PORTLAND – Donald “Don” Thomas Cady passed away peacefully at home in Portland, on March 26, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born in Portland, to Genevieve (Dunn) and Ralph Cady on May 19, 1939. He graduated from Cheverus High School in the class of 1957 and went on to receive his master’s degree in education at the University of Southern Maine. He honorably served in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Green Beret.

Don’s career focused on emergency medicine, serving as the Director of Medcu and paramedic with the City of Portland Fire Department and Site Manager for Atlantic Ambulance in Florida. His passion for lifelong learning led him to pursue meaningful hobbies as a third-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, practicing as a lead instructor for the Maine Karate Association. He volunteered endless hours at Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals as a Reiki master for horse rehabilitation.

He married his sweetheart, Ann Marie Gomez on June 25, 1960, on Long Island at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea. Don and Ann Marie spent 63 years as partners in life and were exemplary role models to their family. Don touched many lives with his wit, knowledge, empathy, and strength – but his greatest strength was his love and pride in his family. He truly was the Patriarch of the Cady family, and one of his greatest roles was that of “Poppy” to his grandchildren. For over 30 years, Poppy could be spotted in his Prius, making his way to a hockey, wrestling, softball, or track event to sit with his kids and cheer on his grandchildren. His legacy will live on in the hearts of the ones he leaves behind.

Don is survived by his wife, Ann Marie; and children Theresa (Eric) Libby, Karen (Len) Hachborn, Kevin (Heather) Cady, Mary Susan (Mike) Mainella, Kathleen (Hank) Richards; grandchildren include Daniella Hachborn (Scott) Hunnewell, Lianna Hachborn (Tucker) Pope, Henry Richards IV, Philip Richards, Annalise Richards, Julia Richards, Jack Mainella, Louis Mainella Griffin Cady, Marcus Cady; great-grandchildren Eliza Hunnewell and Beckett Hunnewell.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, Genevieve, father, Ralph; brother, Jack and sister, Maureen (Cady) Finks.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at St Peter’s Episcopalian Church at 678 Washington Ave. in Portland.

To share memories of Don or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, http://www.athutchins.com.

In lieu of flowers,

memorials may be given in Donald’s name to the

Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals

P.O. Box 10

South Windham, ME 04082

or online: http://www.msspa.org