Herman Edward Dickey, 73 of Cushing passed away Monday, April 1st following a courageous battle with leukemia. Mr. Dickey had successfully defeated prostate cancer 5 years ago. Born October 4th, 1945 to Georgia Helen Littlefield and Elmer Dickey in Boston Mass, Herman grew up mainly in Massachusetts with many school vacations spent with his family in the Searsport Maine area. He was a sheet metal worker by trade, and a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union. He married his first love, Carol Ford in 1961 and they raised their three children in the Boston area. He enjoyed spending time at Robin’s Pond in Bridgewater and many spontaneous adventures whenever he could arrange them. He was predeceased by Carol in 1982. In 1986, his son James was involved in a diving accident that left him paralyzed. Herman and his daughter, Carol spent the next few years caring for him. He moved to Searsport, Maine in 1989 due to his parents failing health. After his father’s early passing, he stayed and cared for his mother. In November, 1993, he married the second love of his life, Karen Johnson Soiett and made her family his own. Together, they operated Prison View Redemption Center and maintained their farm on Spear Hill in Cushing until it was taken by a fire on July 4th, 1994. They enjoyed many trips to Ram Island off of Searsport, camping, fishing and spending time. Upon her cancer diagnosis, Herman took the courses needed and became Karen’s devoted care-giver through the end of her life in 2009. Herman often described himself as “a jack of all trades, master of none” which was a very accurate description. He had a variety of jobs over the years; giving him a lot of life experiences that he generously shared with his family and friends whenever they needed a hand. Family meant the world to him and if you were blessed to be close to him, you became a member of his family. One of his greatest joys was hosting the annual Dickey Family Weekend every August in Cushing. He loved sharing this time with his extended family and each year brought many new faces. Herman faced many heart breaking events in his life, but he always maintained a positive attitude and shared it with everyone he met. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Andrew Filderman, Dr. William Fabricius and the fabulous team at Pen-Bay Cancer Care Center, their care was above and beyond the normal roll of doctors, nurses and care-givers. Mr. Dickey was predeceased by his wives; parents; his siblings, Nellie Kelly, Jason Dickey, Stan Dickey, Louis Dickey and Edna Burke; and his son, James (Jimbo) in 1995. He is survived by his daughters, Carol Fulmine and husband Gene of Pembroke, MA, and Paula Byrnes and husband, Robert Lawson of Cushing; sons, Thomas Dickey and wife Wendi of Laconia NH, Brian Soiett of Cushing, Robert Soiett and wife Melissa of Waldoboro and Lt. Col. Stephen Byrnes and wife Cathy of Newport NC. He had 16 grandchildren: Kristi, James, Courtney, Nicole, Jessica, Taela, Noah, Dylan, Gavin, Garrett, Zachary, Abby, Renee, Shawn, Ericka and Thea; as well as 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a special niece, Mariellen Curtis and her family of King George Virginia; a special nephew, David Dickey; special friends Doris Hemenway and Blaine Demmons; and his beloved dog, Midnight. A celebration of life will be announced for later this summer. Should friends so desire, donations in Mr. Dickey’s memory may be made to the Bob Gagnon Cancer Fund, c/o Northeast Health, 22 White St, Rockland ME 04841. Arrangements are under the direction of Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME. Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.