Donald L. Harkins

Portland- This is the story of a wonderful storyteller, Donald L. Harkins, Sr. Don was a wonderful man who was deeply loved, is sadly missed, and will always be honored and cherished. This main character had many names. "Donnie", as he was called by his loving wife of 55 years, Susan Barry Harkins? "Dad/Papa Harks" by his children; "Grampy" or "Papa" as he was often called by his 4 grandchildren? "Don the barber" as he was known as by his hundreds of loyal customers who frequented his barber shop in Westbrook, and probably his favorite nicknames of "Southpaw" or "Harki", often called during his younger years by fellow classmates, teammates, coaches and professional scouts. Don had an amazing personality with a smile that could lighten a darkened room. Don's story began January 9, 1942 in Portland, Maine. The youngest of eight children born to Walter and Ethel Harkins, he grew up running around the streets of downtown Portland looking for anyone to play baseball or basketball with. After graduating from Portland High School in 1960, Don joined the United States Navy where he proudly served his country. Soon after he came home, he met his life partner, Sue....or Jeannie as he called her. He worked his way through barber school and with the endless support from Jeannie, he was finally able to open his own barber shop on Brown Street in Westbrook known as "Man's Image", a landmark in Westbrook for over 35 years. Patrons and friends a like, would go in for a quick haircut and come out two hours later after hearing crazy stories, funny jokes and laughing so hard their bellies ached. Don was dedicated to his customers and his barbershop,his family, however was the most important to him. It was not uncommon for Don to close the shop for a few hours on a busy Saturday to watch his children or grandchildren play in various sporting events. Don loved to work with his hands. He would sit for hours and complete puzzles, make lamp and plants hangers using macrame and even dabbled a bit in needle hook. He could "fix" just about anything with a bungee cord, duct or electrical tape and often hid the bigger projects with a tarp. He enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren out to the backyard to throw a baseball. His passion for the game never stopped, his heart was filled while watching his beloved Red Sox. Don always talked about traveling, but at the end of the day, he was most content to be at home with his wife. He was not a fan of commotion but thoroughly relished any time spent talking and visiting with family, friends and neighbors. Don was a very proud, independent man, completing all of his home chores and "fixing" anything that was broke. Don was predeceased by his father, Walter P. Harkins, mother, Ethel Trask Harkins? sisters, Frances Rousseau, Lillian Bliss, and Constance Dittmar? brothers, Walter, Jack and George Harkins. Loved ones that will miss Don until they meet again are his wife, Susan Harkins? children, Donald Harkins Jr. and wife Nancy, Laurie Hodgdon and husband Jeffrey, and Leslie Lyden and husband Michael? grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Logan, and Isabelle and several nieces, nephews, cousins, customers and friends. And so the story goes on until we see our Don/Dad/Grampy/Papa again. We love you and will miss you dearly. May you be free of pain to enjoy throwing around a baseball, enlightening your pallet with all of your favorite flavors and may your heart continue to grow to allow for an abundance of love and to be loved. Visiting hours celebrating Don's life will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10:15am on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland, ME. To view Don's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Don's memory to: Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04072