Passages: July 22, 2023
- July 22nd 2023
- Passages/Obituaries
Justin E. Daley, 54, of Sanford, died Thursday, July 6 in Sanford. He was born in Biddeford on September 7, 1968, the son of Eugene and Olive (Ellis) Daley. Justin was a good, caring man who spent much of his life helping others. He was the fourth of five children. When he was two years old, Carol, the fifth child, joined the family. Justin and Carol shared a special bond throughout his life. Justin was an imaginative and active kid who became interested in history and politics at a young age. He often listened to a recording of JFK’s speeches and could recite the presidential oath of office while still an elementary school student. Justin was a long-time admirer of Civil War leader Joshua Chamberlain. As a Boy Scout in Troop 327 in Sanford, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout creating a playroom for children at the Unitarian Church in honor of his friend Tim.
Justin loved to play soccer and was an avid long-distance runner. He began competing in road races when he was seven years old and he won many races over the years. Justin was allowed to practice with the Sanford High School cross country team when he was only in fifth grade and he developed a long stride trying to keep up with the high school runners. Later, he competed on the Sanford High School track and field team with great success. Justin, as a senior, placed 4th in the states in the one-mile race. Justin also excelled in soccer and he continued running and playing soccer at both Eastern Nazarene College and West Virginia Wesleyan University.
From an early age, Justin loved the water. He was often swimming with family and friends at the Rec Area in Springvale, Maine and at the beaches of southern Maine. He would come up from Florida every year to join the family at a cottage at Goose Rocks Beach where he loved an invigorating swim in the cold Maine ocean. His athleticism and love of the water led him to a career as a lifeguard, first at the Rec Area where he also taught swimming lessons, then on to Ogunquit Beach, and finally 23 years as an Ocean Rescue Lifeguard full-time at Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beaches in Florida. According to his friend Jim, “Lifeguard Daley had an eye for lifeguarding and never missed a thing on his beach being polite and professional. He was great with kids and was an instructor in multiple junior lifeguard programs. He was a great tower lifeguard dedicated, alert, and physically fit, he made every beach safer. He saved the lives of hundreds of people in his over 25 years of ocean lifesaving, and taught dozens more how to become better lifeguards.” When he worked for Ogunquit Beach Patrol, he was part of a team that consistently won the “All New England Lifeguard Competition” the years he worked there. He enjoyed watching sports and closely followed the New England sports teams, especially the Patriots. He also drew inspiration from Olympic runner Jesse Owens.
When Justin returned home to Maine in 2012, he helped care for his father and attended to his own health needs. Justin went back briefly to Fort Lauderdale, then returned to Maine and helped care for his mother with whom he shared a love of the ocean and swimming. They made frequent trips together to Kennebunk Beach, as well as other beaches and inland lakes to enjoy a swim, walk Carol’s dogs or just sit and gaze at the water. Justin really missed these trips after his mother passed away. Justin did a lot of living in fifty-four years. He will surely be missed. For those of us who knew and loved him, a trip to the beach will forever bring thoughts and memories of Justin. Justin was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his siblings, Edmund, Dermot, Julianne, and Carol and his beloved cat Ruckus. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.
God welcomed Diane Ursula Westgate to the pearly gates on July 13,2023. Diane spent her career dedicated to the Sanford Housing Authority and the low-income residents of Sanford and the surrounding areas. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Edward Westgate and her oldest daughter Victoria Westgate. She leaves behind Kristina Westgate, Reed Westgate, and Nicholas Westgate and her grandchildren, Ke’Andra Westgate, Arianna Rufus, Kyler Rufas, Joshua Westgate, Jason Westgate, Emma Westgate, and Lyriel Westgate. Her final wishes were for a small private gathering of family.
