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Anthony DYER Obituary
DYER, Anthony M.
Anthony M. "Tony" Dyer, 74, of North Berwick, Maine, passed away Thursday, (September 19, 2013). He was born to the late Ruth Magee Dyer and H. Kendrick Dyer of North Berwick, Maine, and Middlefield, Connecticut. Tony grew up in North Berwick where his family and friendships contributed to his strong character and his childhood adventures were a lifetime source of captivating stories. He was an avid sportsman and spent many happy hours in the Maine woods. He leaves a daughter, Rachael E. Dyer; sister Pamela D. Bridgeford of Mansfield Center, CT; sister and brother-in-law, Gretchen and Joseph McEvoy of Cromwell, CT; niece Rebecca Opher, husband Albert Opher and their children, Albert, Olivia, and Camille, of Kennett Square, PA; and nephew Matthew Bridgeford, of San Pablo, CA. Tony graduated from North Berwick High School in 1957 and served in the United States Navy. He graduated from Aroostook State Teachers' College and Wesleyan University. He taught social studies and history in Regional District 13 in Middlefield/Durham, Connecticut, until his retirement in 1999. A master storyteller, Mr. Dyer made you feel like you were part of an historic event or childhood escapade. He will be remembered for encouraging students to be independent thinkers. He will also be remembered for his signature bowties. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the D.A. Hurd Library, 41 High Street, North Berwick, ME, 03906 and/or First Congregational Church of North Berwick, P.O. Box 565, North Berwick, ME, 03906.
A memorial will be held on October 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of North Berwick. Tony's family also invites you to share stories or condolences at his Memorial Website: http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/TonyDyer/homepage.aspx Arrangements are in the care of the Johnson Funeral Home 26 Market St. North Berwick, ME.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anthony DYER
Starr (Mary) (Gibbs) Hillhouse
November 24, 2013
He made history come to life. I had him for History and Home room. He kept the classroom alive. He was my most favorite teacher I have ever had in my whole life.
Starr Gibbs Hillhouse
Deanna Shickel
November 14, 2013
Just last week my 11 yr old asked who my favorite teacher was...I told him all about Mr. Dyer and why I have not forgotten the stories and the life lessons...thank you Mr. Dyer!
Dawn DeMeo
October 21, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I loved Mr. Dyer as a teacher. His stories caused me to fall in love with History. I have vivid images of battles and conflicts and various time periods - all told in Mr. Dyer's fascinating manner. I am a teacher now and try to sprinkle my teaching with stories, desperately hoping some of them will hit home/stick the way his stories did with me. He certainly left his mark and there is nothing more powerful someone can do in this world than to positively touch the lives of so many. Thanks for the contribution, Mr. Dyer!
Anthony Mills "Tony" Dyer
October 5, 2013
Cynthia Guarino
October 4, 2013
Tony was a fantastic personality.. He will be missed!!!! A man who continued teaching us history long after his retirement.
Donald Smith
September 30, 2013
With much sadness my family and classmates send our condolences to Mr. Dyers family. He inspired us, raised our curiosities about history, and shared his love of the outdoors with all who liked to listen, even a "worm-gobber" like myself. He verbally conveyed with pure eloquence the beauty of fly fishing. He lead our "field and stream club" at Coginchaug Regional High School, in the sweet days of yester-year when we all could get together after school and have a "proper" target match. He taught us all to shoot a little better and appreciate the beauty of nature. His lecture on "Ceasars Palace" will never be forgotten, nor the shock of its truth. The Shelby Mustang he drove will cause him to live in his students admiration and envy for the rest of our lives. Thank you Mr. Dyer, and as you would say to us "God-speed". May heaven hold scores of "keepa trout", and your trusty weatherbys' bullet always find its mark. You will be missed by the fortunate ones who have known you.
- Donald Smith, Middlefield, CT, Coginchaug Regional High School class of 1989
Bill Fowler
September 28, 2013
My Friends, My Relatives, and My fellow Classmates have said it all.. Mr. Dyer was my teacher when He first started teaching in the mid 60's ,a good Teacher , A good Man...
Gretchen , My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family...
Joe Konefal
September 28, 2013
Mr. Tony Dyer was one of the most influential teachers I had ever had growing up in Middlefield. He made history come alive with his historical stories about the Native American Indians in the Northeast. Besides being a great teacher, he was the boy scout leader for Troop 33. He will be sadly missed.
Stephen Chowaniec
September 28, 2013
I remember older kids talking about "Mr. Dyer" and couldn't wait to have him in Memorial School. Thats when he moved to Coginchaug and I had to wait another 3 yrs. Almost glad, for the added anticipation only fueled my appreciation for his teaching style and how he would literally go into character to make historical points (waving his stick, staring at you for reaction, etc) Rest in Peace Master Dyer, you earned it.
September 27, 2013
Thank you for your service.
Kathy Fowler
September 27, 2013
How fortunate were the children of Middlefield/Durham just to experience Tony Dyer's presence. I remember wishing he were my teacher. His booming voice could be heard through out the entire Jr. High wing at Memorial School. My older brother would come home with some great stories. He was a one of a kind gift. Heart felt sympathy to the entire family.
Dick Notarangelo
September 27, 2013
An occasional filmstrip or 16mm film were the classroom resources in 1965. Yet with a simple piece of chalk "Mr Dyer" was able to make events in history come alive. I saw him again in the late 1990's and he not only remembered me but the names of many of my classmate.
He was a great teacher who genuinely cared about his students. He will not be forgotten.
Karen Fischer
September 27, 2013
I was lucky enough to have Mr, Dyer in 8th grade than as I moved to high school he did to and had him as teacher in 9th grade to. More than just an avid storyteller, he took a personal interest in his students lives. I will always be thankful that I had him as a teacher, he gave me a passion for history but most of all he gave me the tools to be me..He will be missed, loved and forever engraved in my memories, a teacher like no other.
Patricia McNeish
September 27, 2013
Mr. Dyer was one of the best teachers I ever had. May he rest in peace.
David Tokarz
September 26, 2013
Glad to have had Tony Dyer as a teacher!
Amanda (Braun) Hartwig
September 26, 2013
Mr. Dyer will be missed. I am glad I was blessed to have him as my teacher. The stories he told are so memorable. Rachel, I am sorry for your loss.
Dawn Desrochers
September 26, 2013
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a great man with a great personality and a big, kind heart. He will be missed by many.
Eddie Fredericks
September 26, 2013
What an amazing person he was and how lucky I was to have had him as a teacher. I have so many memories of his classes, listening to his stories and how he made history so much more exciting than a textbook. I remember how he taught me to write and take notes and then getting to college and thinking of his class as one of the only ones that really prepared me.
More than anything though, I definitely remember the care he gave as a person. On many occasions he went to bat for me when others were quick to write me off. He really helped me to see the better person inside of myself and not the idiot facade I had up.
It's really amazing how much a teacher can have an impact on so many kids. I wish I could join everyone at the memorial and talk about Tom Sawyer and the fishing hole and the big whooping stick he had up on his black board!
Doug Wall
September 26, 2013
Mr. Dyer was a great teacher and person. He always looked out for his student's best interest and made you think. Unfortunately, there were too many that did not understand or appreciate his methods and style. There will definitely never be another like him.
Melanie Montagnon
September 26, 2013
Rachael & Family ~ take comfort in knowing that Mr. Dyer's legacy will live on in the copious amounts of lives he touched. I was so blessed to have been a student in his class, and in turn, inspired by him. He has been my mentor in my professional life and I continue to tell my own students about the infamous Mr. Dyer every single year. May he rest peacefully now.
September 26, 2013
Vedi, vidi, vici
Brett Bermani
September 26, 2013
Although I never had Mr. Dyer as a teacher, I will never forget the stories during Rod and Gun Club. He was an amazing man with an enourmous personality. The world was better with him in it! My prayers and condolences to his family.
Mary Beth Ruede-Johnson
September 26, 2013
My deepest condolences to the family. I feel privledged to have had Mr Dyer as a history teacher in 8th grade. I will always remember him for the way he brought history alive for all of us. He was a great teacher and will be truly missed.
Christine Augeri
September 26, 2013
Mr. Dyer was a true legend. I feel very fortunate to have had him as a teacher. He influenced every one he came in contact with. To this day, I can still hear his booming voice and remember the stories he would tell us. Viking history was my favorite. RIP!
Scott Mokoski
September 26, 2013
Tony inspired many generations of his students. I am thankful to have been one of them.
Susan Perrotti
September 26, 2013
Racheal, you and your family are in my thoughts. I have not see Tony since Ruth passed but he has been in my thoughts. Tony and your grandmother, Ruth and grandfather, Kendrick shared their love for Maine & their home with me many times. I will always cherish the time spent with them.
Patty Zimmer McDermott
September 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Dyer shaped so many young people over the years and I'm confident in saying he was also a favorite teacher to just as many. He will live on in our memories and every time I give my children, 'the hairy eye ball', I will remember him and smile. Rest in peace Mr. Dyer.
Anne Kerschner Schubert
September 26, 2013
Rachael, Gretchen et al--
Sincere sympathy from the extended Kerschner family to all of you.
Such a great next door neighbor in Durham, wonderful colleague of Mom's at Middlefield Memorial School, and, yes, master storyteller! Tony was all these things and more. I remember especially his hearty laugh and how he got us to laugh with him. And then there was his teaching our kids that the fruit tree in our backyard was a pey-ah tree. I haven't seen Tony in years, but his memory makes me smile, and I'm sure I am not alone.
Marcia Pendleton-Sacco
September 26, 2013
Tony Dyer was a commanding presence with a booming voice, infectious laugh and mischievous grin. Although he was my teacher, I always thought of him as Gretchen's big brother. Raised by wonderful parents with common sense, values and an awareness of the basic necessities of life, the Dyer children were instilled with character, integrity and ethics. Life is about quality not quantity. As a teacher, Tony gave his students a closer respect for history, bringing it to life. He made it interesting to even the most resistant student (that would be me). With a relaxed nature, Tony enjoyed what he did...enriching the minds of youth preparing them for their future by connecting them with the past. The choir in Heaven just got a lot louder.
George Fogg
September 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Tony's family. He was a good friend of mine at Aroostook State Teachers College. We had many good times.
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Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services - North Berwick26 Market Street P.O. Box 475, North Berwick, ME 03906
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