Obituary of Arlan C. Dakin

Arlan Charles Dakin passed on May 28, 2010 at Eastern Maine Medical Center after a short illness. He was born on April 18, 1945 in Belfast. He was the son of Arthur and Veneta (Bradstreet) Dakin. Arlan had many talents starting with his love for growing flowers and vegetables in his very large gardens where he supplied family and friends throughout the summer months. He made furniture, wooden ornamental butterflies, needlepoint, Christmas tree decorations. He learned and loved to cook - his specialty was fried clams. He was happy to pick on and tease family and friends. He delighted in buying toys (toys, toys and more toys) for his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching and keeping up on his Red Sox team. Arlan and Sylvia bought a home in Sebring, Florida nine years ago where they snow-birded each winter. He married Sylvia Gushee on June 19, 1965. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard and was disabled in a National Guard accident on August 11, 1968. Arlan and Sylvia started their family with a son Troy and two years later a son Robert. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Veneta, brothers Earl and Albert. Survivors include his wife Sylvia (Gushee) Dakin, sons Troy and Julia, Robert and Holly; grandsons Zach, Sam and Lucas; brother Leroy Dakin and his wife Donna; sister-in-laws Lillian Dakin and Linda Dakin; also brothers Harold and Larry Hawes, sister Carolyn Hawes and step mother Marion Hawes Dakin. He was loved and will be missed by Sylvia's sisters and their families, Gloria Bonin, Dawn Macleod, Rhonda Stark and Laurie Hall. There will be visiting hours on Wednesday, June 2nd at Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 3rd at Swanville Community Church at 11 am with Pastor Rick Lambert officiating. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.