Dominic DiGuardia. Patricia A. O’Connell. Nancy (Patrick) Wentworth. Maureen P. Guinta.
Nov 02, 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.
Dominic DiGuardia
Mount Desert Island
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dominic James DiGuardia, Jr., 68 on Oct. 26, 2025 at Mount Desert Island Hospital. He was born on Oct. 14, 1957, in Revere, MA., the son of Dominic Sr, and Rita A. (DeMasi) DiGuardia.
He was a mental hygiene therapy aide for the State of New York. After retiring from New York state, he was a garbologist for the town of Mount Desert and later a custodian at George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill. He was also a cook at multiple inns in Bar Harbor and enjoyed a passion for food, both in preparing and consuming.
Dominic is survived by his loving wife of 34 years: Lori MacCrae DiGuardia; mother: Rita Lupo; two sisters: Joan DeMasi and Sarah Hillman and husband John; two brothers: Robert DiGuardia and wife Mary and Richard DiGuardia and wife Mary; many nieces and nephews; dear friends Rosemary and Charles Stephenson, William and Debra Case, and William Herrmann; his fur babies Daisy and Duffy. He was predeceased by father.
A memorial service will be held 1 pm, Nov. 4, 2025 at Jordan- Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert.
Memorials may be made to Mount Desert Island Hospital Auxiliary, P.O. Box 8, Bar Harbor, 04609 or SPCA of Trenton, 141 Bar Harbor Rd., Trenton, ME 04605.
Condolences to the family may be express at JordanFernald.com
Patricia A. O’Connell
Bar Harbor
Patricia A. L. O’Connell, 82, died October 25, 2025, at home in Bar Harbor. She was born May 11, 1943, in Worcester, MA, the daughter of William R. and Vera L. (Rouleau) Leary. Patricia graduated from Massachusetts College of Art, BFA 1965. Following graduation she worked as an elementary school art teacher. She married William F. O’Connell and settled in Massachusetts, before moving to multiple states on the eastern seaboard. They celebrated 58 years of marriage last December 17. She also had careers as a mother, an Academic Language Therapist helping learning disabled children, innkeeper, and as a fine artist.
Pat is survived by her beloved husband, William; her daughter Erin M. (O’Connell) Groppe; her daughter Lauren V. O’Connell and her husband of Bar Harbor; daughter Deirdre L. (O’Connell) Carroll and her husband of Windsor, CO; brother William D. Leary and his wife of South Carolina; sister Sharyn A. (Leary) Hastings and her husband of Bar Harbor; and grandchildren: Michael, Connor, Corbin, Delaney, and Colin.
A wake will be held from 3 pm to 5 pm, Mon. Nov. 3, 2025 at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main Street, Mount Desert, ME. Mass will be at 10am Tue. Nov. 4th at Holy Redeemer Church, Bar Harbor, ME with a reception following. A celebration of life and interment will take place at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA. The family asks that all considerations for flowers or remembrances be directed as donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at https://www.komen.org/donate.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Nancy (Patrick) Wentworth
Bar Harbor
Nancy (Patrick) Wentworth of Bar Harbor, Maine, passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2025, after 96 years of adventure.
Nancy leaves an indelible impression on those who called her mom, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. Nancy’s brilliant spirit, radiant smile, and kind heart captivated everyone who had the chance to know her. Her famous blueberry muffins were a treasure and often delivered piping hot from her oven. She drove her beloved red car beyond the speed limit until the age of 95. She was also a frequent face at yard sales, community suppers, and family gatherings. She always had the guest room ready for family and friends to visit. A passionate gardener and wildlife advocate, she knew the birds and animals that visited her yard well.
Nancy was proud to have worked for BellSouth, now AT&T, as a switchboard operator and then telecommunications administrator until retirement. She and her husband James enjoyed coast-to-coast adventures and travel to visit friends and family.
Nancy is survived by her children and many grandchildren. She also was loved dearly by her nieces, nephews, cousins, and community.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents and siblings, her daughter Anneli, her husband of 51 years James Wentworth, and her close companion and love Chet.
Donations may be made in her honor to Hancock County Hospice, whose patient and loving care helped immensely.
Maureen P. Giunta
Ellsworth
Maureen P. Giunta, 77, died Oct. 23, 2025, at her home on the Blueberry field overlooking Patten Pond. She was born on Oct. 30, 1947, in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of Manuel and Marjorie T. (Matta) Prenda.
Maureen graduated in 1965 from Colt Memorial High School, Bristol, RI. She went to college at University of Rhode Island graduating in 1965 and received her Master’s Degree in English from the University of Maine at Orono. On July 19, 1969, Maureen married the love of her life, Anthony Joseph Giunta. They made their home in Ellsworth where Maureen taught at Ellsworth High School for over 34 years. Fondly known to her students as “Mrs. G”, Maureen was a devoted, respected, and well-loved teacher. Her students were her children. During her teaching career, Maureen and Joyce Whitmore started the Humanitas Program combining both English and History disciplines. They were instrumental in publishing the booklet, Voices on Vietnam, a series of short stories from local citizens who spent time in Vietnam during the war. A copy of that booklet can be located in the Library of Congress.
Making the most of her retirement, Maureen gave back to her community. She was a volunteer at Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County and the Hospice Regatta of Maine. Maureen also served as a board member of Friends in Action. During the holiday season, Maureen served on the committees of the Emmaus Center and the MCMH Poinsettia Ball. For the past seventeen years, Maureen hosted a monthly themed supper for several of her retired teacher friends at her home on the blueberry field.
Maureen is survived by her brother David J. Prenda and wife Kyna; sister-in-law Norma G. Fisher; nieces and nephews: Jennifer Fleming, Scott Kovach, David J. Prenda, Jr., Jason (April) Prenda and Elizabeth Gooding, and her faithful companion for the past three years, Lassie. She also leaves several grand nieces and nephews, and many close friends too numerous to name. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Tony on May 17, 2008, sister Evelyn A. Shaoer, and brother-in-law Charles Fisher.
A Celebration of Maureen’s Life will be held next summer next to the pond where everyone can raise a glass of chardonnay in her honor.
Those who desire may make contributions in Maureen’s memory to the Mary Dow Center to replace the treatment chairs, c/o Northern Light Health Foundation, PO Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402 or Friends in Action, P.O. Box 1446, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
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