SACO — The Honorable Peter W. Daoutakos Danton, 86, of Saco, died unexpectedly March 16, 2015 at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford, bringing to a close a dedicated life of public service to Saco, York County and the State of Maine.
He was born in Biddeford on July 11, 1928, the son of Vasilios Daoutakos and Demetra (Kargakos) Daoutakos.
He graduated from Biddeford High School, attended both Portland Junior College and the University of New England and graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta in 1987 with a B.S. in public administration. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Peter was involved in various local businesses in Saco and Old Orchard Beach, most notably owning and operating the Hitching Post and Holiday Chateau Restaurants. He also owned and managed the Whitehall Building in Old Orchard Beach, initially with his sister, Katherine. Peter was always willing to mentor those who sought to enter the restaurant business, offering guidance and oftentimes rolling up his sleeves to provide hands-on training.
While Peter derived great satisfaction from operating his local businesses, his true passion was his life-long public service to the state of Maine. He began his political career at the local level as Police Commissioner of Saco, and was soon elected to the Maine State Senate. Peter served for seven terms, from 1971-72 through 1979-80, 1983-84 and 1985-86; in three of those terms he served as Assistant Minority Leader. He also was chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation.
Although a partisan, he served during an era when “working across the aisle” was not just something to say, but something that was actually done without saying it. Peter often spoke of the friendships he developed with those he served, regardless of their political affiliation, several of which became lifelong friends.
During his time in the Maine Legislature, Peter was involved in many initiatives that where beneficial to the York County region, including his support of the Maine Community Colleges, efforts establishing the University of New England in Biddeford, and the Saco River Corridor Commission.
Peter also served in two gubernatorial administrations, as special assistant for Governor Joseph E. Brennan and as chairman of the Liquor and Lottery Commission, and as a member of the Gambling Control Board during Governor John E. Baldacci’s administration. Additionally, he was Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary of State Rodney S. Quinn and served on the Maine Turnpike Authority Board.
He helped guide those interested in seeking public office, and many who aspired to serve at the local and state level sought his counsel. He continued to be a sounding board for those who held various positions within state government in the executive and legislative branches.
Most importantly, he was dedicated to his family and was always there to support, listen, and offer advice to his siblings and many nieces and nephews. To those in his immediate family, as well as extended family and friends, “Uncle Pete” was a steady presence in the celebrations and the times of sorrow that are part of life.
He was also proud of his Greek heritage and was a parishioner at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Through the years, he was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Eagles, and Saco and York County Democratic Committees, among other organizations.
He had a very strong sense of family and community and loved to share stories about his family, lifelong friends, and legislative experiences. His compassion and generosity extended to countless people he met throughout his life. Many of those in the community who he served in the Legislature continued to seek his assistance to this day.
He is preceded in death by: his brothers, Nicholas W. (Daoutakos) Danton, Thomas Daoutakos and Michael Daoutakos; and his sisters, Katherine Gregorakos, Antonia Burnham, Stella Bloom, Maria Economos, and Georgia Mouzas.
He is survived by: his significant other of 38 years, Joanne M. Laliberte of Saco; his sister, Amelia Giatas of Saco; nephews, William Burnham of Dover, New Hampshire, Alexander Mouzas of Biddeford, and William Danton of Old Orchard Beach; nieces, Sharon Strangas of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Domna Giatas, Demetra Giatas and Dyonisia Giatas, all of Portland; great-nephews, William Burnham Jr. and Charles Burnham, both of Dover, New Hampshire, Nicholas Strangas of Eliot, Nicholas Danton, James Danton, and Peter Danton, all of Old Orchard Beach; great-nieces, Kim Roush of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Carol Bergen of Freemont, New Hampshire, and Anastasia Strangas of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; great-grandnieces, Stephanie Roush of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Chelsea Strangas of Eliot.
Visiting Hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, with the Trisagion Prayer Service at 5 p.m. on March 20 at Cote Funeral Home, 87 James St., Saco.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco.
Burial will be in the spring at St. Demetrios Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco. To sign the guestbook or leave condolences, go to www.cotefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mass. Eye and Ear Development/Suzanne Kouri, 243 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114 ”“ Payable to: The Foundation for Mass. Eye and Ear ”“ Husain Research and Teaching Fund, www.masseyeandear.org/donations/.
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