CONNOR TWP, Maine – Dale L. Ouellette, 58, of Connor, beloved husband of Belinda (Wilcox) Ouellette, slipped into the arms of Heavenly angels on August 18, 2017 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with grace, dignity, and faith. Belinda was at his side, and he was surrounded with the prayers and love of his family, friends, co-workers, and countless young men and women from The Caribou Middle School in Caribou, where he worked as an Industrial Arts teacher for the last thirty-eight years.
Mr. Ouellette, “Mr. O” leaves behind a legacy of dedication to the career of teaching and will be remembered as one of the finest educators in the history of the Caribou Middle School. Mr. Ouellette cherished every student who crossed his path during his thirty-eight year tenure, and treated each of his students with respect; always focusing on the potential for success. Many of his students went on to become contractors, photographers, welders, machinists, steel workers, and carpenters. He introduced his students to a world beyond today’s traditional careers; emphasizing the fact that not all are destined to become lawyers, doctors, stock brokers, or bankers. Some have a different calling and it needs to be nurtured and valued. Mr. Ouellette expanded the options for his young prodigies, and for that he will always be admired.
Dale was born in Connor on July 15, 1959 to Percy Ouellette and Mildred F. Damboise Ouellette. He was predeceased by his father, Percy Ouellette, his twin brother, Danny G. Ouellette and various other family members.
Dale attended the Connor School, in Connor, as well as the Caribou Junior High and Caribou High School, where he graduated in 1977. He went on to Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Presque Isle, and the University of Southern Maine, where he got his degree in teaching Industrial Arts. At the age of 21, Dale began his teaching career at the Caribou Middle School under the direction and guidance of Robert Moulton. In addition to his teaching career, Dale also worked while in high school and college at various places including McDonald’s, where he made not only hamburgers and fries, but also long lasting friendships and cherished memories. He also worked during school vacation at various farms in his neighborhood, several construction businesses, and even as a mechanic for a local car dealership. Dale loved to refurbish and paint vehicles, all jobs he did within his own garage. Because of his mechanical skills, he was often asked to work on small engines, snowmobiles, tractors, and lawnmowers. When all else seemed to fail, Dale’s friends and co-workers would turn to him for solutions and he never disappointed them; he would find an answer to the problem.
Dale had a fondness for John Deere products, and owned all of the finest John Deere equipment available, including two John Deere tractors. He was an avid snowmobiler at one time and owned a white Polaris snowmobile that was fine-tuned and always ready for a challenge.
In June of 1995, Dale married Belinda Wilcox and they shared twenty-two years together in their home in Connor. Dale designed and assisted in the installation of Belinda’s “dream kitchen” in 2001, and in 2010, they purchased three acres of land in Caribou and shared the hope of one day building a house there; a dream that did not come to fruition but nonetheless gave Dale great pleasure. He landscaped the property, pruned trees, and made sure everything was in fine shape and ready for that house to be built. Though the house will not be built by Dale and Belinda, it is their hope that one day a home will occupy that beautiful property and bring great joy as it was intended.
Dale and Belinda loved to travel and visited the Carolinas several times. On weekends and hot summer nights, you would find them exploring the very familiar territory surrounding their home; riding in Dale’s truck with Barney in the back.
Dale was a devoted son, who watched over his mom and dad throughout the years. Though Dale is no longer here with us, he has been assured that his mother will be loved and cherished and protected for the remainder of her life.
Dale, a phenomenal cook, was famous for his elaborate Thanksgiving feasts and he is credited with making the very best dressing on the planet! He enjoyed home improvement shows, as well as cooking shows and his ultimate favorite: car restoration programs that featured muscle cars and antique classic roadsters. At one time, Dale owned a 1967 442 with an engine he designed that would cause the earth to tremble.
Dale is survived by his wife, Belinda, his mother Mildred, both of Connor, and his sister Darlene Ouellette, of Glens Falls, New York. He is also survived by his niece Laura Smith and her daughter Sadie, and a nephew, Jeremy Ouellette. Dale and Belinda have been blessed with a Goldendoodle named Barney Rubble, who has brought Dale great joy and devotion.
Friends and family may call at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, on Wednesday, August 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held the next day, Thursday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Dale Ouellette’s family would like for donations to be made toward purchasing a plaque with Dale’s name and years of service to the Caribou Middle School, to be placed in the entrance of the new Caribou school once that school is completed. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
