Donald Robert Mapel, 93, of Natick passed away on Thursday, July 26th after a short illness in St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham.
Born on August 31, 1924 in Tarentum, Pennsylvania to the late Robert and Marguerite (Lewis) Mapel. Don graduated from high school and served in the United States Navy during WWII as an aircraft mechanic. He graduated from William & Mary College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Philosophy and then went on to earn a Master’s Degree at Harvard University in English.
Don’s working life began in the steel mills in Pittsburgh and then at Colonial Williamsburg as a blacksmith. He worked at Shady Hill School in Cambridge teaching woodshop and jewelry-making for almost 30 years. Don was also the Director of Meadowbrook Day Camp in Weston for many years. He was a talented craftsman enjoying sculpting and woodworking. He was a regular newspaper reader, avid sports fan, social critic, and he thoroughly enjoyed his discussion group in Lexington.
Don is predeceased by his former wife, Sally (Yeomans) Mapel and his sisters Marjorie Heilman and Marcia Miller.
Don is survived by his sons: Andrew Mapel and his wife Lisa of Natick and Timothy Mapel of New Zealand and his much loved grandchildren: Sarah and Ethan Mapel, and Raina, Aida, and Imogen Mackenzie Mapel.
The family would like to thank the staff at St Patrick’s Manor for their compassionate and dedicated care.
Private services with military honors will be held for Don at the Massachusetts National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne.