To Mrs. Ouellette and his children:

I served with Don in 1992 onboard the IRIS.  Please know that Don left a lasting, indelible mark on those he sailed with.  He handled the stress and danger of our aids to navigation operations with a calm demeanor.  When our Captain had a heart attack, I remember sitting with him, not knowing what to say or do, and he was a rock.

We lost each other over the years, but we found and messaged each other on linkedin.  I wanted to do it in person, but did express my thanks for all that he gave to the officers and crew of the IRIS.  I know there was a cost to his geographic bachelor assignment, so thank you for sharing him with us.  My deepest condolences and mahalo XO.  Mark M. Murakami

So sorry to hear about Don. He and I were childhood friends and had lost touch for over 50 years. I have many fond memories of him Steve and me in Waltham. RIP my friend.

I only met Don a handful of times as we both married into the family. The times we did I was struck not only by his kindness but his varied interests. I commented to my wife “this guys a renaissance man”. Last thanksgiving we had a great discussion on biology, the holiday before it was navel ships and art. I had to be pulled away by my family both times.  The last thing I said to him was that we were both striving to believe as many true things as possible as disbelieve as many false ones. He readily agreed. I’m sorry we won’t be able to continue our discussions but I am a better person for having known him. 

Tina , 
I thought I wrote you a note but do not see it so here I go again. I am overwhelmed to learn of your husbands passing .  May you and your family receive Gods peace and comfort that only He can provide. 
You are in our thoughts and prayers.


Thoughts and prayers just isn’t enough to express our deepest condolences for this tremendous loss. 

I will always remember how he told the best stories. The last conversation we all shared he made everyone around him laugh even his beautiful bride Tina, you could tell all those years of laughter is what fueled their love. He is the best definition of what a great family man should be. As a father to his 2 wonderful children, from joining the Nutcracker almost every year just so he could spend more time with his incredible daughter Adrianna, walking her down the aisle on her wedding day, to holding his beautiful grandchildren for the first time. He was the best grandpa to his 2 wonderful grandchildren. The stories Coco has shared with us are full of adventure, full of love and precious memories to cherish forever. That is what life’s all about, he knew that the most valuable and important thing in life was showing up and being there for his family. He was always there for them all. He will live on in all our hearts more so in his grandchildren as Thee very best and super fun grandpa. I will always remember what a great storyteller he was and how much of an incredible educator he was to many. May his legacy as an incredible Physiology professor live on forever in his students and the bravery he showed in the coast guard for protecting this country, Mr. Don Ouellette. You will be incredibly missed by many. Our hearts are heavy, we send our utmost love and prayers to the whole Ouellette family. 

Don…. Fair winds and following seas.  You were always an example of a great husband, father and friend.  You proudly serviced our country and also helped develop the future of many adults and children, alike.  I am honored to know you and be a small part of your life and I promise to always be there for your daughter and granddaughter.  I have the watch.

I’ll see you on the bridge.  

~ John Rivera 

fair winds and following seas, sir! It was an honor serving under you.

Donald's dad and I enjoyed raising Don and was very proud of his many accomplishment's along with his family and his friends. I will miss him and his calls on Saturday mornings-
From his Mom 

Very sorry to hear about his passing. He seemed like a wonderful man and he was very neighborly! Our prayers are with the family.

I served with LTJG Ouellette on USCGC Sassafras in Hawaii in 1983-84/85.  It's a sad day to see someone so young leave us.  He was a good guy and officer.  My condolences to the family.  73 & RIP Shipmate.

Tom Morgan
CWO4(COMM), USCG, Ret.

Suffolk University friends (1972 - 1976).
Behind Donny from left to right are Dan, Dave, Charlie and Tom.

My condolences to the Ouellette Family. While I did not know Donald, I met both his parents, Barbara and Adrian, at the Coliseum. Adrian was a sweet man, and I'm sure Donald followed in his father's footsteps.
Again, my sincerest condolences to his mother, Barbara, and his immediate family.
Anne Marlowe (sister of Denise Doucette, resident of the Coliseum). 

I served aboard the CGC IRIS with Don and he was a great XO and mentor. Last time I saw him was when we had lunch in Yorktown about five years ago and him being proud of my accomplishments meant a lot to me.

Prayers to his family, he will be missed



Tina and Don were like family away from family! We shared many things together and loved to be with them. From beach weekends in Kittyhawk, to home brewing some fine beer, watching the Pats get beat by the Giants in two super bowl weekends, sharing bread at each others home, and solving the world's problems during our cookie/coffee breaks after Mass at St. Bede. We will miss Don's presence. "O Loving Father, Source of all life, please accompany Your servant, Don from this earth, to the Kingdom of heavenly peace, rest and eternal life that you have prepared for us. Forgive any sins that have been committed, and welcome this departed soul into the joyful embrace of Your never-ending love. Amen"

Donny- 
I will always remember trying to decipher your terrible handwriting. It was fun having you translate it for me. 
It was great reconnecting with you and Tina when you got back to the Boston area. 
You made the connection to Williamsburg come alive and exciting. So enjoyed you in the Nutcracker. 
I am going to miss our conversations over the dinner table. You always managed to put a good spin on things. 
 I will miss your texts during the Patriots games. 
Love you- Bea Snow

I came to know Don (Donny, as I'll always think of him) through his Professor, my dear friend, Dr. Beatrice Snow.  Through stories of the days at the Suffolk University Friedman Field Station at Cobscook Bay, Maine, I learned of his fun spirit and determination to get into the Coast Guard.  Later, as we visited Williamsburg, starting more than 25 years ago now, I came to enjoy the visits at his and Tina's home as much as Colonial Williamsburg.  The warmth and love he displayed every time we arrived warmed our hearts and strengthened the friendship.  Sitting at his kitchen table enjoying a beer and hearing of old times at Suffolk University in Boston or talking of his teaching position currently, the conversation was always filled with laughter.  I'm sure God greeted him with "Well done good and faithful servant."   Cindy Breton

Our condolences. Don was a friend and colleague in the Coast Guard. 

Don and I became co-grandfathers when I married his SiL's mother, Annette.  I will never forget the first time we met and he offered me a homebrewed beer.  From that moment I knew we were connected.  I was honored to step in as his replacement as the "Grandfather" for the Virginia Regional Ballet's Nutcracker.  I tried to honor his past performances and always felt the love the crew had for him.  

I will miss you, Don

My memories of Don will be of family get togethers, he’s our sons father in law,  Holidays  and The Nutcracker Ballet. Don and I played the Grandparents in the Nutcracker for several years and It was always so much fun.  He loved to scare me by saying just before we went onstage” I think I’m gonna do something different this time, follow my lead. “ Such an amazing father and grandfather! Don was always quick with a laugh and a great story. Don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat cake again  with hearing him say “ I don’t need any cake I’m sweet enough already!”   We were blessed to know him
                                       Annette and Kenny Kniskern

Don and my dad were great friends. Growing up I always called him Uncle Donny when he visited our home.  Don was present at many of our family events over the years, and he always had a wide smile and a kind word when he saw me.  My best memory of Uncle Donny was when he and his son Nick flew down to attend my graduation from Coast Guard Boot Camp at Cape May. I was very grateful to see him there that day and will miss him very much.
Alex Watton



Don was my best friend.  We met in 1972 while at Suffolk University, and over the past 50-years he became like a brother to me.  We taught science in Gloucester, and then both joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1980. We celebrated our marriages, and the birth of our children and grandchildren.  Sometimes Donny would appear at my front door with a big smile and a case of beer. We would play backgammon all night long (He won most of the time and never forgot to remind me about the $12.75 I owe him).  Water skiing, Camping at Sunset Lake, late nights at the Blackburn Tavern, and playing music are some of my best memories of him.  He played the harmonica while I played my accordion (his favorite song was Piano Man).  Michele and I are heartbroken.  We will greatly miss him and his frequent facetime calls.  God Bless Donny!  Love...Dan & Michele

I had the pleasure of knowing Donny as a friend while we attended Suffolk University.   And visiting him and Danny in the DC area 
Donny was always happy and fun and just great to be around
God bless
Tom and Donna Marchant 


We will always remember your great smile and laugh! You will be greatly missed by all of us. 

OBITUARY

Donald Edward Ouellette

10 September, 1954 – 15 January, 2023

Nelsen Williamsburg

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