SACO- Irving (Sam) Dennis Soule Jr, age 92, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME. He was born in Biddeford, ME on February 19, 1932, son of the late Irving and Ellen (Berry) Soule. He was a lifelong resident of Saco except during his service in the Air Force in the Korean War where he served with the 67th Fighting Squadron “Fighting Cocks”. He attended Saco schools and graduated from Thornton Academy.
While stationed in Victorville, CA, he met his wife of almost 70 years, Carol Elaine (Dahl) Soule. On November 4, 2023, she passed away in their home. He cared for her until the end.
His work always involved engines of some sort and he had a gift and a love for figuring out how to make them work well. He could fix any type of engine from chain saws, boat motors, autos, tractors, to tractor trailers. If he couldn’t buy a needed part, he made it. While in the service, he was a skilled air plane mechanic. Much of his professional work revolved around tractor trailers and he was a member of the Teamsters Union. He worked at several trucking companies including Maine Freightways, Maine Border Freightways, Quinn Freight Lines, Maislin Trucking, and Waste Management. He finished out his career working as the central garage foreman for the City of Saco Public Works. His love of engines carried over to his hobby of watching NASCAR racing.
Besides being a gifted mechanic, he was skilled at carpentry and electrical wiring. He built sheds, remodeled homes, and wired houses. He loved working on projects and learning new things. In his last few months, he learned to look up videos on his new cell phone to help him repair things. He truly was a jack of all trades and could fix almost anything.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycling, four wheeling, and a great walk in the woods. He was an excellent marksman and it was a rare year that he did not get a deer. He enjoyed watching wildlife and looking for woodland wildflowers in the spring. He often admired his extensive flower gardens and enjoyed harvesting the vegetables from his wife’s garden.
Cooking was also something he excelled at and enjoyed. He made delicious holiday turkey feasts from scratch that you did not want to miss. They often included six or more vegetables, gravy, and homemade stuffing. Fried shrimp and clams were another specialty. He ventured into baking and made excellent blueberry muffins with a hot caramel sauce. He enjoyed grilling because it gave him a chance to be outside too.
Akin to an animal whisperer, he had a way with animals. As a youngster, he had pet crows and an owl. He won over a strong willed, fiercely independent aggressive feral cat into his hopelessly devoted, completely smitten lap cat. Family dogs gravitated to him. He loved animals and the feeling was mutual.
At age 89 he restored his grandmother’s 1933 Chevy Eagle. Besides doing all the engine work, he also primed and painted it. He drove his grandmother to errands in it when he was a teenager. Last year he was able to see it in its first car show, something he had talked about wanting to do for decades. He had a grin a mile wide whenever he drove it and of course he had fine tuned the engine so it purred. He loved old car shows and could often tell you the exact year and model of any antique vehicle driving by.
Beyond all these abilities and gifts, he was a kind man with a great sense of humor. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye that often meant a prank was in the making. He supported his family in any way he could. If you were having a challenging time, he was there for you to help make it better. He was physically strong and extremely active. He accomplished more in a day than most people.
Besides his wife, he is predeceased by his sister Louise (Soule) Hughes, brother Stanley Soule, and daughter, Sherilyn Marie (Soule) Gagnon. He is survived by his children – Cathi Soule, David Soule and his partner Judy Milliard, and Deborah Soule; and his grandchildren – Mark Gagnon and his fiancée Johanna (Josie) Lavender, Chelsea (Soule) Savoy and her wife Chelsea Savoy, and Joel Soule.
As per his wishes, there will be no public service. Burial will be at the South Buxton Cemetery. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
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