Donald Packard Farwell, 97, of Buzzards Bay, formerly of Mattapoisett, died suddenly Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Tobey Hospital following a period of declining health. He was the husband of Beverly (Morey) Farwell, with whom he shared 71 years of marriage.
Born in Needham, MA, son of the late Joseph Willard and Isabel (Farrow) Farwell, he lived in Mattapoisett and Sharon for most of his life.
Donald served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Signal Corps during World War II in the South West Pacific Theatre.
He was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, The Campbell School, and Bentley School of Accounting and Finance.
Donald was formerly employed for 20 years with the Boston engineering firm of Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, now FST. He was then elected to the office of Treasurer of the Town of Sharon, as which he served for 18 years, as well as serving as Treasurer of the First Congregational Church of Sharon.
He was a member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, the Stone Street Strummers Banjo Band, Mattapoisett Historical Society Board of Directors, Past President of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association, and Past President of the Norfolk County Municipal Finance Officers Association.
Donald enjoyed spending time with his family and his beloved wife, Beverly, annual visits to the Big E Exposition in Springfield, Celtic Thunder's music, traveling near and far, winter vacations in FL, where he was a faithful volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, and living in Mattapoisett with her harbor, Ned's Point, Buzzards Bay, Cleveland Ledge and the North Falmouth water tower in full view.
He is survived by his wife; three nieces, Sandra J. Bartlett of Barrington, RI, Joanne D. Hess of Clearwater, FL, and Susan J. Dias of Dartmouth; his nephew, David F. Morey of Mattapoisett; seven great-nephews, Charles Milton Beeghly, III, George Willard Bartlett, Nathan Sears Bartlett, Daniel Macomber Johnson, Charles Dexter Marges, Gregory Paul Marges, and Christopher David Morey; and eight great-great-nieces.
He was predeceased by his nephew, James C. Macomber and his great-niece, Elizabeth Anne Morey.
His public visitation will be held Sunday, September 20, 2020 from 2-6 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service and burial in Cushing Cemetery will be held privately due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, but a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For information about viewing Donald's Funeral Service via livestream, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and the information will be sent to you. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald's memory may be made to Mattapoisett Congregational Church, P.O. Box 284, Mattapoisett MA 02739 or The Zeiterion Theatre, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.