Daniel Oscar "Danny" Chalmers

Southwest Harbor
Daniel ("Danny") Oscar Chalmers, 78, died peacefully at home in Southwest Harbor on January 10, 2025, after several years of declining health. He was born on November 17, 1946, in Ellsworth, the son of Mildred (Phillips) and Francis T. Chalmers Jr.
Danny grew up in Manset and attended grade school at Pemetic. Some of his fondest memories were time spent with his step-grandfather, Oscar Seavey, who fostered a love of lobstering aboard his boat, the Fartin' Fanny. After 8th grade, his family moved to Ellsworth. During high school he worked as a driver for Hancock County Creamery and graduated from Ellsworth High School, Class of 1965. Upon receiving his draft card for the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and served in Thailand as a weapons mechanic working on F105s. He developed and maintained lifelong bonds with several Air Force friends. While stationed at McConnell AF Base in Wichita, KS, he met Rita Ann Kraus, who would become his wife, in what he proudly considered the best decision of his life. After 4 years in the Air Force, he wanted nothing more than to return to the waters of MDI to go lobstering and be closer to his Grampy Oscar.
Like so many Mainers who derive their livelihood from the ocean and land, Danny valued hard work and combined numerous jobs to provide for his family. When not lobstering, he could be found shrimping, scalloping, and longlining. He painted his lobster buoys red, white, and blue, in honor of his love of country and time in the service. In the off seasons, he drove truck, hauling loads of lobsters, blueberries, potatoes, and Christmas trees from Canada to Florida. In 1971, he started building floats in his dooryard, which ultimately launched two successful businesses that he and Rita operated for many years – Dan Chalmers Floats and Moorings, now owned and run by Josh and Cheri Willard as "Chalmers Enterprises", and Ocean House Boat Storage, owned and operated by son-in-law, Ryan Donahue and daughter, Maria. When it came time to "retire", he returned to his original love of lobstering. At age 61 he had a new lobster boat built and fished hundreds of traps for many years.
He enjoyed road trips to visit family in New York and across the Midwest, hunting in his younger days, watching birds and deer at home and in the woods, and in later years, spending time on his tractor and in his workshop, and rebuilding his grandfather's Model A dump truck. His daughters and grandkids were his pride and joy, and he took every opportunity to pass on his wisdom, skills, and overall Yankee ingenuity. He lived his life with love, compassion, and a readiness to help others. He also maintained a "never give up" spirit through his final days.
Daniel was a longtime member of the local Kiwanis Club and the American Legion Post #69. He also served on the Harbor Committee of Southwest Harbor for many years.
Danny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rita, their daughters, Denise MacDuff and husband, Andy of West Monroe, NY; Maria Donahue and husband Ryan of Southwest Harbor; grandchildren Ainsley and Morgan, and Riley and Alexander; two sisters, Linda Briggs (Tom) of Yorktown, VA and Amy Kaplan (Michael) of Portland, ME; many nieces and nephews from Maine to Kansas; special Air Force friends, Fritz Brown of NH and Mickey Drake of AL; and longtime, local friends too numerous to name. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Wendell and Francis of Southwest Harbor.
The family would like to thank the many providers and caregivers who supported him in recent years.
A service will be held this summer in Southwest Harbor.
Danny enjoyed supporting local youth programs. Gifts in his memory can be made to the MDI Community Sailing Center, PO Box 116, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 or The Hancock County Sheriff's Charities, 50 State Street, Suite 10, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com