Donald E. Dickie, of New London, NH, formerly of East Falmouth and Malden, MA passed away on Friday, September 29, 2023. He was a father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, cousin, colleague, neighbor, and friend. He is predeceased by his late wife Jean E. (Craven) Dickie and siblings Emerson Dickie, Thelma (Dickie) Boyce, Letitia (Dickie) Langan and Patricia (Dickie) Regan. He is survived by his dear friend and former spouse Kathy (McCulloch) Dickie and siblings William Dickie, Stephen Dickie, Doreen (Dickie) Johnson and Peter Rae. Beloved father of Donna Dickie of North Andover, Karin Spychalski and husband Chris of North Andover, Susan Wren and husband Rick of Grantham, NH and Kathleen Rozelle and husband Bob of Mansfield, MA. Devoted and loving grandfather of Kyra Spychalski, Caroline and Elizabeth Wren, Nicole, Thomas, Grace, Pete and Patrick Rozelle, and great-grandfather to Dajon Smith.
Don, also known as Donnie or Grumpy, was born in Malden on May 17, 1937. He met his wife Jean at Malden High School. He was a football player, and she was a cheerleader - it was a classic love story. After high school, Don briefly served in the United States Army and was stationed at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. He and Jean married in 1963 and raised their family of four daughters in Malden, MA. He served on the Malden Fire Department with distinction for 29 years and received a heroism award early on in his career. He retired at the rank of Captain in 1994. He owned and ran the Wheel Dealer Bicycle Shop in Medford, MA and eventually moving to Malden, MA for six years. He also operated a painting business called D & D Painting for 38 years. After Jean retired, they built a house in East Falmouth, MA and enjoyed life on Cape Cod. After Jean passed, he relocated to New London, NH. Always one to keep busy, he occupied his time by building and fixing things, getting involved with antique cars, working out, traveling to Arizona, volunteering over Thanksgiving and Christmas to serve holiday meals in the community and painting at the local historical society. In New London, he met Kathy McCulloch, and they were married for many years and remained good friends until his passing.
Donald was an athlete, an "occasional"activist and rebel, a voracious reader and had a wicked sense of humor. He was a study in contrasts - both serious and playful, enjoying people and his privacy. He enjoyed giving back to the community. He rode countless miles on his bike in support of the Horace Mann School for the Deaf. After Hurricane Katrina, he felt compelled to help and drove to New Orleans to lend a hand to Habitat for Humanity. He cared a lot about people, especially those who were less privileged or in need. He gave generously of his time and money to causes that were important to him. He was a man of principle. Humble, hardworking, determined, stubborn, clever, often charming, and resilient. Fiercely independent and loyal. Always available to help a neighbor or a family member. Always there to pay his respects. Always making us laugh. As many have said, he was "one of a kind." He was deeply loved and respected and will be dearly missed.
Funeral from the A.J. Breslin & Son Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant Street, MALDEN at Medford line (Route 60) on Friday, October 6th at 9:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden at 10:00 AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Visting hours will be held Thursday, October 5th 4-7 PM. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in West Peabody,
MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CHaD at www.CHaDKids.org/donate or by mail to: .
Medical & Healthcare Advancement, Attention: Gift Recording, One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756