Oakland– Zachary D. Hodge, 31, passed away on April 28, 2026. He was born on June 8, 1994, and lived a life marked by resilience, warmth, and an unmistakable joy for the world around him. Zachary was well loved by all who knew him. He had a natural ability to make friends easily, and his strength, outgoing personality, and kind spirit left a lasting impression. Though he faced many medical challenges throughout his life, he met them with courage and continued to live life to the fullest, embracing each day with determination and heart. He is lovingly remembered by his mother, Tina Hodge; his father, Stephen Hodge and his partner Teresa Bennett; his sister, Ashley, her husband, and their children, Avery and Kaden, whom Zachary adored deeply; his maternal grandmother, Yvette Leblanc; as well as many aunts, uncles, and extended family members. He also leaves behind his beloved pets, his cat, Capella, and dogs, Chloe and Marley, who were a cherished part of his life. Zachary was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, William and Barbara Hodge; his maternal grandfathers, Steve Penney and David Scott; his uncle, Eric Penney; and his cousin, Craig Langervin. He had a deep love for theater, participating in productions during his time at Dirigo High School and later directing children's theater at the Theater at Monmouth and other theaters throughout the Rumford area. His passion for storytelling and creativity brought joy not only to him but to the many young performers he inspired. Zachary was a devoted fan of Disney, especially Beauty and the Beast, and attending Disney on Ice was a near-yearly tradition he greatly looked forward to. He treasured time spent with his family, especially his niece and nephew, and made the meaningful decision to move to the Kennebec Valley to be closer to them. He found joy in simple pleasures, playing Uno and other card games, camping and swimming during the summers, and traveling wherever the season led. For nearly a decade, he camped in Eustis, creating lasting memories. One of his favorite traditions was feeding chipmunks by placing peanuts on his knee and patiently waiting for them to take them, a moment that perfectly reflected his playful and gentle nature. In true Zachary fashion, he would even eat peanuts whole, shell and all. Zachary also had a love for sled hockey, playing alongside his best friend, AJ Beaudion, as part of a Special Olympics team. The love for AJ and his parents, Andy and Trina, was a bond unlike anything else. The camaraderie and joy he found in the sport were an important part of his life. Zachary's life, though far too short, was full of love, laughter, and meaningful connections. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. The family would like to give a special thank you to Zachary's medical team from Maine Medical Center and Yale New Haven, as well as all the friends he met through DCI in Fairfield for all their support and helping Zachary through his journey. Also a special thank you to Jackie Kilbreth for her support and guidance, Zachary adored her. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (https://wish.org/ ) or to the Theater at Monmouth (https://theateratmonmouth.org/support/ways-to-give/ ). A Celebration of Life will be held at Augusta West Campground in Winthrop, ME on July 12th, 2026 from 1pm-3pm. For additional information, please see Ashley's Facebook page.