Daniel Lee Thurber

DANIEL LEE THURBER Portland Dan, "The Man" Thurber, 77, died Sunday March 23rd. Our dad and papa, Daniel Lee Thurber was born February 20, 1948 at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary at the corner of Congress and Bramhall Streets to parents George and Erdine Thurber. He spent his childhood playing outside his home which is now the Forest Avenue area. George would also bring him shooting, fishing, and hunting in Pownal. He would visit Aunt Shirley and Uncle Randy Verrill some weekends, and play with cousin Billy Verrill who was the same age. He shared a close relationship with the Verrills as well as his stepfather Ed Berenson who taught him to drive stick shift. They bonded over their work at B and B Cleaners, and their shared virtue of working hard.
He was a Maine Maritime Graduate, spent 6 years in the naval reserves, and had a 20-year career in the merchant marine, working to the rank of Chief Engineer, followed by careers at LL Bean and General Dynamics. He loved his ships, crews, boats, boating on Sebago and in the ocean on the Nancy E. and Ms. Connie, marine engineering and safety, ship building, economizing and streamlining systems, and most recently his jeep Clarabell. He loved all things mechanical, but most of all his family, grandchildren, and relationships.
He was married to the love of his life, Nancy K. Thurber (1948-2023), for 52 years. They shared two children, Jen and Dan, Jr., and would often dance in the kitchen or go swimming at night. Dan and Nancy were best friends and good friends to many friends and their families who were and have been like family, especially Janet Kandoian, Deanie and Charles Snell and family, Lorraine Sheffield, The whole of the extended Burnell family (including dear Rosa and Fletcher), The Bean family, Bart Osgood, The Robinson's, Pam and Ray Hale, Billy and Carolyn Verrill and families, Jim and Barbara Carroll and family, Alan and (the late) Joan Atkins and family, Pam and Jim Whipple and family, the Tsalikis family, Judy Flaker and family, Bruce and Helene Levinsky and their family, Helen and Bobby Meyer's family, Susanne Pearl, Joe and Karen Thomas, Susan and Andrew Fuller, Mary Orr, the Kahills, the Sammy and Ruthie Mack family, the Paradis family, and the Seavey family, as well as many other friends and neighbors and relatives from Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Applegate, and beyond. Most recently Dan had enjoyed his community at Ashton Gardens. He also was in touch with friends from Castine and his work places. There are others not mentioned here, but cherished nonetheless.
Family was very important, and Dan shared a strong bond with all of Nancy's close and extended family, from Portland to Boston to Rhode Island, to Michigan to California and Minnesota and beyond, especially father-in-law Robert and mother-in-law Pauline Krekorian, brother-in-law Gary Krekorian, sister-in law Pamela Krekorian Burnell and brother-in law Daniel Burnell and their sons, his nephews, Joshua and Jason Burnell. And the cherished Michigan cousins, especially beloved Auntie Irene Azoian, the Azoians, Basmajian's, Hickey's, Hutchinsons, Jacobsens, Paternis, Perry's, Quick's, and most recently, Chris Schumann and his family. Dan shared many special memories, events, hunting and fishing trips, and meals with them over the years, most recently over the summer.
He was a kind, warm, gentle, generous, humorous man who, while serious, enjoyed jokes and sayings. He treasured sharing Bible and sea stories, advice, and guidance, as well as spending special time with his grandchildren Nick Kohl, Eddie Kohl, and Thomas Thurber. He loved passing on his wisdom to his grandchildren as well as to his adult children and beyond. He shared a special, unique bond with each grandchild.
We want to thank all of our family, especially Pam, Dan, Josh, Jason and his wife Emily Burnell (and their sons Carson and Rory Burnell) who brought him food weekly and helped him fix medical equipment and enjoy meals, fun times, stories and joy.
We thank our Michigan and California cousins, Lorraine Sheffield, Janet Kandoian, Karen and Joe Thomas, and all who called, visited and wrote daily, weekly, monthly, or at any other time.
A big thank you to his and my mom's personal caregiver and friend, Linda Peare, who brought out his sense of humor and levity, and assisted him and the whole family. He loved sharing meals, time, jokes, and company with you. You blessed him and us on many levels!
Also thank you to Jocelyn Corkum and Mike Hight who were more than physical therapists. And Mickey Richardson. As well as the Ashton Garden Community, one and all. He really enjoyed your company!
Thank you to Dr. Zeitland and his staff, Dr. Akom and his crew, Palliative care, the doctors, nurses, and CNAs at Maine Medical Center, and to his team at the Hospice of Southern Maine Gosnell House. Thank you to Fr. Mikael Der Kosrofian as well as his chaplain Quinn. And everyone involved in his care.
Our dad and papa Dan really believed wholeheartedly that life is a trip, and it's a wonderful world! He was a wonderful man, inside and out, start to finish. We are grateful to have been loved by him.
When the 8 bells toll, and his soul is called home, and he embarks on his final journey, remember that he would want you to remember him with a smile or a laugh or a story.
In Lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Dan's name, please give to one of the following:
Hospice of Southern Maine
hospiceofsouthernmaine.org
The National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/
The Prebble Street Food Pantry https://www.preblestreet.org/what-we-do/food-programs/food-pantry/