Donald M. Brewer ’55 died on May 21, 2018, in Portland, Maine.

(The following was published in Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on May 26, 2018):

Donald Brewer ’55 and his daughter Barbara ’89 in Brunswick in May 1989 for Barbara’s Bowdoin graduation.

Donald M. Brewer of Portland passed away on May 21, 2018, after a relatively brief illness just days shy of his eighty-fifth birthday. 

Donald was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1933, but arrived in Maine to attend Bowdoin College. After meeting Marie Grover, from Topsham, at a dance between Bowdoin College and Westbrook Junior College, Donald decided to make Maine his forever home.

Donald and Marie Brewer were married in 1955 and first settled in Portland where Donald started his lifelong career in banking. Donald advanced his way through the banking ranks, beginning as a part-time teller in Portland and, at the high-point, serving as Vice President for Maine National Bank in Bangor. Sadly, he ended his career not with a gold watch and a well-attended retirement party, but as an employee of Fleet Bank who simply provided his date of retirement on which he packed up his desk and left the building. Despite this, Donald learned to enjoy his retirement. He and Marie settled back in Portland and he discovered a passion for bike touring. Soon he combined his love of cycling with traveling. He took several bike tours through Europe that included coastal Greece, southern France, and Ireland (his personal favorite).

When he wasn’t on his bike, Donald spent a considerable amount of time at the gym, reading, gardening, and, as he would say, keeping his hands and face busy. He remained independent until his last days forced him to become otherwise. He will be greatly missed by those he loved and who knew him best. 

Donald is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Marie; and his children, Glenn Brewer of Bangor, Suzanne Ndure and husband Ousman of Westbrook, Adam Brewer and wife Kassandra of Bangor, and Barbara Brewer and husband Steven Chabot of Portland; several grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Donald’s family wishes to thank the staff of the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their compassion and kindness during his last, most difficult, days.