Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts (DEFFA) is a non-profit membership organization whose goal is to nurture and promote the living traditions of folk music and dance in Maine. In normal times we publish a monthly newsletter with news, calendar listings, information, and other items of interest to the Maine folk art, music, and dance community. Since the onset of the pandemic the newsletter has been on hiatus (though if you could be interested in becoming the new editor, contact us…), but the event calendar is available!
Don Osier – In Memoriam
Donald Osier, 72, died peacefully at sunrise on Thursday, February 8 after a brief illness. Donald was born on September 14, 1951 to Theodore Osier, a New Harbor native, and Lois Osier from a Connecticut farming family. Raised in Manchester, Connecticut, Donald graduated from Manchester High School, then attended and graduated from Bates College in 1973. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Michigan State University.
Don lived by the following mission: “Live a happy, healthy, productive life, and help others do the same.” He worked in education his whole life – as a science teacher in Hanover, MA, a guidance counselor in Owl’s Head, and in different capacities in the University of Maine system for 31 years. For many years prior to his retirement in 2019, Don served as the Director of Learning Success at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Don moved to his father’s family home in New Harbor in 1992. He relished his deepening friendships with neighbors and friends, some of whom he had known since childhood. He also enjoyed making improvements to the house, fishhouse and wharf, helping neighbors, and tending his garden. He loved it when people would pull over, roll down the car window and say how much they admired his prized gladiola patch.
Don loved to sing and dance. Over the years he sang classical choral music, barbershop, madrigals, community theater, and opera. He performed with a number of Midcoast Maine’s wonderful choral groups including Tapestry Singers, Oratorio Chorale and the St. Cecilia Chamber Choir.
An enthusiastic contra dancer, Don went to dances all over Maine as well as contra dance festivals and camps in 18 other states, England, and St. Croix. Contra dance was even part of Don’s retirement party.
One of Don’s grandfathers, Elmer, was a lobsterman and, for many years, head boatman at the Audubon Camp on Hog Island. Don carried on those traditions in his own way. In his younger years, Don was a staff member on several Audubon cross country expeditions. Later, once he had settled in New Harbor, Don used the fishhouse as a workshop to repair or restore more than one skiff for friends and neighbors. He also volunteered at the Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Pemaquid.
Don wrote the following words in a profile for his 50th reunion at Bates last year: “The stairs to the first floor in my house come down to a door looking north across the head of the harbor. I look across the harbor every morning and notice the changes from the day before. It keeps me humble to be reminded that my life is one tiny part of an immense universe that keeps moving on regardless of my day-to-day experiences. And so, the journey continues.”
Donald is survived by his brother, Carl, Carl’s partner Steve Collins; by Sarah Tomasello, his loving partner; and by Marshall Hansen of Northfield, Minnesota, Don’s college roommate and lifelong friend.
A celebration of Don’s life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the organizations mentioned here or to a group or organization important to you.
Condolences, and messages for Don’s family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Calling folk culture enthusiasts! Are you a Maine resident who would like to help nurture and promote the living traditions of folk music and dance in our state? Are you looking to connect with others who share these interests? Do you have some time in your schedule to be a volunteer? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts (DEFFA) wants to hear from you!
DEFFA is always looking for new folk to serve on its Board of Directors. If you are interested, we encourage you to fill out this brief online survey. Or if you know others who might fit the description above, please pass the link to the survey to them as well!
Music and Dance Events
Are you a performer or an organizer? Submit events and directory listings.
Black Lives Matter
DEFFA stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the fight to end the racial injustices built into our government, institutions, arts, and cultural narratives. Traditions of folk music and dance have been influenced by these same forces of racism and oppression. Read DEFFA’s full statement and find links to further resources.