Obituaries

Donald S. Dorrington

CUMMINGTON, MA: Donald Sidney Dorrington, age 90, died peacefully in his home in Cummington, MA on Wednesday, June 22, 2016.  Don will be long remembered as the flagGrand Marshall in Memorial Day parades, the thoughtful veteran at school presentations, and proud member and Past Commandant of the Marine Corps League Westfield River Detachment 141.

Enlisting at age 17, Don served with the 5th Marine Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II.   He has been honored as a survivor of the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima.  Don’s story is part of the Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Born in 1926 to Sidney T. and Evelyn F. Dorrington, Don grew up in Westfield, MA and graduated in the Westfield High School Class of 1943.  He had two younger sisters, Jean Moore Teodore and Carol Delnickas Armitage.  His parents, sisters, and second wife Constance Lydiard Bargeron predeceased him.

During his years in Westfield, Don worked for Gladwin and Lane Fuel Company and  H.B. Smith.  He was a fire warden for a season in 1947 in far northern Maine on Seeboomook Lake. He had a lifetime love of wilderness and recently exchanged his canoe for a kayak.

Don was known for his music.  He played guitar at square dances.  Don, Eddie Bezo and Paul Baker formed a band,  “The Midnighters”, who performed during the 1950’s and 60’s.  He gave guitar lessons and enjoyed playing well into his eighties.

He lived in Blandford and later, Worthington where he was a Constable. As a member of the Huntington Federal Masonic Lodge for 43 years, he was the Past Master twice and treasurer for 15 years.  When he retired in 1986, he formed R and D Logging and started a long career in logging managed woodlots, hayfields, and maple syrup operations.  He was still mowing fields into his late eighties, although he found it better to leave the cordwood to his partner.

In 2003, Don moved to Cummington, MA with his current wife Anne Lorda.  He enjoyed traveling in Spain and around the US.  He went south to Hudson, FL during the winters.

Don is survived by his wife Anne Lorda and her adult children; by his first wife, Shirley J. Alger Glaze of Westfield; a daughter Gretchen and her husband Barry Draper of New Hampshire; a son Jonathan Dorrington and wife of New York state; Ronnie and Robin Sampson and family of Worthington, MA; four granddaughters; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; stepchildren; close relatives and dear friends.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, at the Worthington (MA) Congregational Church.  Burial will follow at Central Cemetery, Sam Hill Rd., Worthington.

The Ahearn Funeral Home of Northampton, MA is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Young Marines at Marine Corps League, Westfield River Valley Det. 141, 71 N. Elm Street, Westfield, MA. 01085-1619, or to Hospice of Western and Central Massachusetts, 150 North Street, Suite 22, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Don left a legacy of inspiration, courage and good cheer to all those whose lives he touched.

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