Rick Evangelista, R. Dennis Ellis, Julianna Bennoch, George Aitcheson Woolley, Margaret Edith (Wellman) Bundy, Dr. William C. Bromley,
Oct 12, 2025
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks.
We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible and not behind paywalls or at a cost of $500 for people mourning. We’re free.
If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know, and we’ll share it here for you.
Rick Evangelista: “The Way People Should Be”
Southwest Harbor
Richard Carmine Evangelista, 76, of Southwest Harbor began his journey into the afterlife on October 2, 2025.
Born August 17, 1949 to a very Irish mother, Dorothy Beeler, and a very Italian father Sebatino Carmine Evangelista, Rick spent his childhood growing up in Wakefield,MA.
Rick was a self-starter entrepreneur from the beginning, developing a methodical paper route based on fresh bread and other “goodies.” Rick participated in sports with baseball always remaining the Grand Slam of his heart and was a forever faithful fan of the Boston Red Sox.
The widespread polio epidemic impacted Rick as a child when he was diagnosed after telling his father that his legs hurt and was told to “toughen up.” (Imagine the guilt!)
True to Rick’s tenacious manner and limitless determination, he made the best of this experience, enduring treatments at Children’s Hospital in Boston, participating in wheelchair races (with stoplights and all), being visited by Rocky Marciano (the other Italian Stallion), and winning The Cleanest Cabin Award at Camp Sea Haven, a polio camp he had attended. In truest form, he was always leaving a place better than he found it….
Rick leaving people feeling better than he found them was a natural attribute he reflected whether “Across The Island or Around The World.”
Rick graduated from Wakefield High School in 1967 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1968 where he travelled from Basic Training in Fort Dix, New Jersey and onto Ft.Bragg in South Carolina.
It was at that point, at Fort Hood in Texas, that he was written up for damage to property, which was him. It came from getting a sunburn. He was placed on potato peeling duty and there he found himself begging to go to Vietnam!
Forever fond of the phrase “be careful what you wish for.” He didn’t just talk the talk, Rick always walked the walk.
Rick managed to fight his way thru the jungle, all while formulating friendships, being doused with Agent Orange, maintaining his pride for his country in a million ways in thousands of days, and even managed to save a dog from being eaten in a village. Wherever he went, he carried his bravery, humor, wit, and heart (and likely had a beer stashed somewhere).
Upon return from serving, Rick was shocked by the lack of regard directed by his fellow Americans and granted a one-year grace by his dad to transition himself back into civilian life. Rick spent this “R&R” with family and friends and enjoyed anything involving the ocean, digging gems, or hiking in woods. His path led him to the door of another Wakefield native, Elizabeth “Bette” Taylor, and the two were married in 1971 and went on to have two daughters, Jessica and Rebecca.
Rick had managed to climb the ranks at a company called Avon Dispatch over a 10-year span and had been a valuable asset to their growth; however, found himself in a dilemma so very many of us have struggled with, that being the balance of priorities between family and career.
He and Bette set sail up 95 for a trial year, landing in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Rick had a fond appreciation for both the woods and the ocean, so naturally he was rather taken back by the lure of Mt. Desert Island. He had discovered the old Clark’s Southwest Dairy at 78 Seal Cove Road and set up shop for Ryder Truck Rental and founded Norumbega Moving & Storage.
It didn’t take long for him to trip upon an old spring house and inquire to the State of Maine, “What’s up with that?”
Thus, the origination of Mt. Desert Spring Water. Through what he often would refer to as blood, sweat, and tears (ironically a favorite band of his), he grew his babies throughout the years and never ceased in becoming more knowledgeable in both fields, attending movers conventions and becoming a member of both the New England Bottled Water Association and International Bottled Water Association, both of which took quality of standards to the max.
Rick strived to achieve top-notch performance and continued to build his master facility that he once even resided at: staying the course, a slogan from start to finish. Rick was indeed the definition of a self-made man and dedicated father to say the least, but his favorite title of all was “Bampi,” a nickname that stuck as an attempt to grandfather. Joseph Angelo and Mia Mary Elizabeth were the gems he had searched for his entire life and made him shine brighter than any diamond could!
Divorced in 2003, he rekindled an old friendship upon a visit from Dawn Libby Curley, and the two united in marriage October 10, 2015, lasting eight days short of a decade! Rick’s last decade on this earth was spent attending dialysis three times a week and reflecting as he utilized his talents as a magnificent painter, gardener, philosopher, cook, and most importantly, being Bampi!!!
We can’t express enough the emphasis on time spent with your loved ones while you have it. Rick often pointed out that life is not a dress rehearsal and that yesterday is gone, tomorrow is never promised. All we have is today. Make your today count!
Rick was predeceased by his parents, Dot and Sam, and only sibling, his sister Jean Evangelista Masi, and a slew of lifelong friends that we are confident were eager to welcome him to heaven.
He is survived by his wife Dawn “Dawnzi” Libby Evangelista and their “Black Sheep” of the family, Sammy; oldest daughter Jessica “J” Evangelista-Beardan and her husband William “Copus” Beardan; his daughter Rebecca T. Evangelista and partner Anthony “TooTall Tony” Nickerson; his handsome look-alike grandson Joseph “Joey” Evangelista, his fiancée Ajha (“not a bad looking unit”) Stanley and children Liam, Ledger, and great-granddaughter Sweet Stella; and last but certainly not least, the apple of his eye, Mia Casey-Evangelista, who he loved, amazed by her outpouring of beauty, brains, and beyond. He was survived by a very special and dear-to-him niece: Caitlin “CaiCai” McCauley.
Details about Rick’s service will be made available at a later date.
R. Dennis Ellis
Manset
R. Dennis Ellis, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. He was born to Ralph F. Ellis and Velora E. (Beal) Ellis on Aug. 12, 1942. Dennis grew up in Manset but lived his best life on Molasses Pond in Eastbrook, where his specialty was entertaining family and friends. He loved to have lobster feasts where he would professionally prepare each guest’s dish. He enjoyed taking kids waterskiing and tubing behind his boat. A true comedian at heart, if you met Dennis, you would always come away with a good laugh, a smile, and the warm feeling that he cares about you.
As a teenager, Dennis worked as a cook at the Moorings Restaurant along with his friend, Jarvis Newman. We know a good time was had in that kitchen! He worked for Jim Willis at Manset Boat House. In his early twenties, he spent summers as the boat captain for Margaret Newbold of Northeast Harbor where he operated her Bunker & Ellis boat, the Shangri-la, built by his father. After his father retired from the wooden boat business, Dennis had a desire to build a wooden boat with his Dad, which they did nights and weekends to create a 20-foot cruising boat. He enjoyed this experience and went on to create a mold from this boat that became the first fiberglass hull for Ellis Boat Company.
Dennis graduated from Pemetic High School in 1960, from the University of Maine in 1964, and he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut in 1968. He worked as a registered pharmacist until retirement and was selected “Pharmacist of the Year” during that time. He was constantly joking and pranking people at the drugstores where he worked. What gave him the greatest pleasure was making others laugh. After his retirement from pharmacy and boatbuilding, Dennis found a love for working with his heavy equipment. He loved fixing roads, digging holes and helping people with their land needs. He called his business Mid-Morning Construction, because no work was done until after his breakfast at Eastbrook Variety with his good friend, Pete Nevells. And then later in the day, dinner was often served at “Pickle’s” house!
Dennis had many special friends, including Nat and Sugar Fenton, Toby Fenton, Brenda Jordan and her children Keith and Katherine. They were always invited for holidays where Dennis would request blueberry pies from both Sugar and Brenda! Access to these pies was very restricted. He developed a close relationship with Jay Burnside of Colorado. The two shared many years together, working hard on the house at Molasses Pond, but by quitting time, there were many laughs to be shared.
Dennis lost his best friend, Lee Wilber, early this summer. They built their first boat together in the barn behind Lee’s house. We are sure the two of them are together now, laughing and pranking from above. He is survived by his son, Robert Ellis and wife Belinda of Ellsworth, his daughter, Janet Ellis of Hall Quarry, his brother Donnie Ellis and wife Wanda, and their children Shane and Emily Ellis, Anthony and Noelle Ellis, and their families.
Please join us for Dennis’ celebration of life at Harbor Ridge Resort in Southwest Harbor on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 2-4 p.m.
Julianna Bennoch
Mount Desert
Julianna Reddish-Bennoch, 61, passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2025, after a three-year private battle with cancer. She was born February 7, 1964, to Norris and Elaine (Higgins) Reddish.
Julie graduated from Mount Desert Island High School in 1982, received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Orono in 1993, and her Master’s in Special Education in 2001. She began her teaching career at the Surry Elementary School before moving to the Mount Desert Elementary School in Northeast Harbor. She spent the majority of her career at MDES where she was a first and second grade classroom teacher, then transferred to the role of literacy specialist. She impacted countless young lives, not only by instructing the ABC’s, but through teaching them respect and empathy for others. She was a strong advocate for her students, going to great lengths to see they received the services they needed and deserved. She spent the final year of her career as an ed tech at the Connors-Emerson School in Bar Harbor.
Julie’s parents instilled in her a strong sense of community. She served on several boards and committees including the Somesville Library, Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Desert Zoning Board of Appeals, Mount Desert Island HS Board of Trustees and Brookside Cemetery.
Julie is survived by her husband John, daughter Delaney Smith (Nate) of Portland Oregon; John’s daughter Crystal of Ocean Springs, MS, his son Colby (Anna) of Portland, Maine; and grandchildren Dominic and Cameron who lovingly called her Grammy. She is also survived by her brother Ryan and his wife Sue of Cantonm MA, and adored nieces Courtney and Ally that lovingly nicknamed her JuJu. She is also survived by her other children: her pets Ayla, Howard, and Cuppa. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her grandparents, Victor and Ruby Higgins, whom she shared a very special bond, and numerous pets.
Julie shared a love of baseball with her husband and Ryan. During her childhood she enjoyed going to spring training with her family. She loved watching the Red Sox and attended countless games. She shared a love of collecting baseball cards with Ryan and had a card business for a few years called the Collector’s Dugout in Southwest Harbor. She also operated a store in Somesville, The Dugout Deli, in the location her grandparents had previously run AV Higgins Store. She was an avid reader, gardener and especially enjoyed attending concerts. She loved spending time with her family in Disney.
Julie’s greatest joy was raising her daughter, Delaney. Social issues and advocating for civil rights were a shared passion and they attended several rallies and protests in recent years.
The family would like to thank Dr Terri Febbraro and her team at the MaineHealth Gynecology Cancer Care Center in Scarborough for their care and compassion.
A celebration of life will be held November 1st from 12-2 at the Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home in Somesville with a graveside service at Brookside Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hancock County SPCA.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
George Aitcheson Woolley
Bernard
George Aitcheson Woolley of Bethesda, Maryland, died on Oct. 6, 2025, peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones. Born Nov. 18, 1943, he was the son of the late Dr. George W. and Anne C. Woolley. Raised in New York City, N.Y., and Bar Harbor, Maine, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and New York University and spent most of his career working for Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO).
Throughout his life, George was a skilled and enthusiastic tennis player, sailor, and athlete. He was also a founding member of the nonprofit organization MDI Wheelers, dedicated to increasing accessibility to the carriage roads of Acadia National Park to individuals with mobility challenges. He also served as a devoted volunteer teaching assistant at the KIPP DC public charter school in Washington, D.C.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Woolley; three daughters, Jennifer Skinner (Matt) of Milwaukee, Wis., Charlotte Stewart (Blount) of Bethesda, Md., and Nina Ragunanthan (Braveen) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; five grandchildren, Sarah, Isabelle, Cecily, William, and Priya; and his sister, Margot (Gerard Vasisko) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and was predeceased by his brother, Lawrence.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St. NW, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in George’s name to MDI Wheelers, Bernard, ME 04612 (www.mdiwheelers.org) or to Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 (www.friendsofacadia.org).
Margaret Edith (Wellman) Bundy
Great Cranberry Island
Margaret Edith (Wellman) Bundy, age 76, of Sacramento, Calif., passed away on Sept. 14, 2025, from complications related to cancer at the UC Davis Medical Center.
Born to Donald and Frances (Bunker) Wellman, Margaret was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister who loved and drew inspiration from, amongst many things, the islands and harbors of Maine, hiking in nature, and her numerous dear friends. She is survived by her son Lucas H. Bundy, daughter-in-law Laura Merrill Bundy, and grandson Asa Bundy, of Southwest Harbor, Maine; her brother Donald F. Wellman of Ann Arbor, Mich.; her sister Mary Wellman of Bangor, Maine. Also surviving are nieces and nephews: Audra, Angela, and William (children of her late brother William Wellman); Rose and Tad (children of Donald), and their families. In Sacramento, she is survived by close friend and fierce advocate Mary Jess Wilson, and her loving partner of 15 years Tracy Miller, whose children (Rachel, Ben and Cydnee Miller), and grandchildren (Sam, Maggie and Nathaniel Miller) will also miss her greatly.
Margaret was born in Nashua, N.H., on Oct. 8, 1948. With her three siblings, she spent a formative part of her childhood on Great Cranberry Island, Maine, where she later made a home for many years. She attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating cum laude with a B.A. in history. After graduation she found work in the financial services sector and, in 1976, married Robert H. Bundy, a poet and entrepreneur with an MBA from Harvard University. Later, she was a long-term partner of the late Peter Dolliver and lovingly cared for his children and grandson. A longtime resident of Southwest Harbor, Maine, she was an accomplished weaver and cofounded Island Artisans, passionately stewarding local craftsmanship with the cooperative for over four decades. She was also a dedicated employee of The Jackson Laboratory, working proudly for 25 years, and up until her final days, in finance and data management at the lab’s Bar Harbor and Sacramento locations.
A lover of the outdoors and travel, Margaret was an active member of the Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter, logging thousands of miles across California and other scenic countryside domestically and abroad, alongside her friends and fellow adventurers. An avid reader, another favorite pastime was her lively discussions with her long-running book groups. Margaret was additionally a basketball enthusiast, first falling for the sport watching her son play; she surprised many with her vast knowledge of the game. Having a wonderful sense of humor herself, Margaret also seriously loved to laugh, with no one able to make her laugh quite like Lucas, and more recently her grandson, Asa.
The most devoted of kin and a loyal friend, she doted on all her beloveds and was especially looking forward to meeting her granddaughter Muriel Margaret, due to arrive at the end of this year.
Margaret was a spark of light to all who knew her. Her light lives on in all of us. A funeral service will be held on Great Cranberry Island, Maine, in spring of 2026.
Dr. William C. “Bill” Bromley
Bar Harbor
Dr. William C. “Bill” Bromley, MD, passed away peacefully at Birch Bay Village, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on June 7, 1934, in Jackson, Michigan, to Augusta (Raye) and Jack Bromley, Bill lived a life marked by compassion, service, and dedication to both family and community.
He excelled in academics and swimming during his youth and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Summers were cherished at Eastport and Boyden Lake in Perry, Maine—places that would remain dear to him throughout his life.
Bill graduated from Jackson High School and began his college education at Michigan State University, where he was a member of the swim team. He then attended the University of Michigan, where he earned his medical degree. Following his graduation, Bill served proudly for four years as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force at Stewart Air Force Base in New York.
It was during those idyllic summers at Boyden Lake that he met the love of his life, Julie Wass. He persuaded her to attend Michigan State, and they were married on December 27, 1955, in Eastport, Maine. Their life together was rich with adventure and love, as they made homes in Ann Arbor, MI; Hanover, NH; Newburgh, NY; Southwest Harbor, ME; Jackson, MI; and eventually Ellsworth and Trenton, ME.
Dr. Bromley practiced ophthalmology in Ellsworth for 34 years, where he was known for his gentle demeanor and skilled hands. In retirement, his passion for helping others took him to Ghana, where he participated in medical missions and research. Bill and Julie shared a love of fly fishing, golf, cheering on Maine women’s basketball, and traveling to Hawaii.
Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Julie, of 69 years; his brother, Robert, and his sister, Carol Lucy. He is survived by his brother, George; his four children, Jane and her husband, Brian Langley, Thomas Bromley, Steven and his wife, Peg Bromley, and MaryEllen and her husband, Scott Toothaker; 15 grandchildren; 14 great- grandchildren; and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves behind his dear friends the Gifty Obeng-Nyarkoh family.
Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make donations in his memory to the William T. Lucy Scholarship Fund, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469.
Private services will be held at a later date. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Birch Bay Village for their compassionate care.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
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