Obituary of Joseph S. Van Dykes Jr.

Joseph S. Van Dykes, Jr., 74, passed away Monday, June 17, 2019 in Bangor after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 4, 1945 in Houlton, the son of Joseph S. and Bessie (Devou) Van Dykes, Sr.  Joe, sometimes known by Joey or his handle “Cadillac Joe,” grew up in Houlton and lived in Connecticut and the Bangor area most of his life. He worked as an automobile mechanic for many years and was a skilled craftsman, enjoying the time he spent as a woodworker and handyman. Joe was a Cadillac and a motorcycle enthusiast. He had a “take it or leave it” approach and could be very direct but was a warm, caring individual after you got to know him.

He is survived by his daughter; Cynthia Senes and husband, James of Holden, MA and his two grandchildren, Lydia and Samuel Senes.  He was predeceased by his parents and will be remembered by several friends including his lifelong friend, John Hacker and his wife, Sandy of Glastonbury, CT, Joseph Seeley whom helped him over the years and continues to care for his dog, Benji, his former wives, Sherille Van Dykes of Manchester, CT and Connie Van Dykes of Houlton and Connie’s two daughters, Barbie Marshall of Houlton and Nancy Clifford of Bangor.

Family and friends may visit 11AM to 1 PM Friday, June 21, 2019 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St, Brewer. A graveside service will be held 1:30 PM Friday immediately after the visitation at Woodlawn Cemetery, North Main St., Brewer. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME  04401 or bangorhumane.org or to CancerCare of Maine and the Lafayette Cancer Center, c/o Northern Light Foundation, PO Box 931, Bangor, ME  04402 or northernlighthealth.org.  Messages and memories may be shared with Joe’s family at kileyandfoley.com.