Dylan Pinkham
Steuben—Dylan Earl Pinkham passed away unexpectedly on September 1, 2025 at 34 years old. Dylan was born September 29, 1990 to Melissa (Pinkham) Merrill when she was just 23 years old. Since Missy was so young, the whole family rallied to support her and her new addition. Dylan spent his youngest years growing up in Steuben. He was the first grandchild for the Pinkham family, and the adoration he received was very plain to see. Big wheels, bicycles, and even a handmade set of stilts made by his grandfather, littered the yard at the Pinkham residence. Dylan loved to play outside, especially when his younger cousin, Kayla tagged along. She was born a year and a half after Dylan, and they became instant best friends. They were raised so closely together that “siblings” describes them better than “cousins”. Missy would most likely describe the two as partners in crime after an incident with a ruined coffeemaker the morning after a sleepover.
As Dylan got older, he and Missy spread their wings, and moved to the Ellsworth, and Brewer areas. Moving from Steuben did not hinder Dylan. He still saw his Pinkham family regularly, especially his aunt Wanda. Dylan would get off the school bus at the restaurant where she worked until Missy could pick him up. Employees and customers alike loved to see him after school. He made friends wherever he went, and that trait followed him his whole life. School work was not his strong suit, but if there had been classes for talking, joking, or dancing, Dylan would have aced them all. He loved to make people laugh, and loved to laugh even more.
Dylan spent most of his high school years in Sanford with his mother. His junior year was spent living with his aunt Wanda where he attended Ellsworth High School. He made friends at Ellsworth quickly (as usual), but ultimately decided to move back to Sanford. While there, a new family member was welcomed into the Pinkham family. Dylan was very excited to meet his new sister, Hanna. He was helpful, patient, and always entertained her when asked. Dylan was a great big brother when living at home, but he would soon graduate from high school in 2009.
Since majoring in “class clown’ was not an option, Dylan decided to forgo college, and enter the work force. Store clerk, landscaper, and laborer are just a few of the jobs Dylan worked. His most notable and favorite job was sternman on his grandfather’s lobster boat, F/V Fish Hook. Wanda, Jodi, and Kayla could all be seen on Perky’s boat throughout the year, but Dylan had the most fun on the boat when his aunt Jodi was there. Using seaweed as a blanket, writing song lyrics in the lobster count book, and making captain Perky shake his head was a normal day for the duo. And in true Dylan fashion, he would do all of this in his aunt Wanda’s borrowed oil pants that he always put back covered in bait and mud.
It’s safe to say Dylan didn’t always treat material items with the attention they deserved. Anyone who ever saw one of his many vehicles would agree. However, Dylan was a very kindhearted person. He kept every birthday card he ever received, and keepsakes from his grandparents and friends that passed too soon. Dylan cared about people and he was happiest when helping them. Not only did he care about people, but he cared for animals, too. Growing up, Dylan had pet birds and cats. In his adult years, he lived with his aunt Jodi off and on, which meant living with her pets as well. He especially loved Jodi’s dog, Pip. Just recently, he had two cats (Twin and Roscoe) that he talked about, and sent pictures of, incessantly.
One of his biggest interests was volunteering as a firefighter, and he was able to do just that. He gave his time to two different fire departments, and was always talking about doing it again. This was just one more way that he could show he cared for people. Dylan’s other interests included, dirt bikes, bonfires, and video games. When he was growing up, his grandmother even put a special television in her breezeway for Dylan to use with his Nintendo.
It would be remiss not to mention Dylan’s struggle with addiction. It took a while, but Dylan did seek help. He completed a program and began to get his life in order. He was living between his mom’s house and Jodi’s house, and the whole family felt like they had the “old Dylan” back. At the end of July, while he was ‘back’, Kayla got married. Dylan helped set up, danced the night away, cleaned the next morning, and even asked Kayla if she would get married again next weekend so he could dance the night away again. The entire Pinkham family is so grateful to have had that weekend as one of the last memories of him. It is not known whether drugs caused Dylan’s ultimate demise, however, they did play a role in his life during the last few years. Dylan’s family urges anyone struggling with addiction to please get the help they deserve.
Dylan is survived by his mother, Melissa (Pinkham) Merrill; sister, Hanna Merrill; aunts, Wanda Pinkham and Jodi Pinkham; uncle, Todd Pinkham and wife, Lisa, all of Steuben; cousins, Kayla Pinkham McLaughlin, and Reese Pinkham; and many friends all across the state. Dylan is also survived by Jayson, a boy who was like a son to him, and whom he loved very much. Dylan is predeceased by his grandparents, Earl “Perky” Pinkham and Terrie (Santerre) Pinkham.
The family will have a private graveside ceremony for Dylan. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to The Messenger Animal Rescue in memory of Dylan Pinkham and sent to P.O. Box 223, Harrington, ME 04643.