The Ocean Point Inn family shares our heartfelt sympathy as we still struggle to absorb the sudden loss of David A. Dudley.
David is dearly missed by his fellow Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity brothers as well as his Ocean Point Inn family & friends. So many have reached out to us to share their wonderful, admiring, and humorous memories of David; not just those who shared time at the University of Maine with David, but literally hundreds of young men he mentored and set such high standards for who have acknowledged the impact he made in their lives and futures. That rings true for his partners Mark Sweetland and Anthony Krason, who he not only mentored at ATO but brought to Ocean Point Inn in 1973.
David worked on the front desk at OPI from 1969 until April 1985 when the “boys,” with the help of Warren and Mattie Barnes, purchased the Inn. David served as treasurer and senior partner at the Inn with dignity, honesty and extreme dedication to the craft of Innkeeping until the spring of 2011 when his health forced him to retire from the Inn. His contributions to the Maine Innkeepers Association rightfully earned him a “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
However, David did not retire from life, the hospitality industry, or the Boothbay Information Center. Quite the opposite, he charged forward, as he continued to share his heart, mind and character whenever he was called upon. David and Beth, his wife and life partner, boldly traveled the world, to places many just dream of experiencing.
David Dudley set an example for all, of how to live life to the fullest regardless of the obstacles put in his path. The changes David and his beloved wife Beth brought to the Inn after the purchase in 1985 guaranteed that the Ocean Point Inn would not suffer the fate of so many other old Inns in Maine. As the Ocean Point Inn family celebrates its 122nd season, which includes 50 years of staff and guests who admire David and remember and honor his life, let’s all remember our own cherished David memories and seek to follow his example of “do what you should do, when you should do it, and the way it should be done.” Thank you for the journey, Brother Dudley!
