CORNISH- Cornish-Darin Kelsey Manchester, age 62, passed away peacefully at his home on January 31, 2026, following a battle with dementia and ALS.
Darin was born on November 28, 1963, at Westbrook Hospital, the firstborn son of Patricia Phinney and Laforest “Joe” Manchester. Following the death of his father, his mother later remarried Teddy Dyer, and the family moved to Cornish, a town that Darin loved and where he stayed to raise his family.
He attended Cornish Elementary School and later graduated from Sacopee Valley High School. After high school, Darin proudly served in the Army National Guard.
Darin built his career as a skilled carpenter, taking great pride in his work as a finish carpenter before becoming a custom cabinet maker admired for his craftsmanship. He worked for Trico Millwork in Limington, where his craftsmanship, attention to detail, and strong work ethic were well known and respected. He left Trico in 2018 due to a disability.
To say Darin loved hunting and fishing would be an understatement. He was famously “infected with buck fever” every October through December and never missed a hunting season—until this past year. He loved spending time outdoors gardening, sitting by a campfire and never passed up a party with family and friends.
Darin was predeceased by his parents, Patti and Teddy Dyer, who passed away in 2020 and 2010, respectively.
He is survived by his wife Nicole of Hiram; his son, Jessie Manchester, and his wife Sadie, of Acton; his daughter, Hannah Manchester, and her partner Morgen Barter; his brother, Michael Manchester, of Cornish; his sister, Linda Liberty, and her husband Gary, of Hiram; his niece, Tracy Liberty, and her partner Chris Bernazzani, of Brownfield; and his granddaughters, Kelsey and Lilly, who were very special to him. His brother in law Danny Grube and his wife Angela of Sylva NC and their children Trip and Mary Georgia. His brother in law Peter Grube and his wife Carrie of Dover NH their children Sam and Lily.
Darin will be remembered for his dedication to his work, his love of the outdoors, and the quiet pride he took in his life, his service, and the people he cared about.
A memorial service to celebrate Darin's life will be held on Sunday Feb. 15th at 1 PM at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following
The Maine Sportsman Alliance
Donate - Sportsmans Alliance of Maine
The Association for Frontotemporal degeneration
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and Frontotemporal Degeneration | AFTD