Daniel Fackrell, left, attends a Portland Sea Dogs game last summer with his wife Heather and their sons Gavin, front, Ashton, back left, and Nathan. Photo courtesy of Heather Fackrell
Nobody enjoys undergoing root canal treatment, but Dr. Daniel Fackrell has dedicated his career to making the procedure a pleasant experience for patients.
It was a matter close to his heart to help people feel better, said his wife Heather Fackrell.
“People came to him in extreme pain,” she said. “But he found it very fulfilling to be able to send them away pain-free.”
Fackrell, 50, was an endodontist and co-owner of Greater Portland Endodontics, a father of three and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in North Yarmouth. He lived in Cumberland.
Fackrell was driving home through Gray on Saturday night after picking up his eldest son from a friend’s summer camp when they collided head-on with another vehicle on State Route 100, also known as Portland Road, according to police.
The driver, Jean Claude Nshimiyimana of South Portland, was charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence.
“Losing him breaks our hearts,” said Heather Fackrell, 46.
The couple has three sons: Nathan, 15, Gavin, 14, and Ashton, 11.
Nathan, who was at his friend’s camp and was in the passenger seat when the accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, was uninjured. Ashton, who was a passenger and was in the back seat, dislocated his hip and suffered several abrasions, his mother said.
Ashton Fackrell was still in hospital on Monday, but is expected to make a full recovery. The accident was traumatic for the boys, said Heather Fackrell.
Daniel Fackrell, center, fishes with his sons Nathan, left, and Ashton on the Royal River in Yarmouth on Friday. Photo courtesy of Heather Fackrell
“They had such a close relationship with their father and they miss him,” she said. “He was everything to them and they were everything to him.”
ORIGINALLY FROM UTAH
Daniel Fackrell was originally from Provo, Utah. While attending Brigham Young University, a friend joked that they should go into dentistry after graduation, and the idea stuck, Heather Fackrell said.
“He said, ‘Yes, I’ll do that,'” she said. “He finished dental school and the part of dentistry he enjoyed the most was root canal therapy. He became known as a root canal dentist and then went back to school to specialize.”
As an endodontist, Daniel Fackrell specializes in root canal treatments and the repair of tissue inside the tooth.
“Dr. Fackrell enjoys spending time with his patients and helping them solve their dental problems,” says a brief biography of Fackrell on the Greater Portland Endodontics website.
“The peace of mind and pain relief he can provide his patients is what he enjoys most. He knows that going to the dentist is not at the top of everyone’s wish list. For this reason, ‘Dr. Dan’ strives to provide patients with a relaxed, stress-free and comfortable environment.”
A person who answered the phone at Greater Portland Endodontics on Monday declined to be interviewed for this article.
Fackrell and his wife, also from Utah, met while he was doing his residency in Salt Lake City and were introduced to each other by their siblings. Heather Fackrell’s sister dated Daniel’s brother. Although their siblings are no longer together, Heather and Daniel’s relationship remained intact.
Heather Fackrell’s first impression of Daniel – whom she called “Danny” – was that he was very handsome, confident and “had a good head on his shoulders.”
“He was quiet, but I could tell he was taking it all in,” said Heather Fackrell. “He just let me talk and talk and talk.”
Later she learned to appreciate his ability to always believe in her.
The couple moved to Maine in 2013 for Daniel Fackrell’s work. He was studying dentistry at the University of Connecticut and took a job in Park City, Utah, but when things didn’t work out there, they decided to accept an offer Daniel received in Maine, Heather Fackrell said.
Eventually he became co-owner of the company now known as Greater Portland Endodontics, and they settled in Cumberland.
“We’ve built a life out here and I think it’s only brought us closer together,” said Heather Fackrell.
FAITH AND FAMILY
She said her husband’s faith was very important to him and he served as president of the elders quorum in their church. He held Sunday Bible studies and organized services and projects, such as bringing people together to help another church member move.
He loved his family and enjoyed hiking, fishing and camping with his sons. He also spent time at the house with Gavin, who is autistic, Heather Fackrell said. “My husband spent time pushing him on his swing and playing video games,” she said.
They also enjoyed “Just Dance,” a video game that asks players to imitate dance moves shown in the video. “We’re having a lot of fun doing it,” she said.
Daniel Fackrell turned 50 on July 2nd and had a few days off around the Fourth of July holiday to spend with his family. They set off fireworks, went to the movies and went boating and fishing on the Royal River in Yarmouth.
“They were having the time of their lives catching fish just by being on the water and in his canoe,” said Heather Fackrell.
Heather Fackrell said Daniel will be missed not only by his family, but also by his many patients and people who knew him professionally.
“Wherever I went, even when I was alone, when people heard my name they would say, ‘Oh, I just saw your husband.’ He was very well known in the community,” she said.
She and the boys received tremendous support from their family, church and community.
“We’re so grateful for that,” she said. “We have a great support system. We’re going to get through this, but it’s going to be really hard for a while.”
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