The “nicest guy you’ll ever meet“ has passed away. Donald J. Van Dusen was a warm, happy and kind soul until a stroke stole his laugh and his smile in the early morning hours of June 25. He died three days later at Breakwater Commons in Rockland, Maine at the age of 94. He was a loving husband, a wonderful father and an incredible man.

Don was born an only child in Chicago in 1930, but grew up in the town of Raymond, Maine on the shores of Sebago Lake. Most summer days ended with the a swim in the lake with his father, Jerry and his dog, Duke. As a young teenager he watched the World War II fighter planes train over the lake dropping dummy bombs on floating targets. It was in Raymond where he met Kathleen Zeiner whom he married in 1952. Together they raised five boys and were devoted and inseparable for 71 years.

Donald was a hard worker and an engineer by trade. In their 50s, Don and Kathy purchased one of the oldest houses in Harpswell, Maine, the Tarr-Eaton House which had fallen into disrepair and was slowly sinking into the ground. Tirelessly they spent eight years meticulously restoring the 1783 home which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Donald loved to laugh. He loved people. He loved dogs. He loved planes and boats and cars. He loved to draw. He loved Amato’s Italian sandwiches (watching them being made at the India Street store when they were 25 cents each). He loved homemade root beer and Ken’s fried clams. He loved air shows and car shows. He loved taking his young family in the motorboat he built, cruising from Taylor’s Marina to Frye’s Island for picnics on the beach. And he loved to swim and ski. But most of all he loved his wife Kathy and his five sons and their spouses. He fully supported and encouraged his sons’ passions for music, art, design and mechanics. His family was truly his pride and joy.

Donald was predeceased by his parents, Jeremiah and Beatrice (Beesley) Van Dusen and is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his son Glenn and his wife Diane; his son Barry and his wife Lisa; his son Deane and his partner David; his son Chris, his wife Lori and his grandsons Ethan and Tucker; and his son Donald and his wife Carmen.

Per Donald’s wishes there will be no funeral or service. Instead his family will celebrate his life privately later this summer. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you carry on Donald’s spirit by being kind to each other and share a smile and a laugh as he did with everyone he ever met.