Old Town – Donte Luke Rackliff, 22 years old, unexpectedly passed away on November 22nd, 2025. Donte was cherished by friends and loved ones, he can most be remembered for his talent to make anyone in a room laugh, not just from his contagious laughter. Donte was born August 30th, 2003 to his loving parents, mother Danielle and father Jason (Jaysin) Rackliff and grew up in Old Town.

Donte is survived by his parents; sister Destiny Ann Rackliff and her son Ryker Donte Luke Rackliff; grandmother Deborah (Goodwin) Rackliff; grandfather Raynold Rackliff; grandfather Dennis Farnham; his best friend Jaxon Pack and aunts, uncles and cousins. He is predeceased by his grandmother Dorothy Pooler.

Donte attended Old Town High School before he began a career at the Maine Department of Transportation where he happily worked alongside his father Jason (Jaysin). Donte was a jack of all trades with his passion being his vehicles. It felt like there wasn’t a time where he wasn’t either driving his vehicles or fixing them to drive better.

Donte was the epitome of a true, born and raised “Mainer”. He would help anyone at the drop of a hat, his only requirement being a rev or two from his truck or motorcycle along the way.

To say Donte’s impact on not only his family, but his friends, acquaintances, and the entire community would be an understatement. He was the best son, bubby, grandson, unc, cousin, tuzin, nephew, and friend anyone could ask for. His memories will be cherished, and he will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you spend time with your loved ones because you never know what the day will bring. At the service, a fund will be started for Jaxon and Destiny to fix Donte’s Harley-Davidson. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 29th, 2025 at 12pm by Birmingham Funeral Home 438 Main Street, Old Town, ME.

Below are letters from Donte’s family members.

For Donte,

Gonna start off with Donte was the best brother. He didn’t always think he was but he was the best. He taught me how to be tough and not to deal with bull crap. He taught me so much and I am very grateful! He was the funniest person I have ever met. He always had something goofy to say in seconds. He could make your day better in seconds. His smile was so bright, so perfect. He cared so hard, loved so hard even though it was hard to show it, we could tell. He loved Ryker sooo hard. It was amazing being able to see him with a baby, my baby.

We made some good memories, funny ones! He loved making food and making his own recipes, always wanted someone to try it, and most of the times you made bomb food! You loved your melted cheese, or should I say burnt cheese. You always had something different to add to your food to make it better.

I so hope you knew how loved you were. How amazing you were and such a great man!

You always loved messing around in your truck or bike or car. I loved your vehicles, and was always so jealous, You were an amazing driver. You couldn’t stand slow people at all.

I’m gonna miss everything. From you flicking my forehead so hard, pinching me, pulling your shirt over my head to put me in it, making all those noises when you knew I could hear you, and me and you going back and forth with different sounds, randomly screaming words, calling my name in a high pitch voice, chasing me up the stairs when you knew that scared me so bad, asking me to smell how bad your socks or boots were, making food or bringing food to you, to you telling me how annoying I am.

The last things just before you went you let me work on your truck with you and finally we had a great time instead of getting aggravated. You cooked us dinner, amazing dinner, I cooked you breakfast, bringing me and Ryker to his appointment and me and you had to poop so bad! We finally hung out for a while! You randomly just walked into my room around 10:30-11 when usually me and Ryker are sleeping, but that night Ryker woke up hungry. He came in and just sat on my bed, didn’t say much, just showed me some videos and pictures, then he asked for me to go get him fireball out of his truck. I said you really want it and he asked how late I was staying up, and I said I don’t know, and he said well I’m drinking, so I stayed up with him. You drank a whole thing of fireball that night and a couple of my beers. We watched crazy driving videos and other videos on your phone, pictures of you and showing Ryker pictures and videos of you and he was loving them! We had an amazing night. Around 4 in the morning I asked if we could go get a snack wrap and you said if I went and started your truck we could. So we went and had to take a detour, you ended up messing around and noticed a gross sound from your truck. The next day you found out your rear end was broken. Anyways, we got food and came home, ate and went to bed. That was the last time in your truck.

You ended up taking me to get sushi and spent a lot of money and when we were there you couldn’t stop finding or asking questions and saying 67 and doing the hand motion. And I would believe every time that the question was legit. Well we got the bill and Donte was leaving a tip and made the change be 67 cents. You ended up saying you wanted to get sushi again when you had money to blow, so I asked you Wednesday November 19th when we were gonna go and you said once I have $140 to blow again. Well we never got to go so sushi will be brought to your site for you.

I could go on and on forever. You were the best big brother anyone could have, you were an amazing man! You were so successful and worked your butt off for everything you wanted.

Thank you for everything you did. Giving/buying me food, vapes, alcohol, taking me for rides, holding Ryker when I needed to get stuff done, buying Ryker stuff. Everything you did for us I appreciate so much.

I love you with my whole heart and that never changed. I was always worried about you. Stalking your location just making sure you were ok. I miss you so much bubby. I hope I get to see you soon, hug you, will everything in one and tell you how much I love you.

You were a handsome man whether you believed it or not, but I think you knew. I mean your name was Big Sexi! I love love love you so much bubby.

-♥ Sissy ♥

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Donté,

I never thought I would have to write a letter to you in this way, but here it goes…

I’m so sorry you have lost your life to something so silly. I’m glad to know with my whole heart you went out the way you wanted, having a great time raising hell that daddy and I always talked to you about!! I’m so very sorry that I was too busy or seemed to cut our time short! I’m so so so sorry. I can’t ever get that back! You are my boy, my son, through and through.

I will never ever forget you! I promise you that. I promise daddy and I are gonna slow down and not take time for granted anymore. It sucks that you had to teach us that lesson. But… that’s what you do, you teach and make everyone happy, never thinking about yourself. I know you wanted so badly to give us hugs and unfortunately it was when you were drunk! But I will hold onto those times we did, just like recently you running into my arms crying, jumping in my chair with me and I held you for so long. I wish I did that more and could continue to do it now!

You were such a smart, kind, smartass loveable young man who probably had no idea how many lives you have touched and how you have left your mark on this earth along with your black greasy handprints in the house and your dirt in the shower from Wednesday night.

All your marks and items will remain where they are. Your room is open and probably hot, sorry I had to shut the window. Your chair and boots will sit right there alongside all the Lord knows what on your stand. Come sit with us and chill. Continue to give us all the signs you have already done. They are hard at the time, but I cherish them deeply. It gives me a little peace after I lose my shit.

Donté Luke, I could go on and on and be sappy which you hate so for now I will cut it off. Just know we all loved you and will continue to love you until we meet again. Raise hell up there and give grammy doggies a huge hug! Love you nite!

- ♥ #1 Fan and you never knew that till now, your momma forever and always.

P.S. Daddy loves and misses you so much!!

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Donte was my best friend, the best man that I have ever met, and always had a way of making people laugh and smile even when they didn’t want to and didn’t feel like it. He would drop everything to make sure everyone else was happy and got what they needed. I didn’t have enough time with him, but I am so glad and thankful to have the time that I did.

Donte was my best friend and big brother I never had. Until we meet again. I love you buddy.

- Jaxon Pack