SIDNEY – Dale Austin, 90, passed away Feb. 8, 2025, as the result of an accident at home.

He was born in Oakland on April 26, 1934 to Robert P. Austin and Christine (Sweet) Austin. The family moved to Sidney that same year.

Dale graduated from Cony High School, class of 1952. During high school, he worked part-time at Pine State Tobacco.

Dale went on to make his career at Bath Iron Works and graduated from the BIW Apprentice School in 1955. He worked his way through the ranks as a shipfitter, loftsman, and leading man. In 1973 he was promoted to foreman and held that position until 1984. From 1984-1990 he was Special Projects Manager for the Industrial Products Department until his early retirement in 1990.

During this time, he also worked part-time at Hammond Lumber Company in Belgrade designing and building components for a state-of-the-art sawmill and truck bodies.

Dale gave much of his time to the Town of Sidney, serving on the budget, planning, athletic, and road committees. He also served as PTA president for three years, an assistant scout leader, grounds superintendent for the Sidney Fair, secretary for the Center Sidney Fire Department, and was a member of the Sidney Grange for many years.

Dale was the longest-serving member, at 68 years, of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Rural Lodge of Sidney and a Past Patron of the White Rose Chapter of the Eastern Star.

He enjoyed antique cars, was a member of Maine Obsolete Auto League, and even built a replica ‘52 MG.

Dale enjoyed working with steel, drawing, oil painting, bowling, collecting scale model cars, camping, and cooking, often experimenting with new recipes.

Dale was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Theodore Austin and Dwain Austin (and wife Janet); daughter, Polly Austin, and son, Timothy Austin.

He is survived by his wife Maxine of 43 years. He fathered six children with his first wife, Shirley, of 29 years. The surviving children are Janet Desjardins of Augusta, Sharon Soble of Florida, Shari Austin of Virginia, David Austin and wife Linda of Albion, and his adopted daughter, Renee Page and husband Richard of Farmingdale. Dale also leaves behind 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for close friends and family will be planned in the spring.

If you would like to leave a memory about Dale, please do so on the Wheeler’s funeral home website https://wheelerfh.com/ under his obituary.