Donald Vaughn Gearan

Donald Vaughn Gearan, 83, of Gardner, Massachusetts, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning, May 31, 2014 at Baldwinville Skilled Nursing Center while recuperating from recent surgery and a long term illness.   He was born to Veronica Keaveny Gearan and Leonard Jeremiah Gearan, a (Gardner fire chief) both deceased and of Gardner.  He graduated from Gardner High School in 1948 where he was a member of the track and cross country teams.  He graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1952 with a bachelors in technology education.  He entered the Army shortly after and went to Army Engineer OCS to become a 2nd LT at Fort Belvour.  He married his beloved wife Doris Gay in 1953 and then served in Korea as Commander of an Engineer Company building an airfield in Kunsan.  He moved to Natick, Massachusetts when he returned home and taught industrial arts in Natick and Weston High Schools.  He became the assistant principal at Weston High School in 1965 and while there he received the Massachusetts Outstanding Secondary School Administrator Award in 1987.  Along the way he earned a masters degree at Fitchburg State College and a CAGS degree from Northeastern University.  He also remained in the Army Reserve and commanded all the Army Reserve Engineer units in New England for four years and retired as a full Colonel.  He was named to the Army Engineer OCS Hall of Fame in 1992.  He retired as a Colonel in 1991 and moved back to Gardner where he served on the Fitchburg State College Alumni Board of Directors, president of the industrial education society, president of the Gardner Museum where he led a major renovation and an active member of Gardner’s Chair City Club.  He also enjoyed skiing and boating at his family’s cottage in Sunapee, New Hampshire as well as touring the world with his wife.   He leaves his beloved wife, Doris (Gay) of 60 years, his three children, Michele Saulis and her husband Stephen Saulis of West Hartford, CT, Michael Gearan and his wife Elizabeth (Nelb) of Methuen, MA, and Daniel Gearan and his wife Virginia (Gilmore) of Gorham, ME.  His four grandchildren, William Gearan of Stoughton, MA, and Kelly Gearan of Methuen, MA, Katelyn Gearan and Donald Robert Gearan of Gorham ME.  His brother William Keaveny Gearan and wife Marilyn of Tampa, FL and his deceased brother Leonard Gearan of Pheonix, AZ.  Many cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family throughout New England and Ireland have remained close throughout his active life.   The family would also like to thank all the very special caregivers who have helped make the last few years comfortable and happy.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Museum, 28 Pearl St., Gardner, MA 01440, or a charity of your choice.   The funeral will be held Wednesday, June 4, from the John H. Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner, MA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 A. M. at Sacred Heart Church, 166 Cross St., Gardner. Burial with Military Honors, will follow in the Massachusetts Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. Calling hours are Tuesday, June 3, from 1:00 to 3:00 & 6:00 to 8:00 P. M. in the funeral Home. $(document).ready(function(){ });