Donald Braman Wing of Marion, MA, passed away on November 14, 2015 from cancer after a short hospital stay. He was 72.
Born on September 24, 1943 in Greenfield MA, to Henry C. Wing, Jr. and his wife Janice (Knapp) Wing, he attended Greenfield schools and graduated from Deerfield Academy, class of 1962. He majored in mechanical engineering at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He married Anne Colton of West Springfield MA, in 1967 and began his career at Tabor Academy in that year, teaching geology and geometry and coaching sailing and crew.
When the trustees of the school determined to build a new academic center in 1970, Don with his engineering background oversaw construction of the building. He became director of the physical plant, a position he created and expanded during his 48-year career at Tabor, retiring in July 2015. He was noted for his vast knowledge and organizational skills. Today’s Tabor campus reflects Don’s vision, skill and determination to do a job right and see it to completion.
In addition to his more than full-time job, he had a wide range of other interests such as horology, antique woodworking tools, scientific instruments and early technology. He contributed to the knowledge of the history and makers of these objects, researching and writing a book with Anne on the early planemakers of London and contributing articles to many scholarly journals. He was described by a friend at Colonial Williamsburg as a true Renaissance man. In his “spare” time he restored and rebuilt Jaguar cars.
He also continued the operation of the family business, Chauncey Wing’s Sons, Inc., which was begun by his great-grandfather in the 1880’s, manufacturing a device to apply address labels to newspapers and magazines.
Don was a man to whom people would come when they needed an answer or advice on any subject, whether related to buildings and grounds, early American and English tools, architecture, history, or cars. He was always willing to share his knowledge and learn from others.
In addition to his wife Anne, he leaves their son Braman of Ithaca, NY and his wife Maureen and their three children, Larsson, Nora and Linus. Details of a service will be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Marion EMS Donation Account or the Marion Fire Department Donation Account, P.O. Box 1021, Marion, MA 02738. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.