Donald "Don" C. Page

GORHAM- Donald (Don) C. Page passed away October 19, 2018 at 80 years old. He was born September 23, 1938 and grew up in Hiram, Maine. The son of Eleanor Hartford Thoutte and Stanley Clyde Page. His grandparents were dairy farmers. As a young adult, he would get up early in the morning to milk the cows, by hand, before going off to school. He worked on the farm for many years. “In 1960 Don enlisted in the U. S. Army and after basic training was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia where he studied construction drafting. Then from there he was stationed at Fort Bragg as a member of the 82nd Airborne Chemical Group and was made sergeant. He went to “jump school” at Fort Benning, Georgia and became Jump Master and completed approximately 50 jumps. Don had 40 soldiers in his platoon. Later on, he participated in radiation monitoring named “Operation Roller Coaster” at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico with 12 soldiers under his command. He monitored and recorded radiation levels at the U.S. and U.K. Scientific Research Project at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. The tests were conducted on plant and animal life within a 15-mile radius. In 1962 he was part of the security guard team that protected, civil rights advocate, James Meredith as he entered the University of Mississippi, as the first African American accepted into the school.” After serving his time in the military, Dons working career began at Keddy’s Manufacturing in South Windham, Maine as a “hammer man” and furnace operator. He worked there for a few years. “Then in 1968 he started his career at W. H. Nichols Co as a broach operator (the company manufactures Gerotor Pumps) for a short period of time. Quickly he was made foreman and later supervisor of the “Broach and Cone Dept”. Later in his career in 1985 the organization went through a cost reduction program. Don and his team reduced scrap materials from 17% to 2%. Don was presented an Outstanding Achievement Award in 1986. As a tribute to his efforts. the company established the “Don Page Cost Reduction Award” to honor yearly achievements for cost reductions.” Don retired after 34 years with W.H. Nichols Co in 2002. In Don’s free time he was an avid sports follower. He loved to plant his garden and it kept increasing in size every year. He and his spouse enjoyed trips to the casino and playing bingo. Don leaves behind his spouse Eugenia Sawyer Page of 56 years of marriage; a son Steven Page of Washington, DC; son David Page of Los Angeles CA; daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Michael Hicks of Gorham, Maine and two granddaughters Heather Hicks and Kayla Hicks as well as a great grandson. He also had a son (James Page) that predeceased him in 1994. A memorial service for Don will be held Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 11:00am at the Windham Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee, 434 River Road, Windham with Rev. Mary Stimson officiating. Interment will take place following the service at Hillside Cemetery, Gorham.

Donald "Don" C. Page

September 23, 1938 - October 19, 2018

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