Dale W. Burnell

Raymond – Dale W. Burnell “Mr. Dale,” 77, a devoted husband, father, and beloved Papa, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with ALS—exactly one year after his diagnosis.

Born in Portland on March 27, 1948, Dale was the son of Kenneth and Nona Burnell. He graduated from Portland High School in 1966 and married the love of his life, Marzie R. Parker, in October 1967. Together, they made their home in Raymond, where Dale became a cherished figure in the community.

In 1979, Dale began his long tenure as custodian at Jordan-Small School, a role he held with pride until his retirement in 2019. Generations of Raymond students knew and loved “Mr. Dale,” whose presence in the halls was a constant source of kindness and care. He also drove the school bus, further deepening his connection with local families.

Dale served with dedication on the Raymond Volunteer Fire Department, rising through the ranks to become Fire Chief. His commitment to public service extended beyond firefighting—after being treated for prostate cancer, he became an active member of the Dempsey Center’s support group in Lewiston. He helped establish the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer, serving as a volunteer counselor and advocate for others facing similar challenges.

A skilled woodworker, Dale often repurposed pallets into handcrafted items he donated to charity. He was rarely seen without his camera, capturing Maine’s wildlife and scenic beauty with an artist’s eye. Trains were another lifelong passion, sparking joy and curiosity throughout his life. His deep appreciation for tradition and community was also reflected in his decades-long membership with the Danville Grange, where he was honored this May with a certificate recognizing 50 years of dedicated service.

Dale was predeceased by his parents and his sister. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marzie; his children: Gina Maloney and her husband David of Standish, Tracey Small and her husband Bill of Bowdoinham, and Cory Burnell and his partner Jared Howard of Raymond; and his grandsons, David Jr. and Brandon of Standish.

Graveside 11am Monday the 15th in Riverside Cemetery Cornish.   Celebration of Life, Saturday 20th from 1-3 at Danville Grange, 15 Grange Street, Auburn, ME.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer in Dale’s name. http://mcfpc.org .

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