Anthony Phillip “Tony” Sousa. David Ashworth. Jim Owen. Stephen Scott Murphy. Dana Lynne Farley.
Dec 28, 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.
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Anthony Phillip “Tony” Sousa
Bar Harbor
Anthony “Tony” Phillip Sousa, 88, died December 16, 2025, at the MDI Hospital, Bar Harbor with his family by his side.
Tony was born in Boston on May 8, 1937. He grew up in a small town, West Catasauqua, Pennsylvania and attended Whitehall High School. While at Whitehall he played baseball and softball, sang in the concert choir and accompanied the Boy’s Octet on the piano. From the age of six to twenty-two, Tony studied classical piano with Ralf Kemmerer and performed at the Hamilton Music Hall in Allentown, Pennsylvania. At the age of 13, he played piano in polka and dance bands. In his senior year, he won the Eastern Pennsylvania Piano Competition. He was editor of the yearbook and a member of the National Honor Society.
Tony graduated from Lehigh University with a BSCE degree and later did graduate work in structures at Newark College of Engineering. While at Lehigh, he was president of his fraternity, Alpha Chi Rho, and a member of the Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon. He entered the Lehigh ROTC program and graduated as a Second Lieutenant.
After graduating from Lehigh, Tony joined the California Bridge Department in Sacramento. During that time, he completed his active military requirements at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Ord, Monterey, California. He resigned his commission after nine years with the rank of Captain.
At age 25, Tony passed the Professional Engineer’s Test to become a Licensed Engineer. He was assigned to a bridge construction project in Tehachapi. In 1963, he left California to join the Consulting Engineering Firm of the O.J. Porter Company in Newark, New Jersey. During those years he married Barbara Wescott Sousa, and they had two daughters, Elizabeth and Tracy, both born in the Stephenville area of New Jersey.
In 1989, on a visit to Maine, he renewed his relationship with Joanne, and they married at Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove in 1991. He purchased a structural engineering company and he and Joanne ran that business until Tony retired in 2014. During those years he became very active at Church of Our Father where he played the piano for 30 years and was co-chairman of the famous Down East Church Fair. Tony played for services at Birch Bay Village and local nursing homes as well. He was honored by the Mount Desert Island Hospital and Birch Bay Village as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2012 and 2019. He was also honored by the Bar Harbor Rotary Club in 2022, being named a “Paul Harris Fellow.”
He is survived by his wife, Joanne (Salisbury) Sousa; his children, Elizabeth Loree husband, Jonathan, Tracy Sousa, Terri (Buzzell) Costa and husband, Eric; grandchildren, Kayla Elizabeth Loree and Arthur Jonathan Loree; great grandson, Enzo Loree Divito; his brother, Edward Sousa, niece, Terre Oswald and nephew, Steven Sousa. He was predeceased by his parents, Sabine Candido and Ruth (Hamor) Sousa; stepson, Christopher Buzzell and first wife, Barbara Wescott Sousa.
Tony valued his relationships with family and many friends. He was especially pleased that both his family and his brother Ed’s family are so very close, truly a blessing. He believed that he had no unresolved issues with anyone.
A Memorial Service will be held in Tony’s memory on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove. Memorial donations may be sent to “The Tony Fund”, Church of Our Father P.O. Box 186, Hulls Cove, ME 04644.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
David Ashworth
Southwest Harbor
David Ashworth died peacefully at home on December 23, 2025 with his sweetheart Jayne and their beloved daughter Kristen by his side. Dave was born in Massachusetts in 1947, grew up in New Hampshire, studied, lived and worked most of his adult life in Virginia.
Upon retiring from gainful employment, he fulfilled a longtime dream of moving to Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine, where he loved to be active in many of the outdoor activities the island offered (biking, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, etc.) As a lifelong learner, during retirement he participated in courses at Acadia Senior College. He enjoyed attending the excellent live musical presentations that seem to abound on and near MDI. At home Dave enjoyed reading (history, poetry, many types of fiction, technology, …), listening to music (jazz, folk, blues, opera, classical, country, rock, easy listening …), tinkering with technology (he loved Raspberry Pi computers!), and observing celestial objects in the night skies through his telescope, all while watching the Gulf of Maine tides move in and out each day. He was an avid sports fan of teams both from Boston and his alma mater, the University of Virginia. He and Jayne had some wonderful adventures traveling with friends.
Dave was an aerospace engineer by training and profession who loved to fly both as a passenger and with his private pilot’s license. During his career he developed instrumentation to keep aircraft flying, helped to develop a portable evoked response audiometer for use in provider offices and schools, was fascinated by outer space and all that it entails, and ended his career helping to develop machines for gaming.
Dave enjoyed laughing and had many an amusing story of unusual experiences from his youth and college years. He once noted that he learned “never to say no just because you don’t know how to do it,” revealing both his passion for learning along with his impish sense of adventure. His dry wit and gentle wry observations of life kept everyone around him entertained.
In retirement Dave was recruited to work with the Board of the Southwest Harbor Tremont Ambulance Service where he used his data-driven analytic skills and computer skills to help with their needs. He enjoyed working with all the volunteers on the Board and greatly treasured not only the work they did together, but each of them as individuals.
Dave is survived by his sweetheart Jayne, his beloved daughter Kristen (Jay, Maggie, Charlie), and his beloved siblings and cousins: Bill (Pauline), Gary (Emily), Richard (Kim), Mo (Alan), and Karen (Bob), as well as their assorted generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of remembrance is being contemplated at a later date.
Kristy and Jayne are most grateful to Dr. Tanya Hanke of the Community Health Center in Southwest Harbor, Maine; to Dr. Robert Hallowell of the Interstitial Lung Disease Program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts; and to the staff of these facilities for their care, wisdom, guidance, and kindness these last few years.
Dave requested that those who want to remember him make a donation to the Southwest Harbor Tremont Ambulance Service, PO Box 437, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679.
James Milton Owen
Trenton, Bar Harbor, and Hanover, New Hampshire
James Milton Owen (Jim), 82, died peacefully on December 16, 2025 at his home in
Hanover, New Hampshire. His doctors referred to him as a “miracle man” who had survived two major cardiac events, the most recent of which occurred mid-November.
Born and raised in Chicago to John “Jack” Henry Owen and Arline Van Buren Owen, Jim spent most of his life in New England. He majored in economics at Yale and afterwards earned a law degree from Harvard. His first job was as a speechwriter at the State Department, where among other objectionable tasks, he wrote a speech for President Nixon on world peace through world law. He then taught math and economics for two years at the Cambridge School of Weston, where he met his wife Suzanne, whom he married in 1973. Next, he worked for Prudential Insurance’s law department in Boston. Deciding that he preferred to be the captain of his own ship, he purchased Chart Kit/Better Boating Association and grew the business steadily from 1978 to 1995. The company published regional Chart Kits to help boaters navigate more easily. Chart Kits were available covering the entire coast of the United States, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. Entrepreneurial and collaborative, Jim was also a part owner of Riverside Press in Rockland, Massachusetts, Spectrum Asset Management and Boatscape in Boston, and Up Harbor Marina in Bass Harbor, Maine. He loved partnerships with friends, memorably as part-owner of East of Eden in Bar Harbor and several classic boats over the decades.
Jim and Suzanne purchased their first home in Lexington, Massachusetts in 1974, and their daughter Hilary was born in 1978. Six weeks later, the three Owens cruised down the intercoastal waterway from Connecticut to Florida. The Five Fields neighborhood community in Lexington was an idyllic place to call home. The family spent lots of time sailing and cruising out of Marion, Massachusetts to destinations such as Quisset, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
Beyond sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing, Jim loved playing tennis, squash and golf. Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing with every fresh snowfall were also favorite pastimes. An enthusiastic amateur pianist who loved meeting and encouraging young aspiring professional musicians, Jim hosted numerous house concerts in Lexington and in Maine. His love of music led him to join the board of overseers at New England Conservatory, where Hilary played with the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble and the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. He and Suzanne mentored many young international students from New England Conservatory and The College of the Atlantic after retiring to Maine in 2003.
Jim’s and Suzanne’s love of French, Spanish, and Italian spurred them to travel widely. They had lots of fun in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Martinique, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands.
Acadia National Park was one of Jim’s favorite places to explore. Together with Suzanne and Hilary and their many friends, he regularly took in the magnificent ocean views from every part of Mount Desert Island, preferably hosting a boatful and anchoring for a swim and a picnic near a picturesque island far from the madding crowds. When on land, he insisted on having an ocean view, which he often enjoyed at the Bar Harbor Yacht Club and the Causeway Club tennis courts and golf course. He is remembered exclaiming, “Is this beautiful, or is this beautiful?” and “Look at the light on the seaweed.” A born perfectionist, Jim meticulously maintained his houses, boats, cars, and lawns. At home, he was a genial host who loved to entertain dear friends in style. Jim was a gentleman with a generous spirit and a devoted husband, father, and friend.
He is survived by his wife Suzanne, daughter Hilary Goldblatt, her husband Noah Goldblatt, grandsons Rowan James Goldblatt and Wilson David Goldblatt, older brother Charles V. Owen and wife Connie, his twin, William M. Owen and wife Linn, four nieces, and three nephews.
We wish our captain fair winds and following seas.
A celebration of life will be held in summer 2026.
Stephen Scott Murphy
Ellsworth and Bar Harbor
Stephen Scott Murphy, 62, passed away on December 17, 2025, at his home in Ellsworth following a brief illness.
He was born on January 28, 1963, in Bar Harbor, the son of Lawrence “Peenie” E. and Belva D. (Crockett) Murphy. He attended local schools and was an original participant in the MDI Sheltered Workshop, later transitioning to Downeast Horizons programs. Steve lived for more than 30 years at the Downeast Horizons Foster Street home for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Steve worked for many years at McDonald’s in Ellsworth, where he warmly greeted locals and relatives alike. He proudly told everyone he was “making big bucks.” A very compassionate person, Steve loved babies, kids, and had a special place in his heart for cats. He was a collector of family photos, and he liked to reminisce about the past and share about his travel experiences including trips to Florida and cruises.
Steve loved to dance and especially enjoyed imitating Michael Jackson’s moves on the dance floor. He was a huge fan of professional wrestling and closely followed Hulk Hogan’s career. As a young boy, Steve was enthralled with classic horror movies—Frankenstein, Dracula, and zombies of all kinds. He especially enjoyed dining out at Governor’s, where his favorites were burgers and their “8-pound cake” (chocolate peanut butter), followed by a stroll through Walmart to walk off the pounds. A man of few words, “Yeah, that’ll work,” was his usual response.
He is survived by his sister, Tina Barrett, and husband, Monty, of The Villages, Florida; and sister, Sally Auclair, and husband, Armand, of Brewer: Uncle Steve also leaves behind four nieces and nephews: Heather Auclair Welch and husband, Nate, of Plymouth, MA; Erik Hamilton of Summerville, SC; David Hamilton of Scarborough; and Melanie Knarr and husband, Jim, of Scottsdale, AZ. Steve was a proud great-uncle to Nick and Grace Knarr of Scottsdale, AZ. He was predeceased by his parents.
Steve also leaves behind his housemates at Foster Street — MaryEllen, Nancy, and Steve L. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the Downeast Horizons staff who supported Steve over the years.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date to honor Steve’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s memory to the Downeast Horizons Foundation, 77 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04605, or to a local animal shelter.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Dana Lynne Farley
Tremont
Dana Lynne Farley of Tremont, Maine, was born Sept. 20, 1966, to William and Barbara (Noyes) Godwin. Dana lived a life rooted in family, hard work, creativity and a deep love for the natural world around her.
She received her early education at Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor and later earned an Associate of Science degree from Devry University. Dana built a strong and varied career, working at Hitchiner Manufacturing and the Hinckley Boat Yard, and holding many positions across several locations within the hospital system, including office manager for physical therapy in Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor, a role she filled with dedication, organization, and compassion. Her professional journey concluded in Bar Harbor, where she worked in coding as a medical records HIM technician.
Dana was a woman of many hobbies and passions. She loved knitting and crocheting, reading, peyote beading, and found great joy in creating things with her hands. Equally important was her love of the outdoors. She treasured time spent at camp with many friends, especially good friend Barbara, and exploring beaches and forgotten trails with her husband, Gary, and tending lovingly to her flowers. Dana also delighted in the wildlife around her, especially the many creatures she watched over, including her precious little chippies, who brought her endless happiness.
She is survived by her loving husband, Gary M. Farley; sister-in-law, Faye Masterson and her family; daughters, Adrienne and Nicole; cherished grandchildren, Daniel and Alex; sister, Sharon and spouse, Jim Corbett and Sharon’s children, Ron and Holly; sister, Lisa and her family; many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a wide circle of friends who will remember her kindness, warmth, gentle humor and love of life.
Dana will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her spirit will live on in the natural beauty she cherished and in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth, Maine.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, where online condolences may be shared: www.bragdonkelley.com.
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