Daniel C. Caputo of Portland and Southport died Jan. 11, 2016, due to complications associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born in Newark, New Jersey, on Dec. 12, 1930, and he loved the fact that he shared that birthday with Frank Sinatra. Dan was the proud son of his Italian-American parents, Charles and Filomena (Minnie Feniello) Caputo. He grew up on State Street and later Eighth Avenue surrounded by a large Italian family, where every Sunday dinner centered on macaroni at Grandma’s table. After graduating from Central High in Newark, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and became part of Army Intelligence stationed in Korea. When his tour of duty ended, he returned to New Jersey to begin his life with his then-wife Lee and their four children, Karen, Danny, Maria and Charles. He worked multiple jobs to get ahead.

He was hired to represent Power Stainless in Rutherford, New Jersey, selling stainless steel to industrial establishments, and within a short time he became their top salesman. He often remarked that a good salesman had the best job in the world. In 1968, Dan gave a talk at a convention; George Holland, owner of Robert Mitchell Ltd., Montreal, Canada, heard him speak and offered him the position of general manager of Douglas Bros. Dan joined the company in Falmouth, Maine, eventually becoming vice president and then president. The company, under his leadership, went from a six-man operation to No. 2 of the top four companies of its kind in America, landing him on the cover of Business Digest, a Portland magazine. With Dan at the helm, Douglas Bros. became the leader in educating waste-water firms to use stainless steel in their new treatment plants. Dan Caputo was Douglas Bros. and his dynamic personality made the company an exciting place.

His opinions were strong, and no one had to guess where he stood on any issue. He encouraged debate and enjoyed arguing his point with anyone who would engage. In essence, Dan Caputo was a renaissance man who had a curious mind that never rested. For Dan, there was never enough time to read all the books, to do all the traveling, to hear all the music -- to live all the life. During his years in Maine with his wife, Diane, and her son, Kalen, he owned several properties, first trying his hand at farming, then settling by the ocean in Southport. Dan and Diane, along with their children and grandchildren, spent weekends, holidays, vacations and summers in Southport. It also became a gathering place for family from New Jersey and friends from Portland. He loved the summer breezes, reading in the hammock, taking the boat for a ride around the cove, puttering in the garden -- and building sheds.

Daniel Caputo is survived by his beloved wife/companion of 47 years, Diane; sister, Florence Seaglione of Cedar Grove, New Jersey; his four children, Karen Caputo Craft and her husband Bill of Bethesda, Maryland, Daniel Caputo of Westbrook, Maria Caputo and her husband Charles Bloom of Hyannis, Massachusetts, and Charles Caputo of Tampa, Florida; his stepson, Kalen Cookson and his wife Katherine of Lawrenceville, Georgia; his grandchildren, John Moniz, son of Maria Caputo; William III and Max Craft; Grant and Corinne Cookson; his great-grandchildren, Gianna and Brayden Moniz; and last, but far from least, his beautiful Springer Spaniel, Sadie.

Private services will be held at a later date at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dan’s memory to St. Labre Indian Catholic School, P.O. Box 216, Ashland, Montana 59003 or to the Animal Refuge League, Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, ME 04092.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St.