Arthur Henry Donaldson

BOYLSTON/ACTON - Arthur Henry Donaldson, 85, of 34 Cutler Road, Boylston, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, after a brief illness. A former long-time resident of Acton, he had in recent years been residing in Boylston.

He was born on February 2, 1920 in Long Buckby, England, the son of the late Arthur Donaldson and Kate Adelaide (Booker) Donaldson. As a teenager in England, “Don” worked as a “butchers boy,” using a bicycle to take orders from customers then deliver them later in the day, 7 days a week in all kinds of weather. In 1937, when he was 17 years old, Arthur joined the Royal Navy in which he served throughout World War II, being discharged in 1946. While he was in the Royal Navy, Arthur saw much action. In 1940, his ship the HMS Grenville, struck a magnetic mine in the North Sea and sunk rapidly. Arthur was unaccounted for and was listed as missing, presumed killed. He was, however, picked up from the icy waters and gave his family quite a shock when he showed up on their doorstep unannounced. Later, on September 20, 1942, his ship the HMS Somali was torpedoed while participating as an escort ship in the Polar Convoys. Arthur was blown off of the ship and into the freezing Arctic waters, where he survived for nearly 20 minutes before being rescued, nearly frozen solid.

After the war, he went to live in Scotland, where he married his first wife, Alison Margaret (MacGregor) Donaldson on May 1, 1948. Arthur and Alison immigrated to the United States in 1948, where they first lived in Brookline, then later Maynard, and in 1960 they settled in Acton. Alison predeceased Arthur, passing away of cancer on January 12, 1982.

Arthur married his second wife, Patricia (Dolan) Donaldson on June 27,1993. Arthur and Pat continued to live in Acton, and in 1998 moved to Boylston. Arthur continued, up until just two years ago, to indulge in his life-long passion for motorcycle riding. He started riding motorcycles in England as a teenager, and he never lost his love of riding, thinking nothing of riding several hundred miles, rain or shine. Arthur also loved animals, and had several beloved pets over the years. He was a kind and gentle soul, always willing to lend a hand.

Arthur is survived by his wife Patricia, who took excellent and loving care of him in his final years. He is also survived by his children, Jeffrey M. Donaldson and his wife Pam of Acton, Sally N. Taylor, and her husband David of Boxborough, and his granddaughter, Audrey Lyn Daigle also of Boxborough. He is also survived by his nieces, Delia Gaskill, Ethne Miles, and Shirley Copp, all of England. In addition, Arthur leaves his step-children Barbara Nadon and her husband Jack, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Amey McCarthy and her husband Michael of Rutland; Stephen Dolan of Boylston; step-granddaughter, Mariah McCarthy; sisters and brothers in law, and many step-grandchildren, step-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his step-daughter, Cathy (Dolan) Belliveau, who passed away in 1998, and was also predeceased by his siblings Sidney R. Donaldson and Catherine M. (Donaldson) Gillard of England, and Stanley G. Donaldson of England and Malaysia. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

The funeral service for Mr. Donaldson will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. www.milesfuneralhome.com