Donald Leo Ogier

Portland -Donald Leo Ogier, 91, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on August 13, 2025, after a short illness. Don was born in St. Louis, MO and was one of 6 children born to his parents Helen and George Ogier. Don graduated from De Andreis High School in 1951. Don then attended Kenrick catholic seminary briefly and later enrolled at Washington University in St Louis to study art. Don was on active duty with the Army for two years (1956 &’57) serving in the Signal Corp including service overseas in Europe. His last duty assignment was in the Mort Btry 1st Bat Gp 13th Inf. (He was on reserves into 1962).

After military service, Don went on to develop what would become his lifelong passion of painting. Don lived in New York City (NYC) as a young artist developing his skills and exhibiting his work in small venues. NYC in the early ‘60’s was an exciting place to be an artist – Don enjoyed the energy of the city and spending time with other emerging artists. Don soon met Jenny Lou Park in NYC and the two married in Mexico on Aug 8, 1961 and lived in a loft near Greenwich Village – a space that provided room for both artists to paint and draw. The couple would go on to have two children, Andrew and Sarah. Don, Jenny and little Andrew lived in Germany for a while when Don received a Fulbright Artists Scholarship. The family then lived in Schenectady, NY and then Massachusetts for many years. Don and Jenny divorced in 1977.

Don taught college art classes in Schenectady, NY. and then at Lesley College in the Boston Area. Don’s additional talents included writing and for many years he worked as an editor at central Massachusetts weekly papers including the Pepperell Times Free Press and the Public Spirit based in Ayer, MA. Don eventually migrated to the Portland Maine Area in the early 1980’s. Ultimately Don established a home and art studio in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood in 1984. This retrofitted commercial space would serve as his home and art studio for more than two decades.

In 1993, Don married Elena Schmidt at an intimate ceremony on the Swinging Bridge across the Androscoggin River.

Over the decades Don developed a deep connection to the Munjoy Hill neighborhood and participated in community groups such as supporting improvements at the Portland Observatory. Don also found community with his political activism including through Let Cuba Live and Veterans for Peace. Except for a short stint living in Seattle in 2007, Don would make Portland his forever home. From his engagement with art and community, Don developed many friends in the Portland area. Don also found purpose with the paintbrush by working as a sign and awning painter, producing signage for numerous Portland area businesses over the years.

Throughout these various careers, Don remained committed to his pursuit of painting. Over his career Don held art multiple exhibits in the Portland area as well as several in other locations including Manhattan, Venezuela, Germany and Massachusetts. Don’s artwork evolved through many phases including realism, portraiture, abstraction, and in the final decades Don committed himself to landscape painting inspired in part by the artists of the 19th century including the Hudson River School art movement. The Eastern Promenade in Portland was a favorite landscape subject for Don as well as views to Mount Washington across Portland’s Back Cove.

In his free time, Don enjoyed hiking, biking, birding, playing cards and listening to opera and jazz. For many years, a perfect day started for Don with a walk through the neighborhood to the corner store to collect the paper, greeting neighbors along the way. And a complete day would include a walk or drive around the prom to take in the ever changing views of water, sky and activity on the green and the bay. To the end, Don always enjoyed working on the NYT crossword or partnering with family on a jigsaw puzzle.

Don Ogier is survived by his wife Elena Schmidt, his son Drew Ogier, daughter Sarah Ogier and their families.

No service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Preble Street organization.