A graveside service with military honors for Donald G. Fish, 84, who passed away July 24, 2020, will be held Monday, August 10, 2020, at 11 a.m., at Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with Donald’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

THOMASTON — It is with heavy hearts the family of Donald G. Fish, 84, announce his peaceful passing on Friday, July 24, 2020 at the Sussman House in Rockport after a short battle with cancer.

Born December 3, 1935 in Appleton to Guy K. and Glenys (Drake) Fish, Donald grew up raking blueberries, picking apples, and working on the family farm.

He loved to hunt and fish and at the age of twelve he shot his first deer, a nine point buck. At seventeen, he joined the United States Air Force and traveled extensively, living in Tripoli, Libya, Tokyo Japan, Galena Alaska, and many states in the continental United States.

Donald Served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and after 20 years of service he retired from the U.S. Air Force on September 23, 1973.

Shortly thereafter, he began his second career as a Correctional Officer and Assistant Showroom Manager for the Maine State Prison, from which he retired in 1993.

Donald was a past member of the Rockland Elk’s and the American Legion. He never had a shortage of jokes to tell. He enjoyed family gatherings, camping, playing darts, chasing the ladies, and spending time with his grandsons.

A voracious reader, self-taught Civil War historian and trivia buff, there weren’t many topics he didn’t know something about.

Predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife, Shirley Demmons Fish, whom he married on September 11, 1954; two sisters, Dot Fish McPheters and Beverly Fish; three brothers, Stanley Fish, Erkie Fish, and Kenneth Fish; he is survived by his loving daughter, Debra Fish Barter; brother Byron Fish; sister, Katie Fish Drinkwater; brother in-law, Richard Pease; sister in-laws, Mary McCluskey and Sylvia Fowles; his loving companion, Sylvia Smith; two grandsons he was especially proud of, Christopher Clough and Don Clough; five great grandchildren, Julia, Ethan, Rylee, Ian, and Emily, and several nieces and nephews.

Donald was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Debra wishes to express a sincere thank you to the Pen Bay Cancer Center, the Sussman House, and especially his nurse Val for their companionship during his final days.

A graveside service for Donald will be announced on a later date.

To share a memory or condolence with Donald’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.