EAST SPRINGFIELD – Donald G. Cecchetelli, 68, of East Springfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 surrounded by family and friends at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a lengthy illness. Don leaves behind his partner of 21 years, Denise Britton; his son, Michael Cecchetelli of Springfield; his stepchildren, Eric Powers of Springfield and Lauren Powers of Somerville; his sister, Diane of East Longmeadow; his brother, David of Agawam and his children; nieces, Gianna and Alexa; and brother, Rudy of Holyoke. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Judy Cecchetelli and her daughter, Nicole, his beloved goddaughter and niece. He was predeceased by his loving parents, Eleanor and Rudolph Cecchetelli.
Don lived in Springfield his entire life and was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School and Springfield Technical Community College. Don served proudly in the United States Air Force as security police, stationed in Caribou, Maine and Thailand.
Don was a natural born leader and take-charge person who after his time in the service, went on to be a manager at several facilities until his retirement.
The Air Force helped shape his values, one of which was service to others, something Don lived by his entire life. Don loved nothing more than taking care of his loved ones and was the first one there when there was any sort of emergency or even someone just needing help. Many is the time Don would pull a U-turn in traffic to help a stranded motorist, by changing a tire or pushing their car out of a snowbank.
Don absolutely loved animals, especially dogs, and had many of them throughout his life. His love for animals didn't extend just to dogs, however; as just one example, his mother called frantically one time to tell him there was a squirrel flailing in the family pool and it was close to drowning. Don raced home from work and was able to save the little critter in time.
Don was a thoughtful and quiet man, but also loved to laugh and tell jokes. After his retirement, Don and Denise were able to travel to many places in the U.S., go to movies, concerts and out to eat, and they loved being together, even if just to putter around at tag sales and flea markets. Don loved to fix things and also created wonderful things for his nieces when they were young, including doll houses and rocking horses.
Don had a huge heart, always and forever thinking of others before himself and will be missed so much by family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend his Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. There are no visiting hours. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Friends of TJO Animals, 66 Industry Avenue, Suite 3, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com