1951 – 2015

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Dennis B. Coombs, 63, of Jay, died suddenly of natural causes on Saturday, May 9, doing what he loved; camping with his family and friends.

He was born June 24, 1951, in Lewiston, the son of Winston and Madeline (Chicoine) Coombs. He graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1969, excelling in football and basketball. On April 4, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Nancy Samson, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Hawaii.

He started his working career at his Uncle Kenny’s Gulf station at the age of 12 and then worked for First National stores. Dennis started employment with International Paper Company at the Otis Mill in Jay and later transferred to the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, working on the paper machines. He was eventually promoted to the position of paper machine superintendent, and retired after thirty-four years.

He absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren and they were his life. He was present for their births, and would never miss a special event, from sports, to music, to family events. He and Nancy enjoyed traveling, and the hobby of making wine, sharing it and consuming it. Dennis was a very social person and loved being around people. In his younger years he volunteered for CES ambulance, Jay and Livermore Falls Fire Departments and also coached AYS Sports in his children’s years of playing. He also just liked to putter around the house on his projects. He enjoyed his volunteer work with Androscoggin Home Health Hospice. He loved working with his patients, and they loved him for always brightening their days. This talent carried over to when he played Santa for the local school Christmas concert. In his early years, he enjoyed hunting, four wheeling, snowmobiling and ice fishing. He was a member of the Maple Lane Golf Course and enjoyed playing in the Maple Lane Men’s league and Men’s Travel League.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Coombs, of Jay; one daughter, Carrie Mitchell and her husband, Dave, from Jay; one son, Corey Coombs and his wife, Erica, of Livermore Falls; two sisters, Debbie Finley and her husband, Jim, of Livermore, Dawn Plossay and her husband, Mike, of Monmouth; one brother; Darryl Coombs, and his fiancée, Catherine Ouellette, of Turner; grandchildren, Cody, Cameron and Carter Mitchell, Kyle Coombs, Celia and Morgan McDonald; mother-in-law, Irene Samson of Farmington; brothers-in-law, Roland Samson and his wife, Bonnie, of North Jay, Gary Samson of South Portland, and Maurice Samson and his wife, Donna, of Virginia Beach, Va.; sisters-in-law, Susan Israelson and her husband, David, of Livermore, and Valerie Deckard of South Portland; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Winston and Madeline Coombs; and father-in-law, Raymond Samson.

Messages of condolence may be sent to:www.finleyfuneralhome.com.