Charles L. Spalding ’72

Charles “Chuck” Leland Spalding, loving brother, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on September 19th, 2021, with family by his side. Born on March 6, 1949, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick to Leland Murl and Joyce Gloria (Robinson) Spalding. Passionate about music, Chuck taught himself to play guitar in high school – spending endless hours in his room until he felt he was “Stage Ready”. He played for various groups, perhaps his favorite, “The Handsome Four” but enjoyed playing at gatherings around a campfire the most.

Chuck’s family moved to Kentucky when he was 2 years old but returned and settled in Maine in the 50’s where he grew up and eventually bought his home in Dedham on beautiful Phillips Lake, with the very best beach in the State.

He graduated from Orono Highschool in 1968 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Maine Maritime Academy. A proud Mariner and adept to all things mechanical, Chuck worked his way up to Chief Engineer, leading with knowledge and integrity. All who worked with him could attest to his ability to lead by example.

After sailing for 20 years, Chuck retired from Sabine and opened (what should have been famous) “Diggity’s Dogs” in Bangor where you would find his one-of-a-kind breakfast waffle sausage dog, along with the best hot dogs in town.

Deciding to get back to his former love of Engineering, Chuck was hired by the University of Maine as the facility’s Steam Plant Lead Engineer. This position led to many wonderful friendships and a love of watching the UMaine Hockey team and feeding the crew “Slap Your Mama Chili” dogs on special nights.

Chuck retired from his third and final career in February of 2021 and was quick to take a month-long road trip out West where he was able to check a multitude of items of his Bucket List.
Chuck was incredibly smart, funny, talented and generous, but he will be most remembered for his incredible devotion to his Family. He was always present at every baseball, basketball, and soccer game, birthday parties, theater performances, concerts and camping trips….with plenty of snacks.

He had a passion for the Classics: classic songs and cars. His ’56 Chevy was a project that he and his sons, Sean and Kenny, worked on together, and he loved the quality time spent with them as much, if not more, than seeing the progress made.

Chuck’s sense of humor lifted the spirits of everyone around him and he always had a quick-witted response to just about anything. A man who would literally give the shirt off his back or go without to make someone else a little more comfortable – that was him to his core.

Chuck is fondly remembered by his family: Children: Sean Varney and his Wife Rhonda, Racheal Ceban and her husband Matt, and Kenny Spalding and his wife Chelsea. His brother Ken Spalding and his wife Candy, his sister Judy and her husband Ron, grandchildren Dylan, Tenley, Grayson, Tyler, Nola, Cade and Emmy. Loved by many nieces and nephews and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 1051 River Rd in Bucksport, Maine on Saturday, October 9th at 11:00 a.m. This will be an outdoor event.

In lieu of flowers, a jar will be at the Celebration of Life for Chuck with all donations going toward the continued maintenance and operation of the Lombard Log Hauler at Leonard’s Mills in Bradley, Maine. A place where he volunteered his time to help demonstrate the log haulers operations during the living history days events.