WAYLAND: Donald P. “Don” Houghton, 88, died peacefully and comfortably on Saturday morning, March 26, 2016 following a period of declining health.
He was born in Fitchburg on January 12, 1928 the son of the late Calvin Houghton and Gladys (Phelps) Houghton.
Don was the husband of the late Dorothy M. (Morrison) Houghton who died on September 27, 2013.
He is the father of Dawn R. Rutherford of Framingham; Dale C. McDevitt and her husband Mike McDevitt of Wichita, KS; David G. Houghton of Wayland and Dana C. Houghton and his wife Stacie Houghton of Sparks, NV. Grandfather of Craig Rutherford; Kayla Rutherford; Katie Sicotte; Christy Salter; Heather Dubois and Elizabeth Houghton. Great-grandfather of Andrew Rutherford; Emma Rutherford and Hayden Salter. Brother of the late Robert Houghton and Roger Houghton and father-in-law of the late Charles W. “Chuck” Rutherford.
Don has been a resident of Wayland for over 60 years and spent his formative years in Baldwinsville. He and his wife Dot were one of the founding families of the Church of the Holy Spirit. For over 50 years he was the personal chauffer for the Paine family of Wayland and also served as caretaker of the Paine Estate. Don was associated for over 30 years with Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland. He served his country with honor and pride during World War II as a Seaman First Class with the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Mervines as a machinist. He was a recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He enjoyed building model trains and railroads as well as taking trips on trains. He loved being in Moultonboro, New Hampshire and in the lakes region. Don was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and enjoyed all the family gatherings that they had.
At the request of his family, there will be no funeral home visitations.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:00 at the Houghton family lot in Lakeview Cemetery, Commonwealth Road (Rte 30W), Wayland.
In lieu of flowers his family kindly suggests that memorial gifts in Don’s memory be sent to the Residents Recreational Fund at Oak Knoll Health Care Center, 9 Arbetter Drive, Framingham, MA 01701 and would be greatly appreciated.