Suffield Obituary: Donald McDuffee, 90

Donald Vincent McDuffee of West Suffield, beloved husband of Betty (Simonds) McDuffee, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the age of 90, at St Francis Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on September 6, 1925, Donald was the son of Lester and Gertrude (Dinan) McDuffee. He graduated from Clinton High School, in MA, and proudly joined the US Navy in 1943. After being discharged from the Navy, Donald attended Fitchburg State College where he earned his bachelor's and masters degrees in secondary education. He subsequently earned his masters in administration from the
University of Connecticut, and his masters in counseling from the University of New York at Buffalo.

Donald began his career teaching science in Rochester, NH. After marrying Betty in 1953, they moved to Springfield, MA where he taught science at Forest Park Junior High School. He spent the last 22 years of his
35-year career working as a guidance counselor at Classical High School in Springfield until his retirement in 1988.

A West Suffield resident for almost 50 years, Don was an avid gardener who loved his vegetables and machines, but was most proud of the home he built in which to raise his family, and gather for countless holidays and celebrations. He also enjoyed watching the UConn Women’s basketball games.

In addition to his wife of 63 years, Donald leaves his children, Donna and her husband Peter Sawyer of North
Falmouth, MA, Bonnie Murphy of Windsor Locks, Daryl and his wife Rene McDuffee of Nashua, NH; Duane and his wife Cindy McDuffee of West Stafford, and Dale and her husband Ken Jaworski of Tolland; a brother, Edward McDuffee of Oceanside, CA; and a sister-in law Phyllis King of Hollis, NH. He was a loving Papa to 12
grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Donald's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Saint Francis Hospital for their constant care and support.

A celebration of Donald’s life will be held Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 1:00 PM, at Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. N. (Rt. 159), Suffield. Burial will be in West Suffield Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Donations can be made to the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 642, Suffield, CT 06078 or
Kent Memorial Library, 61 Ffyler Place, Suffield, CT 06095.