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
    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.