Donald M. Halford

Donald Halford Obituary

Of Everett, June 27, 2008, at 86 years. Beloved husband of the late Alice M. (Robillard) Halford. Loving father of Donald W. and his wife Jean of Medford, Nancy J. Curran of Revere, Paul A. of Everett, and the late Cynthia A. Teich and her surviving husband Jules. He is also survived by 7 Cherished grandchildren. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral from the J.F. Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett, on Tuesday, July 1st, at 9 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, at 10 AM. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 PM. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. Mr. Halford was a retired supervisor for the Cambridge Middlesex County Court and a WW II Army veteran. In his memory donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions and online guest book visit jfwardfuneralhome.com J.F. Ward Funeral Home (617) 387-3367

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Published by Boston Globe on Jun. 29, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Halford

5 Entries

Mike Casey

September 7, 2008

Mr. Halford,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the U.S. Army during WW II and for being a member of the Greatest Generation. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

I miss my Mr. Blue

Melissa Curran

July 5, 2008

For Mr. Blue

Thank-you everyone for coming to pay your respects to my grandfather, Donald Mansfield Halford. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He brought smiles to the faces of everyone he came into contact with, and provided his family with many of good laughs. He had character, quirks and a quit wit. These are the things that made him such a special person.
His beginnings were not kind; he was an only child who lost his father when he was only eleven years old. He grew up with a single mom and supported his country as a medic in the 2nd World War. Some years after that he married the most beautiful girl in Somerville, Alice, after they met while both working at the A&P. Alice was one of thirteen children, and my grandfather, the only child, was warmly welcomed into the big family.
Through the years my Grampy made sure that his family and extended family were well taken care of and later on in his life he also took care of many elderly in his community. He was part of the Disability Commission in Everett, delivered Meals-on-Wheels, and took care of many seniors by taking them food shopping and helping them in their homes. In high school I took a journalism class and interviewed him for one of my class projects. The focus of the project was on his work with the elderly. After the interview was complete and the article written I felt so proud to be his granddaughter and was completely inspired by all of the amazing work he was doing. I credit grampy for inspiring me to do a lot of the community-based work I have done in my working life.
I also credit grampy with my love for music and dance. My fondest memories of my grandfather involve walking into his house and seeing him in his reclining chair, taping his hands, and listening to his radio. He looked so content listening to his favorites; Dean Martin, Tommy Dorsey and Nat King Cole. You may have also seen Grampy cruising around Everett and Revere Beach in his latest blue car, radio cranked, listening to his friend Al Martino’s CD. He also loved to dance. He took my Grammy out every Saturday night dancing to places like Broadway Manor and the Polish Club. I always thought that was so romantic!
Then there were his quirks. The biggest one, which everyone is aware of, is his passion for the color blue. Blue cars, blue shirts, blue carpet, and the blue and white fence that surrounds his house (just to name a few things). His obsession with the color was so great that the nickname Mr. Blue. I recently painted my kitchen a striking color of blue in prep for Thanksgiving, the holiday that we celebrated at my new house this past year. Now I think of it as my little homage to my Mr. Blue.
The quirks to me have always been extremely endearing, but overall my grandfather was simply a great man. He visited my grandmother every day in the nursing home through the years when she was sick. His devotion to her will never be forgotten, and after her death, I think we all had an even greater respect and love for him because of his devotion.
I wasn’t able to tell him all these things, but I hope he hears me now. I love you Grampy, I love you Grammy, and I love you Auntie Cynthia. I hope you are all dancing up a storm right now in that big BLUE sky.
Thank you all for coming and I wish you all health and happiness.

July 1, 2008
Funeral Service for Donald Mansfield Halford
Written by: Melissa Alison Curran (first granddaughter of Donald and Alice Halford)

July 5, 2008

Jim and Arlene Jenkins

June 29, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

John Curran

June 29, 2008

Hi Grampy, Im sure the first thing you'll be doing in Heaven is checking the internet so I thought Id leave you this message...Ha Ha I knew you would like that one Gramp...I just wanted you to know that you meant the world to me..I cherish and keep all of our moments together so close to my heart..From our early morning rides when you would pick me up for school to our constant wise cracks on the rest of society you were always the Martin to my Lewis...Thankyou for everything you did for me and my family..I just hope I can grow to be half the man that you were...Now get going your girls waiting for ya...I love you Grampy

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