Maynard Hess

March 14, 1932 - March 6, 2014
Maynard Hess


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Maynard F. Hess, Jr. 81, of Hampstead, NC died with his family at his side Thursday March 6, 2014 at Davis Wellness Center in Wilmington.

Maynard was born in New York City March 14, 1932 the son of the late Maynard F. and Mildred Hansen Hess. He was raised in Woodbridge, NJ, where his high school yearbook referred to him as “a man with a way of his own”. He spent two years in Korea during the Korean War and was influenced greatly by a former teacher who sent him letters, books and playing cards. After his discharge, he took advantage of the GI Bill and went to Trenton State College where he majored in Geography – History. He liked to brag that the boy – girl ratio there was 1 to 7 and he had a great time until he met Ellie Lucaire, his soon-to-be wife of 55 years. Maynard had a 30 year career teaching seventh graders in Fords, NJ while he and Ellie raised their sons Kurt William and Kris Read in Basking Ridge, NJ. In 1997 they moved to Hampstead where they built a home and made new friends, In his spare time he loved reading, bowling, music golf, puttering in the garage and yard, and watching cowboy and war movies.

Besides his wife and sons he leaves behind his beloved daughters-in-law Sally Ganter Hess and Barbara Taylor Hess, and their children Maxwell, Olivia and Madeline of Hampstead, and Cameron and Brooklyn Hess of Whitehouse Station, NJ, and brother Richard G. Hess and wife Diane of Crest Hill, IL., along with Many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday March 11, 2014 at Wilmington Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Pender County Animal Shelter 803 S. Walker Street Burgaw, NC 28425.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • March 07, 2014
    Kurt Hess says:
    Dad: I love you and I'll miss you a lot. I learned many things from you. I learned how a man should treat a lady, how to work hard and why, how to be respectful and polite to the people I meet, and how to persevere/push forward regardless of the circumstances. These are tools I use everyday. I'll always look fondly on the never ending hours on the weekend of us doing your yard, house and landscaping..."Your Way", the German way. I will take care of your things...but it's going to have to be my way! Look forward to being with you again someday.

  • March 07, 2014
    Zita Arn says:
    Kurt, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Zita

  • March 07, 2014
    DAVID J SEVERT, SR says:
    My sincere condolences my buddy. He was truly a great man, friend, father & husband. My love & prayers to all of you.

  • March 08, 2014
    Skip & Norma Sciaretta says:
    Ellie & Boys... We are so sad to hear of Maynard's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy. It seems like yesterday that you were both here in Vegas and he was playing golf with Jack & Skip. We shared so many family milestones/memories from the 30+ years in NJ and the school system. Hold on to your Memories...they are precious.

  • March 08, 2014
    Amy & JoAnn Palazzo says:
    JoAnn and I were shocked to hear about Maynard. He was on the same bowling team as I but he did not bowl many games with me. Sincere sympathies to the Hess family. We are former New Jersey people too. We are saying prayers for him and his family. Amy and Jo Ann Palazzo

  • March 08, 2014
    Janet & Jack Keppler says:
    Ellie, Kurt, and Kris............and all the rest of the family too, Please accept our sympathy on the passing of Maynard. We all have so many fun and good memories of the times we spent together in Basking Ridge as well as in NC. We have been through happy and sad times together. Please know that we are thinking of all of you at this sad time.

  • March 08, 2014
    Bradley Norris says:
    Kris,Kurt and Mrs. Hess, Sorry to hear of your loss. Hearing the news brought back some great memories of growing up in Basking Ridge. We have all moved on, but the Hess family was a huge part of our lives and will not be forgotten. Sincerely, Brad, Kristina, Brayden, Brianna, Dalton Norris

  • March 08, 2014
    PAUL & LEE LAUSTSEN says:
    Our deepest sympathies to Ellie and the family on the loss of Maynard. We keep you in our prayers during the days that come, and offer our assistance to you in any way needed.

  • March 07, 2014
    Lewise Lucaire says:
    We will bring our love and caring with us for the funeral on Tuesday. Maynard was the best brother-in-law anyone could have. So loving, so caring and so steady and true. Maynard always knew what was right and his loyalty could always be counted on. We will all miss him so much. Much love to you all.

  • March 07, 2014
    The Smiths says:
    Kurt, Sally, Max, Livy and Maddy We are so sorry for your loss. Hold tight to one another and the beautiful memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Tammy, Joe, Reaghan, Madison and Joseph

  • March 07, 2014
    Scott and Sarah Sykes says:
    To Kurt and your family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the coming days and weeks be a time to remember the wonderful memories shared. May God be your great comforter in the coming days. God Bless You all. In our prayers, Scott and Sarah Sykes

  • March 09, 2014
    Karen & Hal Pitts says:
    Ellie, You and your family are in our prayers... I will miss seeing Maynard in the yard! Call if you need anything..

  • March 20, 2014
    Maureen McLaughlin Bucchere says:
    To a very special man, teacher and friend: You were such an inspiration to me as a "teacher" and a joy, as well as a privilege, to have you as a "friend." When you died, a part of my early past died with you, and I can't tell you how very sad that made me. We are so fortunate to be able to create some wonderful memories, and I am so grateful to have you as part of mine. To Ellie, Kurt and Chris, you have my deepest sympathies, and "thank you" for sharing him.

  • March 07, 2014
    Lona says:
    So sorry Hess family for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Maynard and you all and feel so grateful that I had a chance to see him this summer. One day your sadness will be overturned by the wonderful memories that you have of a wonderful husband, father, man. Celebrate his life, he had a good one with his wonderful family! Take care! Love you all. Xo Lona Wheeler

  • March 07, 2014
    Frank Ansede says:
    Expressions of Sympathy Frank Ansede has sent this Expressions of Sympathy card.

  • March 07, 2014
    Ed Sentman says:
    Sorry for your loss. Anything I can do let me know.

  • March 30, 2014
    Ginny Ehrlich Plihcik says:
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Hess. I had the pleasure of being one of his students in Fords Junior High in 1971. Your husbandfather was the best teacher I have ever had. He shared his love of history with the class and made it fun! We had to work in the class but he made history enjoyable. I will never forget the impact he has made on my life. He was a great man and teacher. Sincerely, Ginny Plihcik

  • March 07, 2014
    Gwen & Phil Porter says:
    Our hearts are broken to learn of Maynard's passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, Ellie, and all of your children and grandchildren. He was an amazing man who touched us in many ways during our time in New Jersey.

  • March 28, 2014
    Hampstead Auto Center says:
    With Deepest Sympathy.

  • March 13, 2014
    M. Deheck & J.T. Fuqua says:
    Knowing Maynard mostly from bowling, I'm sure he is enjoying 300 scoring games every day of the week. He once told me that if Ellie had let him, he would have bowled every single day. His friendship and bowling encouragement were greatly appreciated and he is missed. Thinking of all of the Hess family with our sympathy, Terry and Mary

  • March 13, 2014
    Melinda Hosh-Miller says:
    My deepest sympathies go out to the Hess family on their loss. Mr. Hess was my Geography teacher when I was in 7th grade, and during a difficult transition in my life. He challenged me to apply myself, and I did, which really helped me get through a difficult time. He was an extremely gifted teacher and someone for whom I had a tremendous amount of respect. I remember him very fondly, and I do not think I will ever forget the mark he made on my life. He was one of the best teachers I ever had in my entire life.

  • March 12, 2014
    audrey zsorey glusczyk says:
    so sorry, condolences to the family. I had mr. hess as a history teacher in fords, nj. I was very quiet and wouldn't ever raise my hands. he would call on me because he knew this. he would ask me funny questions like when was the war of 1812 fought and I still wouldn't answer. still brings a smile to my face. will never forget him. what a wonderful teacher.

  • March 12, 2014
    Marie Kaltenbach says:
    I'm another student from Fords Jr. High in the 60's. Some teachers remain in your heart and mind for all the right reasons. My sympathy goes out to the Hess family on the loss of a good man.

  • March 12, 2014
    Rose Ann Johnston Behlert says:
    I was in the 1st 7th grade ever in Fords Jr. High. This sad news has me in tears, after all these years. Please take comfort in knowing that Mr. Hess touched so many lives so positively. I'm so sorry for your loss.

  • March 12, 2014
    Judy Goldowsky Warren says:
    May you be comforted knowing all of the great memories and wonderful education that "Mr. Hess" so willingly gave to generations of students at Fords Jr. H.S. He made his students feel smart and important!

  • March 12, 2014
    Linda Weber says:
    Mr. Hess was one of my favorite teachers at Fords Junior High! He had the perfect balance of teaching skill, humor and the ability to control us unruly 7th graders. Sad to hear of his passing - my condolences to his family.

  • March 12, 2014
    Cindy Hathaway says:
    Condolences and sympathy to the family. I had Mr. Hess in Fords Jr. High in 1966. He was such a wonderful teacher. He actually made me enjoy history! Rest in Peace. Cindy Hathaway (former student)

  • March 11, 2014
    Ana says:
    I am so sorry for your loss. Although, I do not know your family personally, I would like to share some encouraging thoughts from the Bible. The Bible provides comfort during these difficult times. Revelation 21:3-4 states, And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. Very soon now, we will never experience losing our loved ones in death. May these words give you a new hope.

  • March 12, 2014
    Barry Friedman says:
    He was one of the greatest teachers ever. He had a tremendous impact on all of his students!

  • March 10, 2014
    Jane Crowder says:
    We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. John and Jane Crowder

  • March 09, 2014
    Leslie Averitt says:
    I knew Maynard from bowling at Beach Bowl on the Senior league. He was a wonderful gentleman and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him. My sincere condolences to your whole family.

  • March 09, 2014
    Hazel & Burt Perinchief says:
    We are so thankful for our friendship of more than.55 years. We pray the whole Hess family will find comfort in these days of grief and transition. Blessings, Hazel and Burt