Donald was born to Walter and Mary Cook on April 6, 1935 in Cambridge, MA. After graduating Belmont High School in 1953, he attended Boston University. He served his country in the Navy from 1953 to 1957 and joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1971, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 1995. Donald had a career in printing and publication after serving in the Navy and ran his own commercial printing business from 1980 until he retired in 1999.
Growing up, Donald had a love for fast cars, skydiving, and adventure. He was a fantastic writer with a great wit and a special talent for poetry.
Donald met his wife, Sandra, in 1958 and they were married in 1960. Donald and Sandra were blessed with four children, Kathy, Kevin, Kerry and Christopher, and enjoyed raising their family in Scituate, MA. They shared many travel adventures around the country and countless sailing cruises aboard “Cookie Jar” and later aboard “Cookie Monster”. In 1960 Donald and Sandra drove cross country and seventeen years later they embarked on the same adventure again, this time with their children. It was a spectacular adventure. Over the years, Donald and Sandra sailed the New England coast from Block Island, RI to Boothbay Harbor, ME. There were always kids and grandkids aboard for the fun, with many visits to the sandy beaches of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Donald was also an avid golfer, enjoying the challenge and the camaraderie. Donald and Sandra played from early Spring through late Autumn and then headed south for the winter to continue playing.They played together all over the eastern half of the USA and eventually in Ireland.
Donald was a caring, compassionate, and loyal husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He leaves a tremendous legacy for future generations to aspire to.
Donald was predeceased by his son, Christopher, and his granddaughter, Nicole. Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra, his children Kathy (Robert) Belongia, Kevin (Martha) Cook, Kerry (John) Collins; grandchildren Michael (Christy), Matthew, Caitlin (Jake), Christopher (Bari), Kate, Scott, Jonathan, Joshua, and Clare; and great grandchildren Mara and Robbie.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023 from 4-6 pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at St. Mary of the Nativity Church at 10 am. Burial will directly follow at St Mary’s Cemetery.
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