Dale M. Ames, 83, died after a short battle with COVID on Sunday evening, May 22, 2022. He was born March 1, 1939, in Bar Harbor, son of Howard and Alida L. (Marshall) Ames.
Dale graduated from Bar Harbor High School, completed a tour in the Marine Corps, worked as a Bar Harbor police officer, and graduated from the 22nd Training Troop at Camp Keyes in Augusta, becoming a Maine State Trooper. He spent most of his 20-year career from 1964 to 1984 investigating murders as a member of the former “homicide squad,” which responded to almost every homicide in the state, and retired at the rank of Detective Sergeant.
After retirement, Dale provided private detective services and periodically taught at the Maine State Police Training Academy. Driven by a deep sense of service, he spent much of his time outside of law enforcement giving back as a Shriner, Mason, and Rotarian.
In recognition of his years of career meritorious service upholding the highest standards for the Maine State Police, Dale was named 2017 Legendary Trooper, the highest honor that any Maine State Trooper can receive.
In 1965 he married Jill, with whom he had his two daughters. They divorced in 1973, remaining good friends. In 1979, he married Kit, with whom he shared 22 years of love, partnership, and farming.
Dale is survived by two daughters Andrea L. Ames and partner Douglas Harber of Lamoine, and Wendy L. Ames and husband James Neilson of Ellsworth; grandson Nicholas M. Vazquez and wife Phuong (Amy) Ly of Redwood City, CA; brother-in-law Jack Gilley of Southwest Harbor; sister-in-law Jeanne Gram and husband Bruce of Orono; brother-in-law Larry Vinal and wife Diane of Augusta; sister-in-law Cally Bartholomae and husband Greg of Jefferson; brother-in-law John Vinal and wife Lena of Nobleboro; sister-in-law Heather Vinal of Dudley, MA; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by wife Catherine “Kit” W. (Vinal) Ames (2011); sister Marguerite A. (Ames) Gilley (2017); brother Charles A. Ames (2000); father-in-law Lester Vinal (2009); mother-in-law Willa Vinal (2019); sister-in-law Margaret Grover (2018); brother-in-law Christopher Vinal in 2021; and ex-wife Jill S. (Scribner) Ames (2019).
Dale’s family is grateful to Seaport Village Healthcare in Ellsworth for their care during his last two years and Beacon Hospice Services for their compassion during his last five months.
Dale’s daughters will celebrate his life at a place and date to be announced; all are welcome. To carry on his spirit of service and generosity, in lieu of flowers, they request donations made in his name to a charity meaningful to him.