Tate, Dwight Allen

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Otis

Dwight A. Tate, 85, peacefully passed September 16, 2023, in Otis, while surrounded by his beloved wife, daughter and son. Dwight was born on Christmas day of 1937, son of Lorenzo and Ida (Salsbury) Tate. He was a gift to the world.

Dwight grew up in Otis and spent much of his time playing outdoors with his brothers and sisters, cousins, and friends. He loved nature. Dwight met Joan, the love of his life, in 1960. The story they have shared over the years is on the night they met, they were both supposed to be on dates with someone else, but fate brought them together and 62 years ago, on October 8, 1961, they married.

Dwight enlisted in the Air Force in 1960 followed by the Air National Guard 101 Air Refueling Wing until 1993. He served his country well as a mechanic on planes.  Dwight’s true profession and passion, though, was working as a woodcutter. He loved the woods. He worked at a few companies before striking out on his own. He provided for his family by cutting firewood, rototilling gardens, and later, hauling wood to the mills around Maine with his own pulp truck. Despite a lifelong injury in his neck which rendered him with very limited range of motion, Dwight was a master of backing up any size vehicle and trailer with just the use of mirrors. He was Grit and Hard Working. A Limitation never held him back.

He was a fantastic father. Despite being a man of few words, Dwight communicated many values and lessons through the conduct of his life. Dwight taught the importance of helping others in need, of the importance of marriage and friendships, of the importance of working hard at everything, always doing your best, and appreciating the moments. He conveyed the sacredness of nature through his delight in hearing rain hit the roof, the taste of garden vegetables, early morning sights and sounds, and how big and straight a tree would grow. His pleasures were simple, but deeply profound.

After reflecting on a question, he replied: “I have a great wife. I have a good life and family. I worked a tough job, and I would do it all over again. The same.”

Dwight is survived by his wife, Joan Tate, of Otis; daughter, Kim Carter and her husband, Paul, of Otis; son, Philip Tate and his wife, Lexi, of Winterport; four grandchildren, Sage and Ella Tate of Winterport and Tate and Shaelyn Carter of Otis.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Otis Baptist Church in Otis. In lieu of flowers, Dwight requested that monetary donations can be gifted to The Otis Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Acadia Burial & Cremation Direct, 128 State St. Ellsworth

Condolences may be expressed at www.acadiacremation.com