Daniel Douglass

POLAND – Daniel Douglass, 83, died March 1, 2025, unexpectedly, but peacefully at his home in Poland, Maine, where he lived with his daughter.

Born May 30. 1941, in Lewiston to Leslie and Edith (Hodge) Douglass, Dan grew up in Buckfield. After graduating from Buckfield High School in 1959, Dan heeded the slogan to “Join the Navy and See the World.” He served as a submariner aboard the USS Lionfish, USS Entemedor, USS Pogy, and USS William H Bates, and traveled around the world. He ended his Naval career as a teacher at the submarine school in Groton, CT with the rank of Chief Torpedoman’s Mate (TMC, E7) then returned to Buckfield. He worked for several years with contractors at the mill in Rumford before going into semi-retirement, fixing player pianos and heading up the Buckfield water department.

On Nov. 9, 1963, he married his soul mate, Martha Chesley of Sumner, who shared his love of family, adventure, music, and outdoors. They visited all 50 states and most of the Canadian provinces, often bringing family and friends to experience the beauty and joy with them. Dan enjoyed history, maps, camping, and stargazing and he liked to share his knowledge of these subjects with others. He could play several instruments and was generally to be found whistling or singing while working in his workshop either tinkering or building furniture. Throughout his life he excelled in sports; he loved baseball, basketball, fishing and golf. He was also an avid game player – cards, cribbage, acey-deucy, and dominoes. There was nothing he couldn’t accomplish, but the most important thing to Dan was his family. With love and humor, he and Martha raised their girls to be kind, loving, and strong individuals. Their grandchildren were a joy to them, and even though Martha never met her great grandchildren, Dan absolutely relished being a great-grandfather. He will be greatly missed by many.

Dan was predeceased by his parents, five siblings, and his beloved wife. He is survived by his brother Leslie Douglass (Jody) of Buckfield; three loving daughters, Angela Roberts (Donald) of Poland, Rebecca Anderson (David) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Pamela Farrar (Mitchell) of Satellite Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren, and eight great grand-children.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025 at The Damon Cemetery, North Buckfield Rd., Buckfield, with a social remembrance to follow (location TBD). We ask that you please wear attire from a travel destination you have been on either with him or just somewhere you love.

Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, 26 W Dwinal St., Mechanic Falls. Online condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers,

please consider making a donation in Dan’s memory to:

the National Parks Foundation at http://www.nationalparks.org.