UNION — David MacMillan, of Union, died at the age of 84 on March 28, 2024 with his family by his side. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey and raised in Hawthorne.

He met his wife, Bonnie, while at Rutgers, enlisted in the Marines and they were married a year later. They moved to California where he served as a First Lieutenant specializing in Intelligence. After 3 years, he retired as a Captain, went on to earn his master’s degree in education and taught high school English. Dave was always intrigued by the idea of living in Maine and so in 1971, they moved their family to Warren.

Together, they embraced a new way of life - raising chickens, making clothes for the kids and extensive gardening. They were farm-to-table long before it became a trend. Dave had an inquisitive mind and was always trying new things: from beekeeping to building an authentic Finnish sauna (enjoyed by his family and always followed by a jump in the snow).

Dave was passionate about learning and devoted his career to providing under-served communities with access to education, from inner-city high schools to the Maine State Prison, where he worked for over 27 years. First, as a teacher and then as Education Director, he prepared inmates to earn their GED. “One of the basic American rights is a free education,” he shared with a local newspaper. “We’re providing inmates with keys towards a productive life on the outside.” He also served as Chair of the School Board Committee for MSAD 40. An avid reader, he instilled in his children a curiosity about the world and a calm appreciation for the facts when issues were debated.

Dave loved being active and challenging himself physically. He was on the track and field team at Rutgers, the wrestling team for the Marines and biked his daily commute from Warren to Thomaston. He often competed in the caber toss at the Maine Highland Games (using a fresh cut of hardwood tree, 18 feet long and weighing 100 pounds) while proudly wearing his MacMillan tartan kilt. His muscular build and red hair earned him the nickname “Big Red” among his friends.

Dave also made his mark as a competitive discus thrower at the state and national levels. He competed in fourteen Maine Senior Games, usually finishing first in his age group. He is currently the state record holder for the age groups 55-59, 60-64, and 65-69. He also competed and frequently medaled in the National Senior Games and National Masters. In 1999, at the National Senior Games in Orlando, he won first place over a former Olympic gold medalist. His accomplishments earned him an induction into the Maine Senior Games Hall of Fame.

Dave eagerly shared his knowledge with the next generation, stopping by track and field practices at Medomak Valley High School to coach student athletes in the discus. He helped many students become top throwers in the state. After he retired from the prison, he worked as a personal trainer well into his 80’s providing strength programs and rehabilitation to a loyal group of clients.

He instilled a love of athletics in his kids Chris, Jeanne and David, who often held pushup contests to impress and entertain their father. When they competed in track and field events in high school, he was an avid supporter – offering encouragement and keeping a detailed log of every result.

When he wasn’t sharing his love of learning and fitness, he and Bonnie made mischief and fun with their closest friends Pen and Bev Williamson, Ray and Janet Gilhooly, Gay Bogard, Clayt and Joan Winchenbach and Albert and Janice Overlock. Their escapades usually took place in the great outdoors - hiking, canoe trips, pond skating, and cross-country skiing under a full moon. Through these exciting and bonding adventures, his children gained a lifelong appreciation for time in nature with family and friends.

He was very content living on Crawford Pond in Union in his later years, tracking every bird species he could find, and taking kids and grandkids out on the water for many hours of fishing, skiing and tubing.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, George and Betty MacMillan, and his great grandchild Kiera Michele.

He leaves his wife of 60 years, Bonnie; his son Chris, his wife Tracy, grandchildren Ben and Kevin, daughter-in-law Morgan and great grandchild Annie; his daughter Jeanne Murphy, her husband Paul and grandchildren Declan and Nora; and his son David and his wife Debra.

He also leaves his brother Paul and his wife Elsie; his sister Jean Hannay, her husband Rob and children Kristin and Daniel.

Please join us to celebrate Dave’s life at a Memorial Service at Hall Funeral Homes in Waldoboro on Saturday June 22, 2024 starting at 11 a.m. followed by a reception.

To share a memory or condolence with Dave’s family, please visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.