LOGAN, Dr. F. Donald Of Brookline, medieval historian and Professor Emeritus of History at Emmanuel College, died peacefully at home on Feb. 22, 2022 at the age of ninety-one.
Son of the late Joseph and Laura (MacDonald) Logan; brother of the late M. Eleanor Logan and Joseph Logan, Jr.; survived by his nephews Brian Logan and his wife Michele of Mashpee, MA, and Robert Logan and his wife Mary of Naples, FL, and his niece, Patricia Logan of Fall River, MA, as well as four grand nieces, three grand nephews and four great grand nephews. Born on March 9, 1930, Donald Logan grew up in Roxbury; his family later moved to the Neponset section of Dorchester.
A preeminent medieval scholar, Donald graduated from Mission High School, then took degrees from St. John’s Seminary, the University of Toronto and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto. The latter made him an Honorary Fellow. He published seven books and numerous articles on different aspects of medieval history, working until very recently. He credited Richard Cardinal Cushing for putting him on the road to medieval scholarship, which became his life’s work. He was a Fulbright Scholar, a Guggenheim Fellow, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a 2022 Festschrift honoree. For over fifty years he spent summers in London, pursuing his research interests; it became his second home.
Noted for his extraordinary gift for friendship, Donald built and nurtured a remarkably-expansive group of friends across several continents. His kindness, generosity, enthusiasm, and hospitality made him beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He often said that one of the greatest gifts of his life was being able to teach at Emmanuel College, an experience he said enriched him enormously as a person. He was an inspiring teacher, encouraging mentor and unofficial alumnae ambassador for the college for more than five decades.
Donald’s family wishes to express special thanks to Caroline Mututu for her wise and devoted attention to Donald during his final illness, to his friend Christine Murray Canning, PA-C, for her years of trusted advice and for her crucial contribution in making his final days peaceful, and to Dr. Jacob Laubach and all the medical staff at Dana Farber for their dedicated treatment and respect.
Visiting Hours will be at the P.E. Murray, F.J. Higgins, George F Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA on Friday, March 4th from 3 to 7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, March 5th, at the Emmanuel College Chapel, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA, with a reception at the college immediately thereafter. Interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury, MA, at c.1:30 PM.
Those wishing to honor Donald’s life may consider donations to the F. Donald Logan Student Research Fund at Emmanuel College, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, or to a charity of their choice in his honor.
The funeral will be live-streamed. Here is the link to the "webinar". If international participants need a phone link, they should click here.