Obituary of Danny Lee Wilson

Danny Lee Wilson, 89, of Rockland, Maine passed peacefully at home on 2/29/2024, with his loving wife Lisa and daughter Lori by his side. He was surrounded by many loved ones in the days leading up to his passing.

Dan was born in Northfield, MA to Stanley Harry Wilson and Ruth Grace Lombard Wilson on 12/30/1934. The family moved to Maine when he was three. Dan grew up on Greenville Street in Hallowell, graduating from Hallowell High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 through 1957. Going to school on the GI Bill, he earned a bachelor’s degree from University Maine- Orono in English and German in 1963; and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College in 1969. He taught at Kents Hill School in Kents Hill, ME before pursuing his passion to become a licensed clinical social worker for Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Togus Veterans Administration, and Maine Veterans Homes.

Dan was constantly seeking connections and genuinely delighted to meet new people. He often told his family, “You just have to ask one question,” to explain how he so effortlessly acquired new acquaintances. He truly was a person who thrived talking to and assisting everyone around him. Everywhere he went, he made a point to introduce himself to new people and discover common ground. Someone once said, ‘Dan was the kind of person you felt like you had known your whole life even if you had just met him.’
 

As a product of growing up during the Depression, he taught his children and grandchildren to work hard, love deeply, and strive to be the best versions of themselves. If he didn’t have a home renovation project going on, he was helping someone else with their own. Some examples of his projects were sheds, decks, island outhouses, and home construction. He made sure his children all knew how to plan a project, swing a hammer, and figure out how to put things back together. He was in his eighties when he finally decided that climbing ladders should be left to a younger generation.

Dan was involved with Windsor Fair for many years, first, as director of admissions, and then as director of racing. While director of racing, one of his favorite accomplishments was rebuilding the paddock with the local horsemen. After his retirement from an official position, he continued to attend the fair every year and catch up with his old friends.

Dan and Lisa had a wonderful 24 years together, first living in Scarborough and then moving to Rockland. When they moved to Rockland, he volunteered with the AIO Food Pantry, picking up donations, and delivering them to the pantry. He picked up and delivered donations for the Weekend Backpack Program. Lisa’s friends at the Rockland Public Library were thrilled to hear Dan had a truck and he happily volunteered to transport whatever needed transporting. Additionally, he was active in the American Lung Association Trek Across Maine, participating in the trek for many years.
 

Dan loved to experience new places and new cultures. Lisa remembers him as the perfect travel companion. Traveling to Europe, they went to France and Italy together, delighting in the foods, wine and new connections. He was constantly striking up conversations with strangers, fascinated by their stories. Transcending language barriers he would always manage to learn something about everyone he conversed with. Nobody could walk away from a conversation with Dan without a smile on their face.
 

Dan wore many titles: husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend. He hoped to be remembered as having made a positive difference in the lives of those he cared about.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Ignaszak of Rockland; daughters Lori Wilson of Palmyra and Erika Neal (Andrew) of Old Town, FL; sons Mark Wilson (Melanie) of Cookeville, TN and Derek Wilson of Marathon, FL; daughter-in-law Shelly Sevigny; grandchildren Katey Kot (Danny), Avril Richter, Lukas Wilson, Meaghan Wilson, Ciara Richter, and Isaak Wilson; brother Maurice Wilson, sister Linda Hannan (Tammy), sisters-in-law Pany Wilson and Marianne Moore (Frank), brothers-in-law Ron Lord and Paul Ignaszak, and former wife Nancy Camelio. He will be missed by his many nieces, nephews and cousins who adored him. He was predeceased by his first wife Beverly Gerow Wilson, sisters Carolyn Wilson Lord and Lois Wilson Light; and by brothers Frank, Stanley and Craig Wilson.

Memorial donations may be made to the AIO Food Pantry in Rockland. The family is grateful for the care Dan received over the last couple of years from the staff at Pen Bay Medical Center Oncology Unit, and for support at home for the last couple of months from Comfort Keepers and finally for MaineHealth’s Care at Home hospice support.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer. Date and location will be announced at a later date.