Donald Drew Day

Don was born in Portland, Maine, on November 30, 1946, to Wendall and Esther (Dyer) Day and graduated from North Yarmouth Academy and the University of Maine, Orono. In 1970, Don joined the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge in 1975, he helped to design submarines at Newport News Shipbuilding before beginning a successful lifelong career in construction equipment sales.

In 1978, Don met his wife of more than 44 years, Diane, at Mul’s Irish Pub in downtown Portland. When offered a job in Colorado a year later, Don decided he would only accept if Diane agreed to marry him. Two months later, the couple married and moved to Colorado, where they had two children: son Daniel (1981) and daughter Sarah (1983). After nine years in Colorado and another four in southern California, the family returned to Don’s home state of Maine, where he resided for more than 30 years.

An avid amateur genealogist, Don traced his family tree back to the days of Charlamagne and beyond. And he always said his happiest place was behind the wheel of a car.

Don’s most important role in life was taking care of his family as husband, father and brother. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Diane Day of Scarborough; his son Daniel Day and wife Alison of South Portland; his daughter Sarah Day of South Portland; and his younger brother John Day and wife Darlene of Portland. He is predeceased by his parents Wendall and Esther Day.

His family is deeply grateful for the care Don received from the teams at New England Cancer Specialists, Northern Light Mercy Cancer Care and Maine Medical Center Oncology.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or the American Cancer Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Day family.