Danny P. Darling Sr.

SOUTH PORTLAND – Danny P. Darling Sr. of South Portland, passed away April 10, 2025, with his family all around him; after declining health for the past six months. Danny was born on Aug. 8, 1944, to Phyllis M. and Adelbert M. Darling, in Portland. He grew up in the Ferry Village neighborhood in South Portland.

He entered the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday, in 1961. He received his training as a Cavalry Scout: served in the 1st Cavalry, 1st Squadron, 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas during the Cuban Missile Crisis. While returning from a Security Mission on Nov. 22, 1963, to Fort Hood, when President Kennedy was assassinated, his Security Team was put on Alert. In 1964, he was transferred to the 14th Armored Cavalry in the Fulda Gap (USSR – Iron Curtain) on the Russian border in Germany, where he patrolled the border for the next three years, until his discharge in October 1967. He went on to join the Maine Air National Guard, where he served for 20 years, and retired after 28 years of combined service with the U.S. Army and Maine Air National Guard in 1997.

ln 1968, he enrolled at SMVTI where he studied plumbing, welding and engineering courses. He enrolled in Casco Bay College for a year and a half, taking a business degree program, while working full time as a plumber. He was a member of Local #716 Plumbers Union for 40 years. He ran his own plumbing business for 20 years.

He was involved in T-Ball, Little League and Babe Ruth with his three children, whom he loved deeply: Teryn, Danny and Dennis. He had a grandson, Tyler David Green, with whom he spent many enjoyable years and taught him how to play golf; golfing every week for several years of his young life; and with whom he continued to golf in Las Vegas, Nevada. His daughter, Teryn, knowing how much her Dad enjoyed golf, built him a putting green outside her Casita next to her home in Las Vegas, for him to practice on while visiting her in the winter.

When he met Charlotte he said, “I’ve been waiting for you, all of my life”. He was married to the love of his life, his soulmate, Charlotte (Hall) Darling; she taught him how to golf, and they both enjoyed every golf game, with usually just a stroke difference in final score. Previous members of Willowdale Golf Club, River Meadows Golf Club and current members of Sunset Ridge Golf Club in Westbrook. They enjoyed over 25 years of marriage, travelling to see their family in Canton, Ohio, and Las Vegas, Nevada; driving 12 times from Maine to Las Vegas.

For 24 years, he was a proud member of the Stewart Morrill American Legion Post 35 in South Portland. He was also a proud member of the South Portland Eagles, where he served as a Director for many years; then on to #565 Portland Eagles where he became a “Golden Eagle” after 30 years of being a member.

Danny was predeceased by his parents, Phyllis and Adelbert Darling, sisters Cynthia Merriman and Denise Savage. He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte (Hall) Darling; his children: Teryn Darling Boheme and her wife, Kathryn of Las Vegas, Nev.; Danny P. Darling, Jr. of South Portland; Dennis P. Darling of Las Vegas, Nev.; Trevor Beaulieu and his wife, Spring, of Canton, Ohio; and his grandsons: Tyler David Green of Texas; Zachary, Hunter, and Trevor Beaulieu of Canton, Ohio; plus his former wife, Judy Darling of Las Vegas, Nev. His sisters: Elizabeth Darling and Pamela Powers and her husband, Bob and many nieces.

A memorial gathering will be held at 9 a.m., on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, in South Portland, Maine.

Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.