Donald E. Mitchell, Sr., 88, of Manchester, NH, died Sunday, November 25, 2018, in Hanover Hill Healthcare Center, Manchester, NH. He was born in Gorham, NH on February 26, 1930, a son of John and Honorah (Murphy) Mitchell. Donald married his beloved wife, Geraldine in the St. Rose Church of Chelsea, MA in 1954. They were residents of Derry, NH for 30 years, after which they divided their time wintering in Florida and camping in NH during the summer.
Donald spent 24 years as a butcher for Columbia Gem in Boston, MA and served as a Trustee in the Meat Cutters Union. He was also the last vice president prior to the merger with United Food and Commercial Workers. Donald also sold real estate for twelve years.
Active in Derry youth sports, coaching Jet Jr. and CYO basketball. Donald was also an avid swimmer, participating in a family triathlon and also the Senior Olympics at the age of 62 and 80.
Donald enjoyed poetry and was the founding member of the Poets Corner Club at the Senior Center in Suncook, NH. He was an avid reader, specifically of history and geography.
He is survived by five sons, Donald Mitchell, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Pelham, NH, John Mitchell and his wife Sharon of Port Charlotte, FL, Thomas Mitchell of Laconia, NH, Joseph Mitchell and his wife Jean of Manchester, James Mitchell and his wife Morgain of Kingfield, ME; daughter, Theresa Mitchell of Dover, NH, thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Donald is predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (Dyer) Mitchell and his half-brother Lawrence “Joe” Mitchell.
Calling hours were held on Friday November 30, 2018 from 4pm to 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday December 1, 2018 at 10:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. In lieu flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Food Pantry.