R. Niven Damon, a treasured husband, beloved father, and devoted grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 25th, 2023, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by the love of his family in the house they had called home for 42 years in Eliot, Maine.

Niven, known affectionately by some as Niv, Nivy, Capt. Niv, was born on June 25, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Alison Niven Damon and Edmund Ives Damon. He grew up in Broad Brook, Connecticut, graduated from Kents Hill in Maine in 1962, and attended the University of Connecticut.

The story of his life can be traced back to one of his greatest passions: the ocean. It is a passion that can be traced back to his childhood where he spent summers on Heron Island in South Bristol, Maine, just a stone’s throw from Boothbay Harbor. These summers spent on the water is where his love for boats began. He eventually turned this love into a summer job during college, captaining the Magnum boats out of Boothbay, which led to him joining the Coast Guard in 1966. He was delighted when he was able to serve his final post in Boothbay Harbor, where he made his home. Niven quickly took up fishing before setting on a career as a sales representative for marine products, which he pursued until his retirement.

It was during his time in Boothbay that he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Zeamer, and married in 1978. They raised two wonderful daughters and his favorite son.

After settling in Eliot, in 1981, Niven became an active member of the community, serving on numerous boards for the school, town, and his local church. He also built and managed his office building in town for 30 years.

He loved spending winters skiing with his family and summers sharing his passion for the ocean with his friends and loved ones. He was the ultimate “Daddo.” He was the “cool” dad, the “fun” dad, the “ski” dad, the “boating” dad, and truly, the best dad. Niven took great pride in everything he did, from maintaining his yard, cleaning his barn, and working on his boats to helping his friends. Above all, he enjoyed sharing his knowledge and skills with his children, who tested his near-endless patience. Whether his son crashed his boat into the dock while learning how to pilot it or his daughter accidentally rammed a tree with his tractor, or his other daughter coming home with yellow paint on his adored minivan, He always kept a loving smile on his face.

Niven is survived by his wife Jacque; his two daughters, Kerry Waters (T.J.) and Tracey Damon (Jon Vignaly); his son Jay Damon; his granddaughter Cameron; and grandsons, Oliver and Jay: sister, Faith Frasca, his mother-in-law Barbara Zeamer and numerous loving sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He had a larger than life personality with a quick wit and was someone who treated everyone with dignity and respect. His jovial, easy-going spirit and uncanny sense of humor will always be remembered and cherished by those who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Thursday, April 6, at the Regatta Room on 28 Levesque Dr. (Route 236) in Eliot, Maine, at 1 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his honor to his favorite charity, Fair Tide, 15 State Road, Kittery, Maine 03904. www.fairtide.org