Donlon, Edward C. a longtime resident of Wellesley, MA, passed away on February 20, 2019 at the age of 88 years.
Faced with so many health issues after fighting colon cancer during the 1990s, Ed eventually became totally disabled during his final years. Yet, he never lost his ability to find amusement and participate in life, whether it was keeping up with local and national politics, following the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots, or spending time with his family and friends.
Ed practiced law in the town of Wellesley for over 40 years and was immersed in town politics for many of those years. He was a town meeting member for over 20 years and served on the Board of Public Works, was a member of the Wellesley Democratic Town Committee and the Wellesley Club. He also ran for Congress, albeit unsuccessfully, in 1968 as part of the anti-Vietnam War movement.
An avid tennis player, Ed was a long-time member and former President of the Wellesley Tennis Association. He loved downhill skiing with his children when they were growing up. He also enjoyed playing jazz “cocktail” piano and riding his bicycle, which he eventually traded in for an electric moped and finally a motorized wheelchair as his health declined. Summers were spent in Wellfleet with his brothers and their families, who often engaged in fierce lawn dart competitions on the beach. Ed always approached life and adversity with much humor and irreverence, which likely helped him live so long despite his many health challenges.
Ed grew up the youngest of four boys in Amsterdam, NY, the son of Hugh and Frances (Nadler) Donlon. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, receiving his discharge as an Army Corporal in 1953. He was able to go to college on the GI bill, obtaining a BA from Tufts University. He later earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Survived by his loving wife Maureen; his daughter Andrea and her partner D. Christopher Lenaerts, of Buckland, MA; son Barnaby and wife Martina, of Brooklyn, NY; and three grandchildren, Camilla and Lionel Donlon and Ursula Lenaerts; former wife Carole and her husband Jim McAuliffe, of Wellfleet, MA; brother Captain John M. Donlon, of Noank, CT; sister-in-law Jeanne Donlon, of Pennington, NJ.; and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by brother Thomas of Pennington, NJ; brother Charles and his wife Ann, formerly of Buffalo, NY; and sister-in-law Anita, of Noank, CT.
Special thanks to all who helped the family with Eddie’s care over the years, including Mary, Linda and Bart of Partners Health; the care givers and nurses at Care Dimensions, and Karen.
His surviving family and friends loved him so much and will miss him, always.
A private funeral is planned. However, a memorial gathering to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at a later date.
Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to a charity of you choice or to Wellesley Neighbors, 888 Worcester Street, Suite 260, Wellesley, MA 02482.