Rev. Dr. Donald Angus Simpson

The Reverend Dr. Donald Angus Simpson, 88, of Brattle Street, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester following an illness.

He is survived by two grandchildren, Melissa "Lisa" Simpson of Roslindale, MA and James Simpson of Kettering, OH; daughter-in-law, Catherine Simpson of South Ryegate, VT; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth B. Simpson of Worcester; their son, Curtis B. Simpson of Holden; brother George and sister Janis of CT. He was born on February 26, 1920 in Holyoke, MA, son of George and Elsie (Danner) Simpson. He was raised in Holyoke, where he attended Second Congregational Church, and received degrees from the University of Massachusetts (1941), Hartford Seminary (1947) and Andover-Newton Theological School (1973), where he also taught.

Rev. Simpson was ordained and served as pastor at Enfield Congregational Church in Enfield, CT (1944-47). He then served at East Church (Congregational) in Springfield, MA (1947-62) where he led the church in building its membership and a new house of worship, dedicated in 1956, and was named Pastor Emeritus. He was active in the development of the Council of Churches Protestant Hospital Chaplaincy in Springfield and inner-city work with the Springfield Urban Ministry. He served as scribe and Moderator of the Hampden Association of Congregational Churches.

He came to Worcester as Associate Conference Minister for the Central Area of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, serving over 100 churches and their ministers as advisor and counselor from 1962 to 1985. During these years he served as chairperson of the Pastoral Settlement Committee and wrote the first manual to guide the work of parish Pastoral Search Committees. He served on the Boards of Directors of the Worcester County Ecumenical Council, the Worcester City Missionary Society, Colony Retirement Homes, and the Boards of Pastoral Supply and Ministerial Aid. He also served with the Greater Worcester Council of Churches and was a member of the Saint Wulstan Society, to which he was chaplain. Upon his retirement, The Simpson Fund at Andover-Newton Theological School was established by churches of the Central Association of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, in tribute to the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Donald A. Simpson, to undergird the study of UCC polity, history and theology.

Rev. Simpson was a delegate to many national General Synod meetings of the UCC denomination. He and his wife attended summer sessions at Mansfield College, Oxford University, England and traveled throughout England, Scotland, Switzerland and Israel. He was active for many years with Heifer Project International Northeast at Overlook Farm in Rutland. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Elm-Belcher Lodge in Agawam. He was a member of United Congregational Church in Worcester.

A Memorial Service for Rev. Simpson will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, in the United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Road, Worcester. Burial services at Grove Cemetery, Holden, will be private. Memorial donations may be made to East Church Congregational UCC, 455 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118 or Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden is directing arrangements.

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