Carroll Leroy Pinkham, Sr. died unexpectedly April 18, 2018, at his home. He was born in Steuben on April 1, 1931 to Carlton L. and Julia E. (Dyer) Pinkham, Carroll was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Being born on April fool’s day suited Carroll well as he was known for his practical jokes and sense of humor. Generous almost to a fault, Carroll was known to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it; and gained much pleasure when he came across a “treasure” he knew someone needed or wanted. He was a man that always had something to do and no time for standing around. He began work as an adolescent, helping his father lobster fish and other odd jobs. As a 16 year old, he helped fight The Great Fire of 1947. At 17 he joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. He was a fireman on the USS Oriskany CVA-34; the first aircraft carrier to round Cape Horn. Serving for 7 years until 1955, he went on to do many types of work from logging to building bridges. Beginning work at Hinckley Yachts in 1962, he found his calling first as a painter and ultimately as a finish carpenter.

On March 5, 1960, Carroll married Edna L Seavey of Columbia, and they would share the next 58 years together. In 1965 Carroll and Edna moved to Mount Desert Island where they started their own family, ultimately settling into the home where they would raise their children in Seawall. He and his wife spent their time going to visit their families “Down East” every Sunday. When not working as a finish carpenter at Hinckley’s he spent many nights and weekends working at Norman Farrah’s trap mill, or chopping and stacking wood to sell in the summer. In spare moments he could be found in his garage making toys for his kids, a yard ornament for their lawn or a beautiful piece of furniture. His talent attracted many passersby to stop for a photo. Carroll begrudgingly retired from Hinckley’s after 45 years to spend time with his family.

One thing that never changed was his love for his wife. Anywhere you saw him, you knew she was close by. They did everything together from joining the Acadia Area ATV club and riding the trails, to duck hunting, fishing and camping. Every year he looked forward to their drive to Mars Hill to visit friends and buy fresh bags of potatoes to bring back for family. The only time you would find him without his wife was deer hunting season; that was reserved for camp and time spent with his brothers. He always returned home with a deer for the freezer. He went on his final hunt last November; returning with a 6-point buck. Carroll spent many hours after retiring watching and feeding any and all wildlife that came around, including stray cats. Although he had two of his own indoor cats that gave him so much happiness; he fed, named, and built houses for every cat that wandered into his yard. Never one to waste time standing around, he died as he lived, on the go, feeding the wildlife and working in the yard.

Carroll is survived by his wife, Edna of Manset, four daughters, Selena Gordon and her husband Burnie of Hancock; Lisa DeLaittre and her husband William of Bar Harbor; Julie White and her husband Robert of Rhode Island and Vanessa Pinkham and her husband Chris Peterson of Seal Cove and one son, Carroll L. Pinkham, Jr. of Columbia Falls; six grand-children; Nicholas and Katie Norwood, Joshua and Cameron DeLaittre, and Robert and Alexander White and his first and only very special great granddaughter Willow Bousquet. One of nine children, Carroll is also survived by five brothers; Vernon “Bunny” Pinkham , Earl “Perky” Pinkham and his wife Terri, Carlton “CarlyP” Pinkham and his wife Judy all of Steuben, Rodney Pinkham and his wife Marion of Hancock, and one sister Vivian Dean of South Portland. Carroll was predecessors by both parents and three brothers; Herbert and Ivan, William Pinkham.
He will be sadly missed by his family and numerous relatives and friends

A service for anyone wishing to attend will be held at 1pm on Saturday April 28, 2018 at Jordan – Fernald, 113 Franklin Street , Ellsworth. Interment will be immediately following at the Evergreen Cemetery in Milbridge. Donations can be made in Carroll’s name to the SPCA of Hancock County, 141 Bar Harbor Road, Trenton, Maine 04605 or to any animal rescue of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com