Donald R. Wiitala Sr.

Donald R. Wiitala, Sr. of Lunenburg; 82 Lunenburg Donald R. Wiitala, Sr., 82, of Lunenburg, formerly of Fitchburg, died Sunday morning, Oct. 12, in the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was born in Fitchburg, on April 10, 1926, a son of the late John E. and Vivian (Plummer) Wiitala. Donald grew up in Lunenburg attending schools here until the 9th grade when he moved to Leominster. He was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. While stationed in Boston he attended Wentworth Institute with concentrations in air conditioning, blueprinting and welding before serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged as a Metalsmith 3rd Class in January of 1946 and returned to Fitchburg. Donald was a Firefighter for the City of Fitchburg for 26 years prior to his retirement in 1986. Prior to and while he was on the fire department he worked as a welder for Barkley and Dexter Labs Inc. in Fitchburg and the Fitchburg Sheet Metal Company. He was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Leominster as well as the Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club, Finnish American Club of Saima, Fitchburg Municipal Retired Employees and the Charles W. Moore Lodge of Masons. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Vera E. (Haanpaa) Wiitala of Lunenburg; two sons, Donald Wiitala, Jr. and his wife Sandy of New Ipswich, NH and David Wiitala and his wife Donna of Lunenburg; three daughters, Sandra Testa of Fitchburg, Judith Powell and Katherine Lally both of Lunenburg; twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by a brother, Conrad Wiitala. WIITALA Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Lunenburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Homes, 763 Massachusetts Ave. Funeral Services and burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net.