James Daland Lannon

James Daland Lannon, 71, a Freeport resident for two decades, died on January 21st at his home on Pownal Road. James was a skilled photographer, an Equity Actor, an avid sailor, devoted Episcopalian, and a dedicated father.

Mr Lannon was born in New York, New York, the son of Barbara Winlock and J. David Lannon of New York City. He attended collegiate and St Bernard’s schools in New York City before going on to Milton Academy. He received his BA from Lawrence College and a MA at North Dakota State University.

Drafted into the Army at Ft. Eustice, VA he created training films for the Army and directed a theater program.

After his military service he continued his love for the theatre and managed a mobile theater program in North Dakota. Acting and the theater were constant parts of his life. He would become a member of Actors Equity after working at the Actors Theater in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sailing was one of his favorite pastimes and a defining part of his life. He spent almost every summer of his life on North Haven where three generations of his family had summered. He would sail almost every summer day and was especially proud that he had only capsized three times in his life. His love for the ocean was so strong that once while sailing on a Wisconsin lake, his friends threw salted water at him to make him feel more at home.

In 1977 Mr. Lannon married Mary Minor Smith who had spent many summers in Freeport. They lived in Wiscasset where Mr. Lannon became a selectman and worked as a radio DJ. They had two sons, Tucker R. Lannon of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who is married to Crystal E. Chappell, and Bradford H. Lannon of Portland, Oregon.

In 1989 Mr. Lannon and his wife divorced and he moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he worked as an actor. In 1995 he returned to Freeport to live with his sons. He spent his time attending their sports games and taking them on great adventures.

In addition to his children, Mr Lannon is survived by his sister Patricia J. Lannon of North Haven, and her twin daughters Stephanie M. Brown and Mallory F. Brown of Burlington VT. He was predeceased by his brother William W. Lannon of Rockland, and is survived by his nephews David, William and Christopher.

Please join us for a celebration of his life at Trinity Episcopal Church 580 Forest Ave Portland, ME 04101 on January 28, 2017 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Trinity Church Portland or the North Haven Library.

Arrangements under the direction of Lindquist Funeral Home, Yarmouth, ME.