David Ashton Holmes passed away at his home on Vose Mountain in Kingfield, Maine, on April 10, 2025, at the age of 95. David was born in Stoneham, MA, on December 6, 1929, the son of Ashton B. Holmes and Alice A. Sheppard of Alstead, NH. He graduated from Vilas High School, Alstead, NH, in 1948, and attended Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, class of 1951. He joined the Merchant Service and then the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. David qualified and served as Chief Engineer on the USS Power DD839. He later became an instructor in the Naval Reserve, which led to an interest in teaching. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1960, with a major in Physics and Geography, and a master’s degree in Secondary Education. In 1970, he earned a master’s degree in physical science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. David served 38 years in public and private education. He was a teacher, principal, or both, at Wayne, MI; Winnacunnet High School, Hampton, NH; Kingfield High School; Mount Abram High School, Salem; Valley High School, Bingham; Kingfield Elementary School; and Carrabassett Valley Academy.

David married Ruth C. Stanley of Southwest Harbor on March 22, 1952. They had one daughter, Faith C. Holmes. David and Ruth were married for 62 years and taught in the same high school for over 20 years. They resided in Newport, RI; Hampton Beach, NH; Ypsilanti, MI; Farmington, ME; and Kingfield, ME. David chose Kingfield as his forever home in November of 1963. He bought property on Vose Mountain in 1964 and began building a log cabin on an old, abandoned cellar hole, without the benefit of electricity, using siding and lumber milled from trees harvested on the property. David and Ruth remodeled “Camp” in 1974 and enjoyed life on the mountain together until her passing in 2014.

David had a lifelong interest in antique cars, especially Ford Models A and T. He drove a Model A for years and restored a 1917 Model T purchased while he was still in high school, eventually selling it back to the great-great-grandson of its original owner. He also collected stamps, starting at the age of 6, and greatly enjoyed blacksmithing with his friend Bill Brown of Kingfield.

David volunteered at the Norlands Living History Center for 25 years and loved playing the role of Capt. Samuel Washburn of Livermore, who commanded several vessels during the Civil War. “Sam” was invited to speak at events and historical societies all over Maine, sharing stories about his life in the 19th century and tales of his famous Washburn brothers.

David was a longtime member of Kingfield Historical Society (KHS) and served many years as trustee and treasurer of that organization. His volunteer projects, large and small, were essential to the preservation of the 1890 Frank Hutchins and Effie Winter House, home of KHS. His vision for a new space to display the KHS tool collection became a reality in 2023, after untold hours of work by David and other volunteers. Other interests included serving 16 years as secretary for Mount Abraham Masonic Lodge #204 and assisting with Bingo and flag burning ceremonies as a member of American Legion Post #61. David served as a Kingfield Selectman for three terms and was instrumental in implementing the 911 system for the town of Kingfield. He was a past director and trustee of Webster Memorial Library, longtime treasurer of Kingfield Senior Citizens, and chief enthusiast of the Monday Cribbage Club.

David married Josephine Dolley Bessey on June 7, 2017. David and Jo were together for 9 years and David’s chief joy in life was spending time with Jo. A close second was working in his woodlot. Quite often, those two joys were combined, and David and Jo could be found deep in the woods, cutting up blow downs, building wood piles, and loading firewood into the old Jeep. They read hundreds of books together, with David reading aloud and Jo relaxing; played countless games of cribbage; attended exercise classes twice a week; and loved watching the deer and birds, especially hummingbirds, outside their window.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Josephine; his daughter, Faith and husband Robert E. Webster of Strong; grandchildren, Brook E. Webster of Strong and Lauren C. Webster and husband Jeremy Sherman of Peaks Island; two great-grandchildren, Guinevere and Braeden; one sister, Beverly H. Armendariz of Lemoore, CA; Thomas C. Bessey of Kingfield; Karen B. Pease and husband Steven of Lexington; Chris Anzalone and husband Chris, of Levant; Peg Bessey of Buxton; Josephine’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and their combined nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by a sister, Priscilla M. Holmes Basson, of Keene, NH.

A graveside gathering will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Kingfield on Sunday, May 18, at 2:00.

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