Eugene Daley

"The last roar of the roaring '20s," Eugene F. Daley, was born late in the evening on December 31, 1929. After 85 years of a life full of family, friends, teaching, hiking, scouting, canoeing, stamp collecting, and other fun and interesting pursuits, Gene passed away on June 28, 2015 after a long illness. He leaves behind his wife, Olive Ellis Daley, and his five children, Edmund, Dermot, Julianne, Justin, and Carol, who already miss him deeply. Gene was the son of Eugene P. Daley and Adele Sampson Daley and brother of Paul Daley and Adele Nazarian. Gene was born and grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts. His family moved to Newton, Massachusetts when he was a young adult. While growing up, Gene spent many summers with his extended family in both Lakeville and Wellfleet, Massachusetts. He continued visiting Wellfleet as often as he could. Gene graduated from Boston College High School, Boston College, and Boston University. He developed a love of languages and continued his education throughout his life attending language programs at the University of Munich, Germany; University of Guadalajara, Mexico; Pacific University, Washington; Middlebury College, Vermont; and Mittwoch am Bar Harbor, Maine. Gene served his country in the Army from 1952-1954. While stationed in Orleans, France, Gene toured Europe and visited family in Ireland, the first member of his family to go back to "the old country". He went back to Europe several times with Olive visiting Rome, Florence, Paris, Munich, and Dublin. Gene and Olive also traveled across the U.S., staying at national parks and with friends. Yearly extended tenting trips to the warmth and sunshine of Florida were the highlight of Gene's winters. As a skilled linguist, Gene shared his love of languages with his students. He taught at Holy Cross College for six years before he moved to Maine to teach for 16 years at Nasson College in Springvale. At Nasson, Gene taught German, English as a Foreign Language, and directed the foreign student program. After Nasson, Gene had a unique experience teaching at Windham High School in the mornings and Biddeford High School in the afternoons. After he retired from teaching, Gene continued his connection with Nasson working as the "chief archivist" at the Nasson Heritage Center for many years.When not working, Gene spent many hours enjoying the outdoors. He enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, and bicycling. For many years, Gene participated in the Androscoggin Source-to-the-Sea Canoe Trek. He also often joined up with groups like the Merrimac River Association, the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, and Audubon to take trips and volunteer. A memorable accomplishment for Gene was climbing Mt. Katahdin for the first time at the age of 72. Gene was a dedicated Scout Master for Troop 327 of Sanford for many years. As their leader, Gene had a positive impact on the lives of many scouts. Gene was also an active member of the York County Stamp Club and the proud owner of a Model A Ford for 60 years. There will be a funeral mass for Gene on July 8 at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Church in Springvale, Maine. The mass will be followed by a reception at 11:00 at the Nasson Heritage Center in Springvale. In lieu of flowers, Gene's family is asking that donations be made in his memory to the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, an organization that Gene supported for many years. Donations in Gene's memory can be mailed to Nature Conservancy Maine, 14 Maine St., Suite 401, Brunswick, ME 04011.Arrangements by Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.