Donald Richard Massé of Lincoln, RI passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023 at the age of 85. Beloved husband of the late Marie G. (Murphy) Massé. Devoted father of Jeffrey C. Massé and his wife Lisa of Cumberland, RI, and Gregory E. Massé of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Loving grandfather of Nicholas and Amanda Massé. Brother of the late Suzanne Nardone. Uncle of Paige Brousseau, Bethany Swanson, Heather Walsh, Susan Nowak, Pam Anderson, Ben Murphy and David Murphy.
Donald was born in Boston on September 6, 1937 to Eleanor (Dolan) Massé and Charles Herbert Massé. He was raised in West Roxbury and Lexington, MA and attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. After college, he served in the Army Reserves.
Donald married Marie Murphy in 1967 and they moved to Tewksbury, MA where they would spend the next 30 years. He and his Irish setter, Sean, won many awards at dog shows in the area. They raised two sons; Jeff and Greg, who both graduated from Tewksbury High School.
He spent his early family summers at Scraggy Neck, Cape Cod often fishing off the jetty. He also enjoyed sailing on the Charles River. He loved to golf and founded a Scraggy Neck golf tournament with his friends that still lives on today over 50 years later. In the winters, he was an avid skier, traveling to ski resorts all over the country.
Donald had a long, successful career as a salesman. He started with National Cash Register in the 1960’s selling computer hardware and continued on that path until he retired from NEC Technologies, Inc. in the late 1990’s. Donald and Marie were able to travel the world together as a result of his success. They talked often of trips to Paris, Hawaii and Banff among others.
Donald and Marie moved to Great Harbors in Falmouth, MA in 1997 so they could retire to their dream home. They both enjoyed boating, tennis, golfing, gardening and going to the beach as well as simply visiting with friends. He lost Marie to cancer in December of 2000.
He spent the next two decades spending many wonderful times with his friends and his children. He made annual trips to Colorado and New Mexico to visit his son Greg. They explored national parks together, which he loved to do, as well as taking in lots of live music. He was known as Pépè to his two grandchildren, Nicholas and Amanda, who have great memories of watching the July 4th fireworks from the beach on Great Pond and riding in the neighborhood Bike Parade. In 2018, he moved to Lincoln, RI to be even closer to his family. Donald will be missed but always remembered by those who knew and loved him.
Visiting hours will be held at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury, on Sunday, August 13th, from 3-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre St., West Roxbury on Monday, August 14th at 10am (please go directly to the church). Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Nurses House(donate.nurseshouse.org).