KENNEBUNK — Richard Gilman Hawes died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 at his home in Kennebunk, supported by family and Hospice of Southern Maine.
Born in 1939, the son of Antoinette Marcille Hawes and Hildreth Gilman Hawes, Dick graduated from St. Francis College and received an MA from University of New Hampshire.
He taught English at Thornton Academy for many years, and was one of the founding teachers of Saco Island School.
An animal lover, he raised and mushed Alaskan huskies with his children, competing in sled dog races all over New England.
After retiring, Dick remained active and engaged. He wrote book-length manuscripts about teaching. He was the proud owner and restorer of a ’53 Cadillac and enjoyed classic car events. He formed a committee to restore and maintain the Paul Revere bell in the Kennebunk U.U. church. He learned to play the banjo and helped form the Kitchen Table Band. He trained his German Shepherd to be a balance dog.
Dick is dearly loved and missed by: his wife, Norma Johnsen of Kennebunk; his son, Christopher Hawes and wife Katie Hawes of Lyman; his daughter, Sara Jones and partner John Leach of Sanford; his stepdaughters, Tanya Seredin and husband Stephen Mohr, and Svea Seredin and partner Stephen King, of Portland; by his former wife, Sandra Hawes of Lyman; and by his grandchildren, step-grandchild, and great-grandchild.
Dick is also loved and missed by his Sea Road neighbors; his teaching colleagues; his dog Aik; and his many friends, especially members of the Kitchen Table Band and the Old Friends at Home Group.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m., at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Kennebunk. Music will be provided by the Kitchen Table Band.
Visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Dick’s guestbook and to leave memories and condolences for the family. Donations may be made in Dick’s name to: Animal Welfare Society (AWS), 46 Holland Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
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