Donald W. Lawton

HOLDEN – Donald W. Lawton, 77, of Malden Street, died Monday, April 11, 2011 at UMass Memorial Healthcare-University Campus. The son of William B. and Helen G. (Hall) Lawton, Don was born in Worcester and lived most of his life in Holden.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen J. (Grandone) Lawton; a son, William F. Lawton and his wife Christine of Princeton; a daughter, Sharon E. Hanna of Holden and her former husband, James Hanna, Sr. of West Boylston; four grandchildren, James and Brian Hanna, Thomas and Sarah Lawton; and a step-brother, Frank Lesage of Oregon.

Don attended Williston Academy in North Hampton, graduated from Holden High School, Worcester Junior College and Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston. He worked at Rice Barton Corp., Thermo Electron and retired in 1997 as vice president of Advanced Systems, Inc., Green Bay, Wisconsin. He received numerous awards within the paper industry including the Service Award from the Coating and Graphic Arts Division, and was named Fellow of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

He was an active volunteer in his community where he served on the Holden Elementary School Building Committee, Main Street Task Force Committee and the Transportation Circulation Committee. He was a member of St. George Church, Greendale Retired Men’s Club and was a past president of the Wachusett Old Car Club. He also served in the U.S. Army Security Agency in Korea and Japan.

Don was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed hiking, bowling, golf, the “card group”, and traveling cross country. Don’s family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation for the care and compassion provided by members of the Holden Fire Department, and staff at Neuroscience Intensive Care.

Calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, April 15th at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 16th at St. George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, 1290 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Town of Holden Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 1370 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520; or St. George Church, 40 Brattle Street, Worcester, MA 01606.

To offer a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com