PEPPERELL: Roger J. DiDonato, age 76, a resident of Pepperell for over 40 years, passed away at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer on Tuesday, February 27. 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Somerville on September 10, 1947, he was the son of the late Sylvester J. DiDonato and the late Mary P. (Aurilio) DiDonato.
Roger was raised in Arlington and graduated from Arlington Vocational High School in 1967.
In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served during the Vietnam War era aboard the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Forrestal (CVA-59) and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his active-duty service. Roger was very proud of his service in the Navy and for being a crewmember of the U.S.S. Forrestal.
He was employed as a machinist at various area shops and later at the Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, where he worked for M.I.T.-Lincoln Labs until his retirement in 2014.
Roger loved working on and cruising in his two “Hot Rod” automobiles, caring for his vegetable garden and houseplants, cooking, and camping trips with his children in their younger years. In addition, Roger was frequent member of the Thursday lunch program at Clear Path for Veterans New England located in Devens, MA, where he appreciated the camaraderie and companionship of his fellow veterans.
He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Post 116 and D.A.V. Post Chapter 2 Queen City in Lawrence.
According to his family, he was a caring and generous friend to all he met, a character you will never forget!
Roger is survived by his son, William DiDonato and his wife Lauren, of Nashville, TN: his daughter, Lisa Brown, of Las Vegas, NV: two grandchildren, Mikey Reardon and Marilyn Brown. He was the brother of Robert DiDonato and his wife Patricia, of Tewksbury and the late Linda (DiDonato) Power and her surviving husband Bruce, of Wilmington. Roger was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Wednesday, March 6th from 3-7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, immediately followed by a prayer service to be held at the funeral home. Interment will be held at a later date at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to Clear Path for Veterans New England at www.clearpathne.org or by mailing to Clear Path for Veterans New England, 84 Antietam Street, Devens, MA 01434.