David Alston MacVane
January 14, 1960 ~ November 29, 2023
Resided in:
South Portland, Maine
DAVID ALSTON MACVANE III
January 14, 1960- November 29, 2023
South Portland- David A. MacVane III came into this world on January 14th, 1960, the son of the late David (Bunk) MacVane, Jr and Constance (Enos) MacVane. He spent his childhood growing up on his beloved, Cliff Island, attending a one room schoolhouse with siblings, cousins, and many friends. From a very early age, he and his brother would board his father’s lobster boat, the Nomad, in the wee hours, where the three would haul and set lobster traps. Those formative years shaped him into the hardworking man he became. He graduated from Portland High School in 1979, with accolades in football and track. Shortly after high school he enlisted in the Navy, like many of his family members had done and continue to do. He had an exemplary record, with a focus on communications. If you were lucky enough to sit and listen to his stories, you know how much he took pride in that time.
After being honorably discharged, he started a long and successful career as a driver for companies like UPS, General Linen, Fed Ex and most recently Native Maine. He rarely missed a day of work and was a perfectionist with every task. To call him a handy man would be an understatement. Not only could he build or fix anything, but he also owned and would quickly loan any imaginable tool you could think of. It wasn’t just his generous heart that you noticed, his smile and charm were magnetic. He took great pride in his appearance, whether it was a day on the boat, an afternoon on his deck or a special occasion, he dressed in style. His door was always open, anyone that entered his home never had an empty glass or stomach.
David was a cancer survivor, who managed that time with the grace and attitude you would expect from a strong Maine islander. Over the last few years, he faced more trials and tribulations that, at times, started to wear on his hard-working body. David retired in April of 2022 and was navigating this new chapter in his own way. On November 29th the struggle ended, and as his loved ones grieve the giant void he left behind, we take some solace that he is at peace.
David is survived by his wife of 13 years, Melissa; his son, who he was so proud of, Naval Petty Officer 3rd class Cameron MacVane; his stepsons, Travis Conner, Cameron Conner, and Noah Blake. He also leaves behind his siblings, Robert MacVane, Ann MacVane, and Laurie Boody; in addition to many friends, cousins, nieces, and a nephew.
Forever in our hearts.
Services are Wednesday December 6th with a viewing from 11AM-1PM and a short service at 1PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.
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I loved my brother! I will forever remember him and the memories of the good days and the happiness we shared!
Rest in peace Dave
My condolences to the MacVane family. I went to high school and played football with Dave. He was a great teammate and a great guy.
Daily. David had a Volks Wagon Bug, Gold Metalic. One day he drove it onto the sidewalk by our house. I ran outside and asked, “What the heck are you doing!?!”. He smiled, “Just wanted to see if it fit, it does”, then backed it off.
There’s always a bright side somewhere if you just keep looking and keep trying, no matter how hard it may seem to do, keep trying.
Sports. He was a really good athlete. I never saw him eat junk food as he was always focused on his ability in sports. We were at times rather competitive and he always beat me accept for once. He was returning home from the Navy and stopped by on his way to visit me in Arizona. He took the Aerobic Class I was teaching and couldn’t finish it! It was a tough routine. At the end of the class he put his hands on his hips, tilted his head and said, “Who are you?” We laughed (Well, I laughed he just shook his head). Boy did that feel good, the first and only time I out did him in a sport. lol…
Just one? Ok, one that keeps making me laugh is when David came home one night after a high school party and was so funny my sister (Dawn) and I laughed so hard we had tears down our face. He sat on a stool and opened the kitchen drawer of cooking tools and just started animated each one with a story. It was like he gave us our own puppet show using kitchen tools. When he ran out of stuff to pull out of the drawer leaned on his elbow and said, “Ok, I’m tired I’m going to bed” and off he went. David had the most delightful sense of humor, a true original.
High School years were not always an easy time. David had a way of finding the bright spot no matter how hard things got. He made you feel like you could handle anything if you just looked in the right direction to find the bright spot. He did that for me quite a lot during those years and no doubt many others were on the receiving end of that same batch of wind he would put back into your sail.
Kindness. David was instinctive with his kindness, he never thought twice, he just made you feel better by his personality, wit and willingness. Outgoing is an understatement. He worked hard at being not just able to do something but wanted to be really “good” at it and worked hard till he got it right, be it a sport or academics. He made friends wherever he went and treated everyone the same, equal. On a trip to South America he made friends with locals 4 hours after we landed. It seemed to come naturally to him, no effort he just did it. Hard to give it a label but perhaps best said; a true “original”.
Melissa, Although we have never met in person, if we were to meet today I would simply….hug you.
Thank you…..for making my world a lot brighter when I needed it to be.
David’s Dad married my Mom. We were step siblings. Mostly our time together was during our high school years when he moved off the island to live with us to contend with Sports.
Determined.
Melissa, Holly thought you’d appreciate this story. I was a year behind Dave and in JHS, the football team were issued the big & clunky gear…the cleats were leftovers from the 1950’s I think. Dave and many of his peers were the starters and the kids who got first dibs on the best gear. Dave and a few others had their own cleats…the newest / lightest style of the day. Before one of the games, Dave asked if I wanted wear his cleats. As a 12/13 year old kid, felt faster, lighter and privileged to have one of those we looked up to care enough to share showed what a caring person Dave was! Through h.s. we remained friends and I even remember helping him with his Algebra at his kitchen table his senior year in h.s.
Missy,
I am so very sorry about Dave. Sending all of you my love.
4 children back to back, one lost i between i was the baby, Ann was in charge, Robbie was running under the post office whole we stubbed our toes cutring through the path.Our mother would run to store the to make cream cheese & cherry sandwich,
no crust ma:) my other siblings liked tuna, I don’t know why;)
We were in plays & went to Portland playing the autoharps. To find these videos. Help!
We all ran around safe & sound!
My Father worked hard & we had to earn it. We were bribed to swim across Griffins Cove. My Father hauled the older kids on a big float tire(?) & I watched. We explored all of Jewell Island. Magical. Our uncle Bob & Auntie Bill would come with boxes wrapped beautifully with tissue paper. This is the 1 wrap I use. We all loved Christmas.
My Sister & I would play with Barbies than I was too little. “Get lost kid you bother me” hhaha@ We all went to Cliffs 1 room school house. We learned how to eat with our fingers a special celebrating history day. Scating on the thin ice on the 1 & only O’Reilly Pond was tricky. My sister found a dog on the island, Beau. was his name lobstering was his game!! He would love rolling in the dead seals. I was too little so I got out of that chore! We’d trick or treat & go to every home. Pillowcase bags did the trick. We wandered the Island & my siblings told me Captain Hook was in the swampy waters across from Stinky Beach,
I could run & I was scared. David would shoot the kitchen hose through the screen at me. Ann & shared a room. David & Robbie had the one next to us. We hauled all learned to haul with my Dad
He’d come home look over his paper ✔️ ing for mischief! Ann was had charm & beauty, Robbie was protective & goofy. David was the cutie. I came around & I was the tantrum scream queen!
May the Angels bring you home.
I was so saddened to hear about the loss of David recently. I knew David through my brother Wayne and his wife, Laurie, my sister-in-law. My deepest sympathy to David’s family and friends. May you be at peace. 💙
I’ve known Dave since King JHS. He was selected to be our gym leader along with Dave Meuse because they were both great athletes and respected leaders, and most significantly, they were both kind to everyone and that never changed. He was also a fun guy to have as a teammate in track and football. No one outworked him, and no one was a better teammate.
David,
Was a friend of mine who I would see when his ship, the Iwo Jima made port in Norfolk.
He and his friend Mike would meander into the Campus of Old Dominion Uni. During 88/89 and that’s where I met Dave & Mike. We spent many fun times together. Hos smile was infectious!
Love and light to his family and may Dave be at peace.
Pam who now lives down under 🙏🦘
We worked together at UPS…
just his presence.
you could always count on Dave.
A very good man that was selfless.
I’m sure most know that David didn’t do anything just halfway. He went all out when he did something.
You were a good man Dave. I’ll never forget your support when I was going through tough times.
Thoughts and prayers🙏
Dave and I were classmates at King Jr. He was a fun loving old soul. That was 50 yrs ago! I’m so glad to see his lifes accomplishments.
God Bless🌸
Anytime we got together!
I’m sorry I didn’t see you lately, and I will miss you buddy!
We met in High school, worked together a T Paul’s Food Center downtown.
One of my best friends, we didnt see each other much in the last few years, and im really sorry i didnt
Introduced me to The Pizza Joint. They used to be in a small place near Morrill’s corner, you could easily miss it, tucked in beside a Cumberland Farms. He toke me there one night in in yellow VW Bug, and we got large Nightmares, ate the whole thing! Whenever I am home, I get a nightmare now. I will this week.☀️
His intensity
Rest in peace brother, the darkness is gone.
A Letter From A Sister
Although our lives went East and West as a brother to me you were the absolute…. best. We grow up, we grow old but our childhood lingers. The memories of silly things visit us clear.
In High School people were my friends because they were yours. I was like a shirt tail, the untucked kind. Following you around, affiliated but never as good. Wherever you went I wanted to go too.
You borrowed my jeans and I was pissed that they fit. But they probably looked better on you than on me.
We spent the same time doing our hair but yours as usual looked better than mine. Your shirt was always pressed, your hair we dared not touch, your smile could light the room your wit sealed the deal.
You had a gift and used it well. A strong sense of others, giving and kind, let it go it’s no bother. You dismissed the bad and sought out the good no matter how hard at times it was to find.
Now this life has claimed your end, a final race you ran your best. You gave your all in every way, the same race for us all will one day end.
The Lord said I go to prepare a place for you, were it not true I would have told you so. The life above is no more tears, a place of peace, an everlasting love.
Although our tears in full shall fall, fade in time we will dry them off. We will remember your joy and it will fill our hearts, for we know that is exactly how you will remember us all.
Until that day we meet again you belong to our creator, a time for rest. Until that day within my heart, a brother to me you will always be…..the absolute best. – Holly Pitkin O’Brien