Obituary: Donald Arthur Stokes

PORTLAND – Donald Arthur Stokes “Don”, 98, of Portland, passed away on June 10, 2026, with family by his side. Don was born on Feb. 19, 1928 in Westbrook, to Donald M. and Sylvia (Breton) Stokes. Don attended Cape Elizabeth High School and then graduated from Gorham State Teachers’ College in 1952. He received his master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Maine Orono in 1956, and then later received his CAS in Education from the University of Connecticut. Don was a WWII Army veteran, and was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Don met the love of his life, Juliette “Julie” Bellegarde, while they were both studying for their master’s degrees at the University of Maine Orono. They were married at Holy Family Church in Lewiston on Aug. 27, 1957, and were happily married for 63 years. Don, a lifelong and devoted educator, started his teaching career at Eliot High School. After teaching in Eliot, Don and his wife, Julie moved to Norwalk, Conn. for each of them to pursue careers in education. Don became a teacher and administrator at Eastern Junior High in Greenwich, Conn. Later, Don, Julie and their daughter Janet moved to Taunton, Mass. where Don became principal of Raynham Junior High School. To be closer to family in Maine, they later moved back to Scarborough where Don furthered his career in the Portland school district. Don taught at Lincoln Middle School, was assistant principal at Deering High School from 1969-1974 and was principal of King Middle School from 1974 until his retirement in1988. During his career, Don coached many teams, as he was an avid sports fan throughout his life. Don served on many committees while an educator. In 1968 he was selected by the U.S. Dept of Education to be part of a study mission to Eastern Europe. He also served as National Middle School Chairman and President of the Maine Secondary Principals’ Association and was recognized as an Administrator of National School Excellence. Don was also active in community organizations in both Scarborough and Falmouth as a Lions’ Club member and coached the JC Best Summer Basketball League. Don was predeceased by his wife, Juliette (Bellegarde) in 2021. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Brosnan (John) of Holyoke Mass. and Mount Pleasant, S.C.; as well as his beloved grandchildren, Conor Brosnan (Caroline), and Kiera Brosnan, all from Boston, Mass. Though Don had no siblings, he is survived as well by his sisters-in-law Claire Callahan and Monique Patenaude (Raymond); as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses. After retirement, Don and Julie enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, spending winters in Florida, as well as traveling to Europe and Bermuda. Don was an avid sports fan and especially loved following the Boston Red Sox as well as the Providence College Friars basketball team, from where his granddaughter Kiera graduated. In 2015 Don and Julie moved to the Atrium at the Cedars in Portland. Both became very involved with the activities and programs, and Don served on numerous boards and committees. Don and Julie loved their time at the Atrium and the friends and colleagues they met. The family would like to extend our sincere thanks for the care Don received at the Atrium/Cedars, especially within the last couple of months. Visiting hours celebrating Don’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited in the chapel, immediately followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christin Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Church, Scarborough. A private burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. To view Don’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit [http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com](http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com). Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or the charity of your choice Copy the Story Link