Donald G. Hitchins – 68, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, died Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in Billerica.
Donald was born in Chelsea, MA on March 2, 1951. He was the son of the late Arthur P. and Philomena (Grieco) Hitchins. Don was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High, Class of 1969. He has been a resident of Andover since 1978. For over 38 years, he worked out of Boston’s Logan Airport for Northwest and Delta Airlines as a District Operations Manager, Plant Maintenance Manager, and Ground Service Equipment Mechanic. Donnie was a tireless and dedicated employee who received countless awards and accolades for his achievements. He retired in 2016.
From rebuilding industrial diesel engines and front end loaders, to tinkering on cars and lawnmowers in the driveway, Don was known as a brilliant mechanic. Both his peers and family would tell you that there was never anything that “Diesel Don” couldn’t fix.
Donald also took great pride in serving as a civilian contractor with the United States Air Force in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his distinguished service, Don received several of the highest honors and medals awarded to civilians serving our U.S. military.
In retirement, his biggest joys came from walking in the woods with his dog Duncan, mowing the lawn, snow-blowing the driveway, tinkering in the basement, frequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, telling his children to visit more often and drive slower, but most especially chasing his granddaughter around the house and feeding her too many Oreos.
Donald loved his family with all of his heart. Family members include his loving wife Sandra J. (Fraser) Hitchins; his son, Todd Hitchins and wife Celia; daughters, Amanda (Hitchins) Lee and her husband Michael, Jesse Hitchins and her partner Andrew Luttrell; brothers, Fred Hitchins and his wife Deborah, Robert Hitchins and his wife Ellen; sisters, Barbara Zeimetz and her husband Anthony, Kathleen Gallant and her husband Timothy; two grandchildren, Annika and Kellan Lee.
His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 10:30 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6 Locke Street in Andover. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to North Reading Veteran’s Gift Account, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, att. Susan Magner. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
So sorry to hear don was a nice guy RIP CONDOLENCES to the family.
So sorry to hear, I remember Donny from the old neighborhood in North Reading when we were kids. My Best to the family
Jim Foote
Sorry for your loss. Always remember the good times with him
Diesel Don. Rip
Our condolences. May he Rest In Peace. Hugs and prayers to his family.
Donnie, you will be missed! My condolences to your family.
One of the sweetest gentleman I had the pleasure of working with at NWA. My sincere condolences to his family
He taught me everything I needed to know to be where I am today Great mentor!
Lots of memories from Academy Road, Donny was a great guy
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Linda Darveau, Stephen, Beth, and Wendy Guerrera
Hello! Still have great memories of those days! Thank you!
My deepest sympathy to the family
deepest sympathy to family great friend Ralph DeRota
Our sincerest condolences to Sandra, their children, grandchildren and family members. Donnie and I worked together for many years. He was a great man and colleague. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, my friend and God’s Blessings!
Wayne and Sarah Manfra
Donnie was a no non sense type of guy. There was no issue that Donnie was unable to figure out when it came to mechanical problems whether facility or ground equipment.
Worked many years with Donnie at NWA in Boston, a gentleman’s gentleman.
Will be missed by anyone who knew him!
My sincere condolences to Sandy and kids who Donnie always talked about.
RIP Donnie!
So very sad..Gone way to young.Great guy and wonderful friend.
I was Donnie’s neighbor growing up. I use to hang out with his sister Kathy, who was my maid of honor . I remember how he was always there for my mother and father assisting with the lawn care. My condolences to the entire Hitchen’s family.
Keeping Don in our prayers…The Bakas family..
Rest in peace, Donnie. You will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to the Hitchens family. Donny was a great friend to my husband Donny and I. We have such wonderful memories of Donny from high school.
RIP my friend
Doreen Berridge
My sincere condolences. I had the great pleasure of working with Don at NWA! He was family. What a wonderful man. So sorry , way too young. Fondly thought of by so many.
It is with great sadness I hear of Donny’s passing. We were the best of friends through High School and I missed him at our recent reunion. Always a smile and sincere warmth from his heart; such a wonderful person. I miss him dearly. My prayers to all his friends and family. Love to you Donny,
Diane E. Weir
I’m so sorry to hear this news. I will always remember Mr. Hutchins as a gentle man and one of my favorite of my friends’ parents. My thoughts are with you, Jesse and Amanda. What a tough time for all of you.
Don was as honest as the day is long, and a true champion of the underdog. Very sorry to hear of his passing.