Duncan P. Aspinwall

1934 - 2022

Duncan P. Aspinwall

Hanover, NH — Duncan P. Aspinwall passed Friday, September 23, 2022. Duncan was born on October 12, 1934 to Richard Channing Aspinwall and Eleanor (Payne) Aspinwall. He spent his early years in Barrington, IL, where he played football, basketball, and baseball, and became an Eagle Scout. He attended Lehigh University from 1952 to 1956 and graduated with a degree in engineering.

During his college years he met Dorothy Dean and they married in 1956. Duncan then entered the U.S. Army, and together they moved to Heidelberg, West Germany, where he was posted from 1957 to 1959.

In 1962, Dorothy and Duncan settled in Westwood, MA, where they raised their sons Mark, Brian, and Dwight. Duncan volunteered for the local Scouts troop and the Little League.

The family spent happy and adventurous weekends and vacations at their summer camp on Long Pond in Parsonsfield, ME, where Duncan taught his sons to fish, build campfires, canoe, and many other outdoor activities. He also led Team Aspinwall in the construction of a small cabin on the property, which stands to this day.

In 1987, Dorothy and Duncan retired to Falmouth, MA, where Duncan was active in the Church of the Messiah, the Marine Biological Society, and other organizations.

Duncan instilled in his sons a love of the outdoors. He built a cedar strip canoe, a canvas kayak, and became a pilot. He owned an Ercoupe and later a Cessna 172, which he flew roundtrip from Cape Cod to Alaska.

Duncan will be remembered for his generosity, dignity, and integrity. He continued to win admirers until his final days.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, and his brother Richard Aspinwall of New York City. He is survived by his sister, Joy Crawford of Fullerton, CA; son Mark Aspinwall and his wife Leticia Neria of Mexico City; son Brian Aspinwall and his partner Lisa Penberthy of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; son Dwight Aspinwall and his wife Gayle Aspinwall of Hanover, NH; and eight grandchildren: Harry, Bonnie, Diego, Will, Mitch, Henry, Pia, and Lila.

The family wishes to thank Duncan's friends and caregivers at Wheelock Terrace and Bayada. His ashes will be interred with Dorothy's at the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.