Dennis R. Hallinan, 82, passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2022 at his home in Boothbay Harbor with his loving family by his side.

Dennis was born on Nov. 17, 1940 in Brentwood, New Hampshire, the son of the late Richard and Katherine (Alley) Hallinan.

Dennis attended local schools in the Boothbay Region and was a graduate of Boothbay Region High School, class of 1958. After graduation, Dennis joined the United States Army where he served until 1961. He particularly enjoyed his time in Germany.

After his time in the Army, Dennis returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Delano, in 1962. He began working in the region for Paul Luke’s shipyard and the Maine Service as a shipping clerk before beginning work with Glenn Rines as a builder. While working for Glenn, he helped build the Town Hall and Tea Shop on Squirrel Island. The skills he honed enabled him to go into the construction business for himself in 1970 before retiring in 2005. Dennis would build many houses around the region during his career. He was also recognized by Better Homes and Gardens for one of his builds, and has the award hanging at the family home. He was meticulous in his craft and made sure that all of the little details were achieved on whatever project he was working on. Even though he was “retired’ Dennis still could be found helping out his son making cabinets or puttering around his shop.

He was a dutiful husband and father and always wanted what was best for his family. He enjoyed coaching his kids Little League and Babe Ruth teams and then could always be found at their sporting events through their high school and college years. He had a passion for sports and loved being able to watch the games over the years.

He was a modest person and never needed any type of recognition. He had a dry sense of humor and a strong dislike of seafood, he was a true meat and potatoes kind of guy. He always looked forward to
Thursday Nights and the weekly poker game that eventually found its way to his shop after being housed at various players’ houses over the years. The camaraderie of the game and the food was something he always looked forward to.

Dennis and Mary enjoyed going out to eat every Saturday with their neighbors, Dave and Judy Eastwood and Barbara Wilson. He enjoyed reading, especially Louis L’Amour’s and Ralph Compton’s western books about adventures of cowboys in the wild, wild, west. He was an avid animal lover, from the ducks he would feed in the pond in his front yard, to the cats he always spoiled at home; animals always had a special place in his heart.

He was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Hallinan, and a son, Erin Hallinan.

Survivors include his sons Richard Hallinan and his wife, Lisa of Boothbay Harbor, Joel Hallinan of Boothbay Harbor; daughter Jennifer Hallinan Marceline and her husband Charlie of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts; grandchildren Cory King and his wife Kenyon of Boothbay, Christopher Hallinan and his wife Lizzie of Boothbay, Benjamin Marceline, Adam Marceline and Kimberley Marceline, all of South Yarmouth Massachusetts; great-granddaughter Kate Hallinan of Boothbay; and brothers Bill Hallinan and his wife Kathleen of Boothbay Harbor, Bob Hallinan and his wife Debbie of Boothbay Harbor.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec, 30 at 2 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home of Boothbay, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, with Lynn Martin officiating.

Should friends desire, online condolences can be left for the family by visiting Dennis’s Book of Memories page at www.hallfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the local animal shelter in his name can be made.