The Westbrook jazz trombonist, who died last week, taught a generation of music students.

Acclaimed Westbrook jazz trombonist Don Doane was remembered this week as an inspiring teacher and influence on Westbrook music programs, as well as a pioneer for Maine musicians.

Doane died Wednesday, Dec. 16. He was 84.

Doane had a storied career performing with jazz greats such as Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, but also taught a generation of music students at Westbrook High School. These students included another eventual Maine music legend, Tony Boffa.

Boffa said Tuesday that Doane was a tremendous musician, but was also the best teacher he’s ever seen.

“He didn’t teach music as much as he simply taught kids,” he said. “His life lessons helped students with their self-esteem, which prepared them to think and learn. He could have taught any subject, and the students would have thrived.”

According to the city of Westbrook’s website, Doane changed the Westbrook school’s music program, bringing in people like Norm Richardson to launch what would become a successful program of Westbrook marching bands, a program that still thrives.

Phil Rich, a longtime Westbrook music director who left the post last year, said Tuesday that Doane started hundreds of students on a musical instrument, teaching fifth- and sixh-grade band. Rich agreed with Boffa that Doane taught his students more than how to play their instrument.

“He was a teacher first. It was the life lessons he taught us in addition to music, such as the importance of discipline, work ethic, and the value in pursuing continuous improvement of your craft that will always be with us,” he said.

News of his death quickly circulated through various Westbrook community Facebook pages last week, where hundreds of comments recounted memories of seeing Doane perform live with the Don Doane Band, or having him as a teacher.

Comments on social media referred to him as “the Godfather of Westbrook music.”

Doane grew up in South Portland, but eventually moved to New York City to pursue music. He ended up touring the country many times, playing lead trombone in various bands. Upon returning to Maine, he settled with his family in Westbrook. He had been living at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

Visiting hours were held Dec. 18 at the Conroy-Tully Crawford chapel in South Portland, followed by a private burial.

Doane also had athletic abilities. Doane attended Boston University on a four-year athletic scholarship for basketball. Rich said Doane used to come over to his house to give trombone lessons to his brother, and then stay late, playing basketball.

“Don was a tremendous athlete, and was asked to coach constantly,” Boffa said. “He never did because he would not divide his allegiance. He used to say, ‘The band students need to own Don Doane.’”

Don Doane