Donald "Don" Sprague, of Wiscasset, Maine passed away on May 23, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Don was a gentle man, well liked and known for his kindness and easy smile, as well as for his enterprising nature. He was always developing inventions to solve everyday problems. He was an avid ham radio enthusiast, and he loved to travel. He loved computers and everything to do with technology and taught himself programming in the early days of PCs and Macs. He loved music (especially polka music), politics, family, food, and boating.

Don was born in Bath on July 11, 1943 and grew up in Wiscasset, Maine. He graduated from Wiscasset High School in 1961, where he was an accomplished track star. He studied engineering at the University of Maine in Orono, and was then recruited by NASA, where he joined the team that created the fuel cells used in the Apollo Moonshot program. 

His willingness to try new things then led him around the country, dabbling in various trades such as bait dealing, bridge painting and insurance sales (to name a few) before eventually settling back in Maine. He and his wife Mona started their plastics recycling and pinwheel making business, "Sprague Plastics." They sold pinwheels everywhere from fairs and trade shows, to stores and toy distributors. They sold Sprague Plastics to Valley Toys in the early 80s, and they relocated their family to California, where Don was hired by Valley as VP of toy development, putting his engineering acumen to use developing new toys. 

They returned to Maine in 1987, and Don started Downeast Solutions, where he worked as a freelance computer programming consultant.  Don pioneered Maine's elver fishing industry, beginning by fishing for elvers in the late 60s, and returned to the industry when he returned to Maine. Don was an integral part of the elver boom of the 90s, working as an exporter and buying from several hundred fishermen around the state. His passion for the industry took him around the world, from China to the Caribbean, as he worked towards expanding the elver market. He remained an advocate for and active in the industry until his death. 

Donald was predeceased by his mother and father, Grover and Thelma (Berry) Sprague.

He is survived by brothers, Frank Sprague and wife Linda of Wiscasset, and Marvin Sprague of Wiscasset; his wife, Mona Sprague of Wiscasset; son, Kelsey Sprague and partner Sarita of Edgecomb; daughter, Jaime Sprague and partner Chris of Mount Vernon; daughter, Cindi Seiders and partner John of Rockland; and his daughter Dawn of Illinois; his five grandchildren, Savannah Seiders and husband Taegan of Houston, TX, Zoie Sprague of Richmond, Noah Cunningham of Waldoboro, Ben Cunningham of Illinois, and Veda Tibbetts of Mount Vernon; as well as great-grandson, Jerimiah of Richmond.  

He will be greatly missed by all. "Elver, Elver!"

A memorial service will be held later this summer at a date to be announced.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.