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