WINDHAM- Donn Hugh Karatsanos, Sr., son of Jack and Hazel (Fraser), born in Portland on August 7, 1944, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Donn was a lover of people and animals. He loved Maine and attended school in Portland, building great memories of his neighborhood, his friends, and their legendary times. Although he studied to be a machinist, he couldn’t see himself being “stuck” inside all day. Instead, he used these skills to become a mechanic and handyman. He wasn’t afraid of a project, even if he should have been! He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam era and was a true Patriot. He was a kind, genuine man with a positive attitude who made a friend everywhere, helping other people at every opportunity. Healways said he'd leap and then look for a place to land, wearingthat as a badge. He had many bumps and bruises along the way to prove it. He retired from a career in trucking after travelingthree million miles, coast-to-coast. He saw a lot and loved to tell stories about his escapades. He was most proud of his 15 years of traveling with one of his trusty dogs while delivering for Old Town Canoe. He also lettered the trucks and some canoes while working there. Donn played in many bands over the years, he loved to play the guitar and sing. He was able to express his creative side with construction and sign painting,skills he learned tagging behind his dad and brother. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed camping and boating. Donn led a full life.
He loved his kids and his family. If you were a friend, he loved you like family. He is survived by wife Laura Pecoraro and herfamily-mother Margery Pecoraro, brother Peter and Nancy Margiloff and daughter Jennifer, Susan Margiloff, Melissa and Nick D’Alfonso and their children Joshua D’Alfonso and Melanie Veilleux and kids, Nick and Casey D’Alfonso and kids, Anthony and Kristie D’Alfonso and kids, and many cousins; his daughter Kristal Karatsanos and husband Mike Harriman; son Donn Karatsanos, Jr. and Danielle; sister Marjorie Hillyer and family; Sheila Anderson and family, and nephew Scott. He had some great long-term friends in Harry and Debbie Bailey, Josi and David Haskell, Keith and Sue Gurney, Jeff and Lisa Weeks, Per Hanson, David Arsenault, RO Hager, Cheryl Noel, Beverly Preston and family. He had too many friends to list, he was loved by so many. If you knew him, you knew him. He knew you too. If you got near him, you had a new friend. If he lovedyou, he is with you.
Many thanks to the medical teams at Mercy Hospital and Maine Med for taking such great care of him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Animal Refuge League(www.arlgp.org) or at 217 Landing Road, Westbrook, Maine 04092 so that more senior dogs can be adopted, as pets made a huge difference in his life.
Please stop by the South Windham Community Church, (31 Main Street, South Windham), where we will have a celebration of life on Sunday, April 13 at 2pm to share stories of love and friendship. Condolence messages and donations can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
- Celebrating the Lives of Veterans -