Of Framingham, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning May 17th, 2017 at the Metro – West Medical Center in Framingham at the age of 72.
Born on May 13, 1945 in Newton; beloved son of the late Paul T. Cawley and Agnes (O’Donnell) Cawley, and brother of the late Mary Jane Dello Russo, Paula Lemont and David Cawley.
Uncle Donald was raised in Newton but lived most of his life in Waltham before moving to Framingham.
After graduation from High School, Don proudly served as a Sergeant with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968.
Don was appointed to the Waltham Fire Department as a Firefighter on July 24, 1977. He was stationed for many years with his group at the Moody Street fire station. After 25 years of faithful dedicated service to the City of Waltham, Don retired on October 31, 2002.
While enjoying retirement Don had a passion for playing golf and following all of the New England & Boston sports teams. He enjoyed the outdoors and for many years went skiing. He liked to travel and took annual trips to Saratoga, New York for the horse races.
A simple man who enjoyed life to the fullest; he was a frequent guest at many of Waltham’s local establishments including Common Café, Bullets, Costello’s and several others.
Don is survived by his loving companion of 30 years Jeanne Umbrello, his loving nieces and nephews, Joseph Dello Russo, Steven Dello Russo, John “Jay” Lemont, Maura Dollaway, Karen Collari all of their spouses and children as well as his numerous friends & colleagues in the fire department.
Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services in celebration of Donald’s Life from the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody St, Waltham on Friday morning May 19th at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham at 11:30 a.m. Interment with United States Air Force & Waltham Fire Department Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Friday morning prior to the Funeral Mass from 9 – 11 a.m. Parking attendants on duty.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Don’s Memory to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA
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