Dr. Gary E. Witham
June 17, 1938 ~ March 27, 2009
ROCKPORT – Dr. Gary E. Witham, D.M.D., died following an extended illness, Friday, March 27, 2009 at his home.
Born in Rockland, June 17, 1938, he was the son of Edwin E. and June LeClaire Witham. He was educated locally and was a 1956 graduate of Rockland High School.
Following high school Gary attended the University of Maine at Orono for two years before being accepted to Tufts Dental School in Boston, MA.
Returning to his native Rockport, Dr. Witham opened his own practice in Camden. While establishing that practice he served as school dentist for several area island schools. Dr. Witham operated his practice for 42 years, retiring in April 2006. He created many happy “smiles” during those years.
On December 22, 2006 he married his best friend and confidant, Carol Ducommun Woodbury in Rockport. Carol remembers her husband as a loving, generous man, devoted father and a fabulous husband.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing. More recently he was an avid reader and Internet researcher. He had an insatiable hunger for knowledge and experiences and lived life with passion that inspired all who knew him. He had a vast array of information at his command and was willing to share it with family and friends who often used him as a resource. He especially enjoyed learning about cars and his friends often came to him for advise about which car to buy.
Together with his wife, Dr. Witham enjoyed a yearly trip to St. Barth’s in the Caribbean, as well as their honeymoon in Paris, France. He also enjoyed the company of his devoted four legged companions “Killer” his Toy Munchkin, “Damien” his Papillion, and “Ali” his cat.
Gary had two children Edwin Marshall Witham and Maxine Alexandria Witham by his first wife Jakelyn Frame Witham. His father Edwin E. Witham and daughter Maxine A. Witham predeceased him. Dr. Witham is survived by his mother June Witham of Rockland; his wife Carol Witham of Rockport; his son Edwin Witham and his wife, Tami of Old Tappan, New Jersey; his brother Bert Witham and his wife, Donni of Tenants Harbor; his sister Jean Carlson and her husband, Richard of Marblehead, Massachusetts; two grandsons, Dean Alexander Witham and Brandon Cole Witham both of Old Tappan, New Jersey; his parents-in-law, Leroy and Marjorie Ducommun of Las Cruces, New Mexico; as well as one niece and three nephews.
At the request of the family no services will be held.
Those who wish may make memorial donations to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice House, c/o PenBay Healthcare Foundation, Bok Medical Arts Building, 22 White Street, Rockland, Maine 04841.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
