CHELSEA – Daniel R. Albert, 68, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Maine Medical Center as a result of a tragic accident while tending his fire pit on April 26, 2023, in Chelsea.

Dan was born Nov. 5, 1954, in Island Falls, Maine, to the late Kenneth and Velma Branscombe Albert. He attended schools in Pittston and Gardiner, graduating from Gardiner Area High School in 1973. He also graduated with an associate degree from the University of Maine in Augusta.

Most of Dan’s life involved his love for music. He had a beautiful voice and could sing anything, with anyone. He played guitar, piano, mandolin, violin and banjo. He was involved with several bands, including a group from the early days of the UMA music program. For several years, he was lead singer for the rhythm and blues band, Red Light Revue. They had a five-year gig at the Big Easy on Fore Street in Portland, and it was there where Billy Joel sauntered in to listen after docking his boat. It was a thrill for Dan when, after meeting during a break, Joel joined him on stage. The group also played at many weddings, etc., throughout New England. In his later years, he took his volunteer music gift to patients at VA Maine HCS, as well as to inmates in Warren, with Kairos of Maine for prison ministry.

Dan was passionate about reducing the use of fossil fuels and using renewable resources. He was very interested in windmills for use on individual homes and built a small version to determine the effectiveness; he was satisfied with the results. He was an advocate for providing shelter and homes for those in need, and was dedicated to assisting anyone who was down and out and/or needing help with mental illness. Having experienced many years of untreated bipolar disorder, Dan became convinced maintaining appropriate medication was the way to go.

He enjoyed whitewater rafting in the Forks; fishing trips with his brothers, cousins and nephews; canoeing the Kennebec River on which he enjoyed owning his first home; family pig roasts, celebrations, and just being together; a good game of poker; strumming his many musical instruments; and his great love of reading. He will be remembered for his varied gifts of music, kindness, curiosity, energy and his faith in God.

Danny is predeceased by his parents and grandparents; and brothers, Ken and Rocky in 2022. He is survived by his partner Cindy Thomas of Chelsea; daughters Amanda Short and Lindsay (Craig) Richards and granddaughters Mila, Elena, and Naomi Richards of New Hampshire. He is also survived by siblings Mary Pillsbury of West Gardiner; Dawn (Jerry) Millette of Florida; Linda (Denny) Foster of Gardiner; David (Carol) Albert of Pittston; Lori (Rick) Hafner of Auburn; Tom (Dana) Albert of Standish; sister-in-law, Carolyn Albert of Pittston; and step siblings Teddy Morin of North Whitefield; Hershel Albert of Augusta; Camilla (John) McKinney of Cape Elizabeth; Julia Peron of Topsham; Uncle Jack and Aunt Jayne Branscombe of Bangor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Staples Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gardiner, followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Gardiner.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with family on Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

For those who wish to contribute, memorial donations are encouraged to help support Kairos of Maine,

P.O. Box 578,

Auburn, ME 04212-0578

or at http://www.kairosofmaine.org

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