Donald was born in Blue Hill, ME, on Nov. 8, 1936, the son of Ralph Leon and Alice Hale Friend. He graduated from George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill in 1955 and then went on to graduate from Gorham State Teachers College (University of Southern Maine) with a B.S. degree in education in 1960. On June 21, 1958, he married his childhood sweetheart, Jane Louise Duffy, in South Blue Hill, ME. He continued his studies in Oswego, N.Y., and eventually received his master’s degree in administration from the University of Southern Maine in 1966.
Don taught woodworking and drafting at Morse High School from 1960 to 1969. In 1967 he was chosen to oversee construction of, and develop programs for, the Bath Regional Vocational Center. He then acted as director of the school from 1969 to 1989 which served Bath and seven surrounding towns. Don was very proud of the program which gave students the skills and knowledge to leave high school with the ability to pursue a career in the trades. In conjunction with the Bath Rotary Club, the different classes in the program worked together to construct several houses in the Bath area which were sold to raise funds for the future house projects. Some of the construction included buildings for the Pine Tree Camp for children and adults with disabilities in Rome, Maine. He served for four years as adviser for the class of 1989.
Following retirement from Morse High School, Don formed D.L. Friend Construction and constructed homes from 1989 to 1999. From 1964 to 1999 he constructed 37 homes from Falmouth Foreside to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Several of his homes were constructed during the summer break between school years and he often commented he had to build a house each year while teaching in order to stay in education. From 1999 to 2012, he was employed by Dodge D. Morgan as steward of Snow Island in Harpswell, Maine.
Don was active in the community and served on many boards, clubs and committees. Among these included the Bath Rotary Club, YMCA Building Committee, Phippsburg UCC Building Committee, and Bath Regional Vocational School Building Committee. He was also a member of the Phippsburg Congregational Church and a Corporator of Bath Savings Institution. He was a talented craftsman who built furniture for his home and family and enjoyed carving decoys, copper sculpturing, gardening, traveling, fishing and hunting.
Don is survived by his wife, Jane, of 55 years. He is also survived by his son Mark and wife Connie of Hebron, CT; daughter Shelly Holmquist and husband Carl of Gray, ME; grandchildren Andrew Friend and wife Danielle of Woolwich, ME; Carolyn Friend of Marlborough CT; Tyler and Caitlin Holmquist, of Gray, ME; stepgrandson, Alex Colby of Westfield, MA; and cousin Juanita Wood and husband Arthur of Brooklin, Maine. Don also has many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Donald L. Friend, Vocational Scholarship, Morse High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1030, Bath, ME 04530.
A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Phippsburg Congregational Church, 10 Church Lane, Phippsburg, ME 04562. A reception will follow at Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
