Daniel Roger “Rocky” Blier

SCARBOROUGH – Daniel Roger “Rocky” Blier, 80, of Portland, peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough with family by his side.

Rocky was born on July 24, 1942 in Lewiston to Aurele and Rose (Michaud) Blier. Being the tenth of 12 children, he was proud to come from a large family and enjoyed their annual summertime family reunions. In 1960, he graduated from Sabattus High School, where he participated in basketball, baseball, cheerleading, public speaking, and highway safety council; he was class vice president his junior year.

He joined the Air Force in September of 1960, but was honorably discharged a month later after it was discovered he was blind in his right eye (he passed the initial eye exam by memorizing the entire chart!).

Most of Rocky’s working life was as a locksmith for Diebold and later as a realtor. He graduated in 2000 from McIntosh College with an associate’s degree in Accounting. Rocky married Alice Marie Higgins in 1963 and they had three children.

Rocky loved sports: watching, playing, and coaching. He maintained little league fields at Elliot Avenue in Lewiston and also served on many board posts, including president. Coaching little league for over 20 years in both Lewiston and Dover, N.H., he was especially proud of coaching his son’s team for three years – one year reaching the all-stars tournaments. Another highlight was coaching the Elliot Ave. Majors team, who reached the state semifinals in 1989.

Rocky was a long time member of the B.P.O. Elks in Lewiston, where he served as treasurer in the mid-1980s. Rocky was able to retire to Winter Haven, Fla., however, returned to Maine due to an illness which warranted him to be closer to family for support. At the time of his death, he was living at The Park Danforth in Portland.

Other highlights of Rocky’s life included a three-day cruise on the U.S.S. Eisenhower aircraft carrier with family friend, Russ Sites, and a powerful religious pilgrimage to Medjugorje in 2001.

Rocky is survived by two children, son, Kevin Blier and his wife Kristin of Brandon, Vt., daughter, Angela Blier and her wife Melissa of South Portland; five beloved grandchildren, Ethan, Aidan, Collin, Josselyn, and Cameron; nine siblings, Ernestine Boulay Larose of North Berwick, Aurele Jr. “Al” and his companion Alice Rodrigue of Litchfield, Andrew of Tewksbury, Mass., Clarence of Rochester, N.H., Carroll and his wife Claire of Sanford, Jeannine Quintal of Rollinsford, N.H., Eric of Port Richey, Fla., Catherine Blier of Minot, and Martine Cloutier and her husband Don of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews; and cousins.

He was predeceased by son, Daniel “Danny” Roger Blier II; two sisters, Geraldine Gagne and Joceline Blier; and his parents.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on Tuesday July 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St., Auburn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 131 High St. in Sabattus and immediately followed by a committal service at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

A special thank you to the staffs of both Clark’s Terrace at The Park Danforth and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.