PORTLAND – Daniel Lorello, a well-respected food salesman who had a passion for golf and his family, died Tuesday following a period of declining health. He was 87.

In his early years, Mr. Lorello worked for Armour & Company on Portland’s waterfront, selling meat and dairy products to local markets and grocery stores.

He worked there for nearly 25 years, before landing a job with the former Fitzgerald and Vito Food Brokerage Co. of Massachusetts. He worked for that business for about 20 years, selling new products to grocery stores throughout Maine. He retired in 1990.

“He was a likeable guy,” Thomas Lorello said of his father. “He could sell you the sleeves from a vest. He was really good at what he did. He found common ground with everyone.”

Mr. Lorello grew up on Munjoy Hill in Portland. He graduated early from Portland High School in 1943. At age 17, he joined the Navy. He served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Cabot, his obituary said.

He was a loving husband of the late Vivian Lorello, his wife for 59 years. The couple lived in Portland, where they raised three children.

Mr. Lorello was remembered by his children Thursday as a dedicated family man, who worked hard to provide a good life for his family.

“He was a good dad and a good provider,” his son said. “He made sure we had everything we needed.”

In doing so, Mr. Lorello instilled in his children the value of hard work.

He led by example. As a teenager, he would caddy at Portland Country Club, where he developed a life-long love of golf. His children would later caddy at Riverside Golf Course.

“I caddied for guys that he carried for when he was a kid,” his son said.

Mr. Lorello was a longtime member of Riverside Golf Course. In 1967, he won the coveted city championship.

He served as vice president and board member for the Riverside Golf Association.

Mr. Lorello played golf often with his three sons. Thomas Lorello reminisced Thursday about the time they spent together on the greens. He said they usually played nine holes after supper a few times a week.

“We learned the game of golf from him,” his son said. “I’ll miss playing with him. He was always straight down the middle. His shot game was excellent. He could chip and put. If he ever got into trouble, he could get up and down to save par.”

Mr. Lorello and his wife enjoyed being together. The couple liked going out to eat and spending time at the beach.

“My father used to go float in the water. He was like a cork,” his son remarked. “My mom used to say he was full of hot air.”

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.comPASSAGES

Each day the newsroom selects one obituary and seeks to learn more about the life of a person who has lived and worked in Maine. We look for a person who has made a mark on the community or the person’s family and friends in lasting ways.