TEWKSBURY- Donald R. Ordway, age 78. Life long family patriarch and 53 year resident of Tewksbury, retired District Manager at DataTape, Inc. , died peacefully on June 9, 2018 at his home in Tewksbury surrounded by his devoted wife and children. He was the beloved husband of Jo Ann M. (Gagné) Ordway of 58 years.
Don was born in Barre, Vermont and was the son of the late Merlyn and Pauline (Scott) Ordway. He graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre, VT and went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After his marriage, they moved to Boston and then settled in Tewksbury to raise their family.
Along with being a devoted father, Don was a communicant of St. William’s Church, guided the Tewksbury Republican Town Committee for 20 years preceded by many passioned roles supporting the Boy Scouts, town elections, the Elks, and at that time, a perennial Little League manager. He cherished the weekly family gatherings for “Sunday Dinners” and BBQs.
He was employed at DataTape, headquartered in Pasadena California, which required extensive travel throughout the Northeast U.S. and Canada. In retirement, Don continued his travels with his wife by annually driving cross country always with a pilgrimage to Presidential libraries and museums, to the beaches of Dana Point, and the deserts of Palm Springs.
Besides his wife, he leaves four children, Mark P. Ordway and his fiancée Cathi Ingersoll of Melrose, Cynthia M. Nash and her husband Robert of Tyngsborough, Lisa A. Tufts of Manchester, NH, and David E. Ordway and his wife Linda of Londonderry, NH; nine grandchildren, David, Christopher, and Tyler Ordway, Robert and Lauren Nash, Ryan and Kelly Tufts, Courtney and Justin Ordway; two brothers, Douglas Ordway and his wife Van of Tucson, AZ, and Brian Zecchinelli and his wife Karen of Berlin, VT; and many nieces and nephews. Don was pre-deceased by his great-grandson Owen Alexander Tufts.
Don was forever proud of the war sacrifices of his father, Merlyn, and those of his uncles, Howard and Allen Scott who were all heroes who gave immeasurable service to our country during W.W.II.
Don lead by the virtue of his faith and the power of his example. He gave much love and received much love. His sense of humor and strength always prevailed.
Visiting hours Wednesday, June 13th, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of one Dewey and 975 Main Street. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851-2950. His funeral will begin Thursday, June 14th at 10:30a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass Thursday, June 14th at 11:30 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be greatly appreciated. Tewksburyfuneralhome.com