Dennis M. Wooster passed away unexpectedly Aug. 12 surrounded by family and friends at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Born on March 19, 1948, in Rockland, he was a son of the late Milton H. and Ruth A. (Young) Wooster.
Dennis was a graduate of Rockland District High School, a member of the class of 1967. Following his graduation from high school, he continued his education at Machias State Teachers College and received a bachelor’s degree in education. After receiving his degree he began his teaching career in 1972 at Medomak Valley High School, where he taught for more than 32 years including drivers’ ed, retiring from MVHS in 2004. He went on to work other various jobs after retiring from teaching. In 2008 Dennis was elected to serve his community on the RSU #40 School Board and was still serving currently.
Dennis enjoyed watching, playing and umpiring games. In 1965 he umpired for the first time in a Little League game. In 1967 he became a member of K-L-W Umpires Association; he umpired his first state championship game, which was a Little League game in Bath in 1971. Dennis was awarded the Ellsworth W. Millett Award in 1981. Following this award in 1982, an engraved brick was placed with others at the Little League East Regional Headquarters for significant contributions to Little League Baseball. Dennis umpired for over 51 years in countless playoff games, district and state championships at all levels from Little League to Babe Ruth and high school. He also umpired for multiple softball games.
Dennis felt very fortunate to umpire at “some of the best ballparks in Maine” including Hadlock Field, Mansfield Stadium, and Mahaney Diamond. One of his fondest umping memories was when Bill Lee came with some of his friends and played a local group as a fund raiser.
Dennis coached varsity girls basketball for seven seasons for Medomak Valley. His 1977-78 team went 18-0 and was West Class B Runners-up, and is Medomak’s only girls basketball team to go undefeated in a regular season. His career record was 84-34 and his teams made the tournament every season except one.
Along with umpiring and coaching, Dennis also did the announcing for the Eastern Maine Class B Wrestling Championships which Medomak hosted several times. For the next 27 seasons after retiring from coaching he returned to run the clock and announce all the home games for Medomak Valley High School from 1981 until 2007. He also co-hosted a local television show called “Sports Nuts,” with the purpose of promoting local student athletes and school athletic programs.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by younger siblings, brother, Daniel Wooster, and sister, Doreen Wooster.
Dennis is survived by daughter, Amy Wooster; granddaughter, Courtney Wooster, both of Warren; brother, David Wooster and wife Nancy of Warren; niece, Catherine Wooster and companion Chris Bennett, her children Ashley Wooster and Abigail Harris; and many other close friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a service to celebrate Dennis’s life at 1 p.m., Fri., Aug. 18 at Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Pastor Tom Rawley will officiate. Interment will be in the family lot in the Pleasantville Cemetery in Warren.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Dennis’s memory to the RSU #40 Athletics, P.O. Box #701, Union, ME 04862.
Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
