Donald F. Henchey- resident of North Reading, MA passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025 at the age of 87 years old.  Donald graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1955 and graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1976.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Doris M. Henchey, with 54 years of marriage, and also their children, Jean Hartzog and her husband Jason of Woodbridge, VA, Theresa O’Riorden and her husband Stephen of Stow, MA, and Brian Henchey and his wife Jill of New Hampshire.

He was the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Rosemarie, Tristan, Sawyer, Jessica, James, Glenn, Brent, and Kelsey.  He was also survived by several nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his mother, Catherine F. Henchey (Callum), and his sister Patricia (Henchey) Dole and her husband George Paul Dole.

Donald grew up in Dorchester, MA.  In his last year of high school he took the test to get into the General Electric Apprentice Program and aced the math section.  He was one of three boys from his high school class chosen to enter the program, where he worked as a draftsman while attending college at night, at Tufts, to get his associates degree He later received his Bachelors Degree at Northeastern University.  This was the start of a 38 year career at General Electric Aircraft Engines in Lynn, where he worked, first with punch cards, till computers were invented and then, ultimately, as a Systems Analyst de-bugging computer code.

Donald joined the North Reading Knights of Columbus in 1964.  He was the Financial Secretary from 1975 to 2023.  In 1971, Donald and Doris were married while Donald was Grand Knight.  From 1981 to 1984 Donald was the District Deputy.  From 1985 to 2015 (30 years) Donald was the Boy Scouts of America Charter Organization Representative.

Donald was a firm believer of giving back to the community and was very proud of his charity work.  He was recognized in 2023 for nearly 50 years of service as the Financial Secretary to the Knights of Columbus and 55 years of service to St. Theresa’s Church as a Lector and a member of the Financial Board.

Although Donald’s college degree was in Industrial engineering, he minored in history and considered himself a “history buff”.  He loved reading books about World War II and especially loved Winston Churchill.  He read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich 14-15 times.

Donald loved camping as a family with the Starcraft Camper Club and then later, traveling to Europe with Doris.  Their first trip in 1997 was to visit Jean, who was working in Belgium, and they traveled to Belgium, Germany, England, Ireland, and France.  They were at Buckingham Palace when the flowers were scattered in front of the Palace following Princess Diana’s death.  They also toured the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  Donald was a devout catholic and loved visiting churches.

Donald was the epitome of the American Dream.  Because of his education, he was able to leave his meager beginnings and raise a family in the suburbs. One of the things he was most proud of is that all three of his children graduated from college.  He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 5 to 8 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street , North Reading. Everyone should go directly to church. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.

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