Justin Eugene Daley

Justin E. Daley, 54, of Sanford, died Thursday, July 6 in Sanford. He was born in Biddeford on September 7, 1968, the son of Eugene and Olive (Ellis) Daley. Justin was a good, caring man who spent much of his life helping others. He was the fourth of five children. When he was two years old, Carol, the fifth child, joined the family. Justin and Carol shared a special bond throughout his life. Justin was an imaginative and active kid who became interested in history and politics at a young age. He often listened to a recording of JFK’s speeches and could recite the presidential oath of office while still an elementary school student. In 1980, he attended a rally in Sanford for Ted Kennedy. Justin was a long-time admirer of Civil War leader Joshua Chamberlain. Justin was a Boy Scout in Troop 327 in Sanford, earning Eagle Scout rank, his hard work culminating in a project in which he created a playroomfor children at the Unitarian Church in honor of his friend Tim. Justin loved to play soccer and was an avid distance runner. He began competing in road races when he was seven years old. He won many of the races he ran over the years. Justin was allowed to practice with the Sanford High School cross country team when he was only in fifth grade. He developed a long stride trying to keep up with the high school runners. Later, Justin competed on the Sanford High School track and field team with great success. He excelled as a distance runner and as part of a relay team. Justin placed 4th in the state in the one mile race as a senior. Justin also excelled in soccer. Justin continued running and playing soccer at both Eastern Nazarene College and West Virginia Wesleyan University. Justin also ran 5K and 10K road races. From an early age, Justin loved the water. He was often swimming with family and friends at the Rec Area in Springvale, Maine and at the beaches of southern Maine. He would come up from Florida every year to join the family at a cottage at Goose Rocks Beach where he loved an invigorating swim in the cold Maine ocean. Justin’s athleticism and love of the water led him to a career as a lifeguard, first at the Rec Area where he also taught swimming lessons, then on to Ogunquit Beach, and finally 23 years as an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard full-time at Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beaches in Florida. On his days off, Justin also worked at Pompano Beach. According to his friend Jim, “Lifeguard Daley had an eye for lifeguarding and never missed a thing on his beach. He was polite and professional when a situation called for it. He was great with kids and was an instructor in multiple junior lifeguard programs. He was a great tower lifeguard. Justin was dedicated, alert, and physically fit, and made every beach he worked at more safe. He saved the lives of hundreds of people in his over 25 years of ocean lifesaving, and taught dozens more how to become better lifeguards.” Justin continued his athletic successes as a lifeguard competing alongside his lifeguard teammates at the United States Lifesaving Association Southeast Regional competition becoming champion in the 2-Mile Run, as well as several other events that required lifeguarding skills and teamwork. When he worked for Ogunquit Beach Patrol, he was part of a team that consistently won their All New England Lifeguard Competition the years he worked there. He had good fun competing in the Annual Deerfield Beach Bed Race. Not only was Justin an athlete himself, he enjoyed watching sports and closely followed the New England sports teams throughout his life, especially the Patriots. He also drew inspiration from Olympic runner Jesse Owens. Justin liked to lend a hand wherever he could, including assisting with projects around his parents’ house. When Justin returned home to Maine in 2012, he helped care for his father and attended to his own health needs. Justin went back briefly to Fort Lauderdale, then returned to Maine and helped care for his mother with whom he shared a love of the ocean and swimming. They made frequent trips together to Kennebunk Beach, as well as other beaches and inland lakes to enjoy a swim, walk Carol’s dogs or just sit and gaze at the water. Justin really missed these trips after his mother passed away. Justin did a lot of living in fifty-four years. We will surely miss him. For those of us who knew and loved him, a trip to the beach will forever bring thoughts and memories of Justin. Justin was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his siblings, Edmund, Dermot, Julianne, and Carol and his beloved cat Ruckus. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence click on Justin's Remember Page.