SCARBOROUGH- Scarborough, ME- Gary Manuel Winchenbaugh, age 82, passed away on January 7, 2026, with his youngest daughter and son-in-law by his side after a courageous battle with end-stage kidney failure.
Gary was born in Camden, ME on August 1, 1943, to the late Manuel and Margaret (Johnson) Winchenbaugh. He spent his childhood in Rockland, ME where he gained his love of the sea and had his first rowboat, the “Margo” named after his Mum.
Gary graduated from Rockland High School in 1961, where he had quite a football career. Shortly after graduation, he married Judith Learned of Owl’s Head and they moved to Portland, ME where Gary attended Pierre’s School of Beauty and became a
very popular Cosmetologist- coloring was his specialty. While working there, he was able to build a home near Higgins Beach for his wife and baby daughter, Tracy. Although very good at what he did, Gary’s heart and soul belonged to cars and the ocean.
After years at Falmouth Foreside, he left the salon and worked at Merit Pools in Scarborough where he met some of his life-long friends who became family. Although he liked the pool business, cars were still calling his name and he went to work for
Black Point Collision in Scarborough, where he excelled in painting and helped manage the business. Gary was also lobstering at this time on his boat “Worthy” out of Ferry Beach, just a few miles from the home he built. His second daughter, Casey, was also born during this time.
After years of making tons of friends and painting cars, Gary decided to build a barn on his property and go into business for himself. There he painted some of the prettiest cars you’d ever seen and did some incredible work. He was a true artist and
master of his trade. He continued to “fish” out of Scarborough and later bought a very tender, wooden lobster boat that he restored with the help of dear friends. “Sundown” was a beauty! She helped him catch many lobsters, took family and friends on countless trips to Richmond Island, safety got everyone home in stormy seas, and gave us a lifetime of memories. How Gary loved her… If Gary wasn’t on the water, his favorite place was his camp/woodlot in Warren, ME. He adored his side of the mountain and loved hunting with family & buddies on his land. Although he built a life in southern Maine, he always wished to return to the Midcoast someday.
Gary is predeceased by his wife, Judy and his eldest daughter Trae Winchenbaugh. He is survived by his youngest daughter, Casey Winchenbaugh Bradbury, his son-in-law, James Bradbury and his grandson (his pride & joy) Nathaniel Bradbury.
No services are planned at this time, but online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com