Donald Austin Roakes

BRIDGTON – Donald Austin Roakes, 79, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully in Bridgton on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022 after a battle with MDS, a form of blood cancer.

Don was born in Auburn on Aug. 4, 1943, a son to the late George and Lucile (Bates) Roakes. When Don was 13-years old, the family relocated to a dairy farm they purchased in Harrison. He developed a lifelong love for the outdoors from growing up on the farm. He graduated from Bridgton High School in 1962. Don married Jeannette Billings of Norway, celebrating 59 years of marriage this past July. They shared the same birthday, with Don being a year older than Jeannette.

Donald started his career in logging after high school but found it to be a challenging occupation. He switched careers and worked for many years at Osgood Brothers in Fryeburg. Love for the woods called him back to logging in the early 1970s and he gave all his effort to build a successful logging operation, wood brokerage and land development business. He enjoyed working in the woods alongside his father, son, sons-in-law and grandsons at various times during his career. Don delighted in spending time with his eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Don was predeceased by a brother, Richard Roakes of Otisfield. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jeannette; children, Scott (Bobbi) Roakes of Sebago, Carol (Earl) Kline of Windham and Elaine (Clint) Chaplin of Bridgton; grandchildren, Timothy (Margie) Kline, Zachary Roakes, Travis (Megan) Kline, Trevor (Brittany) Chaplin, Tiffany (Austin) Brown, Kaitlyn Roakes (Cody Vickers), Ben Roakes (Nicole Mercier) and Garrett Roakes; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Dorothy (Roakes) Smith of Oxford, sister Shirley Roakes of Lewiston; and many special nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

Services will be private. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.