Service Set for Portland Man Who Died in Afghanistan

Funeral arrangements have been finalized for a Portland National Guardsman who died while on active duty in Afghanistan.
Patrick Daniel Damon, 41, of Falmouth died unexpectedly June 15 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan while serving in the 240th Engineer Group of the Maine Army National Guard. Visiting hours are Wednesday, June 21 from 6 to 8 PM and Thursday, June 22 from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8PM at the Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street in Portland.

The funeral will be held on Friday, June 23 at 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 309 Congress St., Portland.

The son of Ellsworth Damon and Barbara Damon Day, Pat was born in Portland and grew up in Newcastle. He graduated from the Hyde School in Bath, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Master’s Degree from the Muskie School of Public Policy at the University of Southern Maine. Pat had served in the Army National Guard for twenty years, earning the rank of captain.

Pat had a distinguished career in Maine State Government, including serving as Chief of Staff in both the House Speaker’s Office and House Majority Office. Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan, he was serving as Administrative Director of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Pat was widely respected and admired by his colleagues for his extraordinary work ethic, positive attitude, and unparalleled command of public policy issues and strategies.

Pat brought an unusual compassion and enthusiasm to his work and found great satisfaction in finding creative solutions to problems faced by ordinary Maine people. He was a gifted problem solver, and considered public service a privilege and his true calling.

Pat valued his family above all. He was especially devoted to his loving wife of 19 years, Hildi Halley, and their beloved children Mikayla, 14, and Jan-Christian, 12. Together, the family enjoyed school events at the Merriconeag Waldorf School in Freeport, where the children are students, and camping vacations around Maine and the Maritimes. Pat also leaves behind his mother and father, beloved twin sister, Alecia, with whom he grew up and remained close throughout his life, brother-in-law Mark Tenney, mother-in-law Hilda Julia, father-in-law Ted Norbert, father-in-law Gustavo Halley Sr., mother-in-law Sarah Halley, brother-in-law Gustavo Halley and step-father Richard Day.

A college education savings account has been established for Mikayla and Jan-Christian Damon. Contributions should be sent to Damon Children College Fund, c/o Merrill Lynch, P.O. Box 9784, Portland, ME 04101.