1929 – 2014

LEWISTON — David C. Harkins, of 28 Newman St., died peacefully on Friday, April 11, at d’Youville Pavilion.

He was born in Lewiston on Jan. 3, 1929, the youngest of 12 children to Thomas L. and Florence Orlandini Harkins. Educated in local schools, he graduated from Lewiston High School in 1948. Graduating from Bates College in 1953, he then earned a graduate degree in physical therapy from Columbia University in 1955.

An outstanding athlete, David earned seven varsity letters in football and baseball while at Lewiston High School; he quarterbacked the 1947 football team to an undefeated championship season. At Bates College, he played both varsity football and baseball under Maine Sports Hall of Fame coach Bob Hatch. In 2004, David was inducted into the Lewiston-Auburn Sports Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Columbia University, David began a long, distinguished career in physical therapy. He began his career at New York State Rehabilitation Hospital and moved on to a position at Charles Chapin Hospital in Providence, R.I., where he remained until 1957, when he returned to Maine and was appointed head of physical therapy at Pineland Hospital and Training Center in Pownal.

In 1964, he assumed the position of chief of physical therapy at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Lewiston, a position he held for more than 20 years. He finished his clinical career as the head of physical therapy at the Central Maine Sports Medicine Clinic in Lewiston in 1996.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, David was a longtime health care educator, serving in a variety of positions. He was an anatomy and physiology instructor at St. Mary’s Diploma School of Nursing for 15 years and served as an assistant clinical professor on the Boston University Sargent College of Allied Health faculty. He expressed deep satisfaction in having a part in educating the coming generations of health-care providers.

A firm believer in giving back, David was active in various civic and community organizations throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus and the St. Joseph’s Parish Council. In addition, he was a volunteer youth baseball coach in the Eliot Avenue League. In 1999, at the age of 70, he walked a marathon in San Diego, Calif., raising thousands of dollars for leukemia research.

In his retirement, David chose to remain in Lewiston, where he was an active member of the Bates College community, a place where he enjoyed socializing with friends and serving on alumni volunteer committees. He was especially fond of his many friends who are members of the college’s dining service staff. When away from Maine, he enjoyed time with family in Massachusetts.

Survivors include his son, Christopher “Chris” Harkins, of Somerville, Mass.; his daughter, Julie Harkins, of Seattle, Wash.; granddaughter, Melanie Harkins and daughter-in-law, Gail Harkins, both of Somerville, Mass.; and a sister, Margaret, of Auburn.

He was predeceased by his wife of 37 years, Doris Bisaillon Harkins, in 1988; and his son, Patrick Harkins of Franklin, Tenn., in 2011.

Remembrances can be left at www.memorialwebsites.legacy.com.