BRUNSWICK

The Midcoast is grieving after losing an icon last week with the death of Daniel “Danny” McDonald, whose hot dog stand has been a landmark on the Brunswick Mall for nearly 35 years.

The man himself was a force long before opening Danny’s On The Mall in 1982 and at age 69, leaves a local legend. People all over the world have eaten at Danny’s, which continued after he turned the business over to his sons in 2000.

McDonald sold hot dogs at Cy’s Bowling Alley run by his grandparents until 1966. He sold dogs at a few other establishments, including Mike’s Place on Maine Street next to Bamforth Marine, before opening Danny’s.

Former Town Councilor Jerry Favreau wrote on The Times Record Facebook page that when the area was redeveloped, “Danny had the courage to approach the town of Brunswick for a permit to sell hot dogs on the Mall. He was met with opposition, but with the support of local followers he prevailed.”

Mickey Yanok of Brunswick grew up with McDonald and said he played sports growing up. A big guy who was fast and strong, he focused on football in high school. His nickname was Peanuts.

“He was very devoted to his friends, his school, his teams, and was very active in the school,” Yanok said. “Danny was always the first in the crowd to figure out where the next party would be; always the first to get everyone together.”

It was very fast-paced, he said, and the group could often be found at Fat Boy Drive In, another iconic eatery in town, before or after their shenanigans.

“He was just so intense as a friend, a family member,” Yanok said. He engendered unbelievable camaraderie in everyday life.

An avid sports nut, Yanok said one of the reasons Danny’s On The Mall was such a draw was because McDonald always knew what was going on in sports, including the local youth teams. Whether they were 8 or 80, he could talk sports with customers.

McDonald sponsored several area sports teams and wouldn’t say no when it came to supporting youth.

“It was always a privilege to be on a Danny’s team growing up,” wrote Robert Cooper on Facebook.

Sonya (Rapoza) Morrell grew up in Brunswick and knew McDonald and his family well. She worked at the hot dog stand a few summers.

“I can’t really imagine a better place to work as a high school student,” Morrell said. “You’re outside, all your friends are stopping by, you’re working with friends, and working for somebody who treated you like you were part of their family, but still respected you and … wanted to make you a better person and a good employee.”

They steamed or grilled the dogs which many call the best, but there was nothing unusual in their preparation. It was the experience that attracted people, Morrell said.

A giving man, McDonald wouldn’t hesitate to offer a hot dog to someone who was homeless or didn’t have enough money.

Even if you didn’t know him, while ordering a dog, “he just made you feel like he’d be your best friend forever,” Morrell said.

“Danny was an ambassador for Brunswick,” said David Watson, a lifelong resident of Brunswick and a town councilor. “He was a rock. He was part of the reason people came to the Mall.”

Watson told of the time McDonald was in Florida on vacation and pulled up to an intersection. The driver in the car next to him rolled down their window and said, “Aren’t you from Danny’s in Brunswick, Maine?” Watson said. “That’s being a true ambassador.”

McDonald just clicked with people, Watson said, and was a nice guy.

“His boys, Jeff and Sean, they’re carrying on a big tradition and they do a pretty good job of it. There’s a huge following of people who go to the Mall just to go to Danny’s,” Watson said.

He’s waited in line with Brunswick High School alumni home from California who had to hit up Danny’s.

“It’s coming home to Brunswick. That’s one of the things that make Brunswick the community that it is,” Watson said. “And they have pretty good hot dogs too. Personally, I will miss Danny, he was a super guy. As long as we remember Danny, he is still with us.”

• FUNERAL service information for Daniel McDonald

Where: Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick

Visitation: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2-4 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.

Service: Thursday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.