Obituary of Donald J. Ethier

Donald J. Ethier, Jr. died May 10 at his home in Bryantville under the care of Hospice after battling cancer for the past 3 years. Born in Winchester, MA on Apr. 19, 1947, he was the son of Donald J. and Edith (Osborne) Ethier Sr. Mr. Ethier served in the US Navy from 1966-1970 doing a tour of duty in Vietnam, and being awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.. He was very active in the Lions Club in Halifax, currently serving as King Lion for the past 4 years. He served past positions as Treasurer, Secretary, Cabinet Advisory Committee, Larzaious Chairman, Activities Committee for the visually impaired and multi handicapped, past Cabinet Secretary and Activities Chairman. In 1982 he served on the Planning Committee for the Town of Halifax’s 250th year celebration, and he was “Uncle Hal” . In 1985, he started as the co –chairman for the Halifax in Lights fireworks committee, and has served for the past 20 years. He was employed as a driver for the past 10 years for the South Shore Community Action Council in Plymouth. He enjoyed playing poker, fishing, and he was an avid guitar player known as Country Don. He was the husband of the late Nancy (Sturtevant) Ethier, the brother of Beth Ethier of Halifax, Richard Ethier of Belfast, ME, and the late Douglas Ethier. He is also survived by 2 nephews; Jason Ethier of Brockton, Jeffrey Ethier of Fall River, a great niece Kiera Ethier, his companion Janice M. Peterson of Pembroke, and his friend and “sister” Lynne Manning of Halifax. A Memorial Service will be held on Thurs. May15 at the Halifax Congregational Church, Rt. 106, Halifax at 1:00PM. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Cranberry Area Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360 or the Lions Club, P.O. Box 427, Halifax, MA 02338.