Carl Bennett Hussey

Carl Bennett Hussey of Cumberland, ME, the beloved husband of Nancy Gail Hussey, died on May 18, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME. He was 82 years old.

Carl was a man of extraordinary empathy and humility with an unmatched moral compass and a deep contentment in the happiness of others. He was born on December 14, 1942, in Lynn, MA, to Frederick Morton Hussey and Anna Beatrice (Bennett) Hussey. Fred worked at General Electric, and when he left home to serve on the USS Intrepid – a Navy aircraft carrier fighting in the Pacific Ocean during World War II – Anna brought Carl to Lancaster, NH, to live with her parents.

Lancaster was home to Carl and his younger sister, Jane Sanborn (Hussey) Roberts, whom he cherished for his entire life. Carl graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1960 where he was a standout baseball, basketball, and soccer player, and senior class president.

He enrolled at the University of New Hampshire where fate would lead him to a Sociology class, whose professor preferred alphabetical seating assignments. On the first day of class the professor stated, “In the past, my seating assignments have led to several marriages.” To Carl’s right sat Nancy Hutchins and the path to a marriage that would last nearly six decades was born.

Carl and Nancy were married on August 28, 1965, in Whitefield, NH. They started their life together in Hanover, NH, close to Windsor, VT, where Carl taught at the Windsor Junior High School from 1965-1973. In 1967, Carl joined the NH National Guard’s 155 Howitzer Battery where he became a Sergeant, and in 1973, he earned a Master’s degree from Dartmouth College.

In 1973, Carl and Nancy’s first son, Matthew Frederick Hussey, was born, followed by Michael Sayward Hussey in 1976. Carl instilled in his sons the values of education, integrity, and respect for others, and his unparalleled work ethic provided a compelling standard to aspire to, as did his relentless pursuit of perfection in all that he did. Carl’s strongest bonds with his sons were through sports. He spent countless hours on the fields, courts, slopes, and in the backyard teaching them all that he knew, and they joined him as passionate fans of the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots. Carl coached their T-Ball, Little League, and Junior Babe baseball teams for 11 straight summers.

Carl began a new teaching position at Lebanon Junior High School in 1973 and a legendary 28-year tenure would follow. Nicknamed “Mr. Wonderful” by his students, he was remembered for caring about each and every student and for sparking in them the joy of learning. As a seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher, Carl taught about some of the most important events in modern history, from the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression to the Holocaust. He even managed to ensure that every student knew how to spell Czechoslovakia. Carl was recognized in 1994 as a “Teacher to Remember” by the state of New Hampshire, and in 1999, he received the “Byrne Award for Outstanding Teaching” from the Byrne Foundation and Upper Valley Community Foundation.

Throughout his life, Carl had a spiritual connection with nature. He was a prolific gardener, growing all manner of vegetables every summer for more than 50 years. His most important crop was cucumbers, which allowed him to make his famous Sour Pickles, a recipe passed down by his father and which he passed down to his sons. For years the pickles raised money for Lebanon Junior High School at its silent auction fundraiser, often resulting in bidding wars. Carl was an avid hiker and hiked the Presidential Range in the White Mountains whenever he could. He also loved to fish and took great pride in teaching the pastime to his sons at the Norford Lake Club in Vermont, of which he was a member for more than 40 years. One of his favorite activities was an annual trip with friends to the Dartmouth College Grant in the New Hampshire north country.

After 36 years of teaching, Carl retired from Lebanon Junior High School. His retirement was unexpectedly altered at the age of 61 by complications from a back surgery that caused significant nerve damage, resulting in chronic pain and compromised basic functions for the rest of his life. The manner in which he handled the progressive suffering year after year was nothing short of inspiring. He never once complained nor did he lose his characteristic humor and wit. Rather, his constant optimism and courage set a powerful example for his family and friends for how to handle adversity, no matter how difficult.

Despite his health challenges, Carl’s lifelong commitment to his family never wavered. He was a loving, caring, and devoted family man who was always present for his loved ones. Between 2009 and 2014, his five grandchildren were born, and he and Nancy embraced their new roles as grandparents. Lovingly called “Bampy,” he became a constant source of praise, support, and advice for his grandchildren. Carl lived in awe of the family that he had created with his soulmate. His death came three months shy of his and Nancy’s 60th wedding anniversary.

Carl and Nancy were proud residents of Lebanon, NH, for more than 40 years before moving to Cumberland, ME, in 2014.

A masterful educator, dedicated citizen, prolific gardener and outdoorsman, standout athlete and avid sports fan, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Carl had a profound impact on everyone he interacted with. He will be missed beyond measure.

Carl is survived by his spouse, Nancy; sons, Matthew and Michael; daughters-in-law, Hope and Viviene; grandchildren, Hannah, Madeline, Madison, Carley, and Samuel; sister, Jane Roberts, brother-in-law, Fred Robert; nephew, Jason Roberts; and niece, Melanie Champagne; and sister-in-law, Wendy Michael (Gregory).

In Carl’s final months, he received extraordinary care and compassion from Hospice of Southern Maine, in particular the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, ME. Carl’s family would like to thank Kate, his Hospice home nurse, and the incredible team at Gosnell Hospice House for their amazing care. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Carl’s family asks that donations be made to Gosnell Hospice House in honor of Carl. Instructions may be found at www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/donate, and both Gosnell Hospice House and Carl should be noted in donations. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

A private celebration of Carl’s life will take place in the fall.