Obituary for Donald E. Hersey, Jr.
Donald E. Hersey, Jr., 85, of Newmarket, NH and Sun City Center, FL, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends who cherished him. Born on March 22, 1940, in Portsmouth, NH to Donald E. and Catherine Corcoran Hersey, he grew up in the Atlantic Heights neighborhood he loved so deeply and carried its spirit with him throughout his life.
Donald lived a life defined by devotion and generosity to his family, by hard work, by humor, and by simple, everyday joys. He was the steady center of a large, lively, and exceptionally connected family, and he gave his love freely without hesitation. He was the steady guide, like a ship's rudder, who shaped their stories, traditions, and sense of togetherness.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Miller Hersey; his daughters, Lisa M. Ives and her husband Gregory, and Colleen M. Malloy; his grandsons, Dominick A. Riccio and Finn D. Riccio; brothersinlaw Bruce E. Miller and Kerry J. Miller and his wife Claudia; nieces and nephews Alexa K. Miller, Courtney E. Miller, Andrea R. Leal and her husband Ben, Megan Miller and her partner Brendan Collins, Brennan M. Miller, and Michael G. Miller and his wife Sarah; greatniece Elise Corrente; greatnephews Reid and Rory Leal; cousins including Kathleen Hersey; and many dear friends who proudly called him "Uncle Donald."
Donald's first love was family. Before he married Patty, his wife for more than 50 years, he was a single father during a time with few resources. He worked tirelessly to raise his daughters while building a career. His devotion extended to his grandsons, Dominick and Finn, who saw him as their North Star. He shared his love of fishing and sports, especially golf, with them. Together, he and Patty attended the boys' events, and offered the kind of steady encouragement that shaped their lives.
He was also deeply proud of his Irish heritage—so proud that he secured dual citizenship and an Irish passport. His Irish humor, quick wit, and impish grin were unmistakable. He could deliver a joke with perfect timing, and his laugh was warm, infectious, and impossible to forget.
Donald had a lifelong passion for American Flyer trains that began with a single childhood set. His daughters groaned at the earlymorning flea market trips they took to build his treasured collection, but he always gave the same answer: "No choice!" He also collected character watches and was a devoted fan of the Lone Ranger—his favorite Christmas gift this past year was an actual silver bullet.
Donald's cats—Taxi, Pretty Kitty, Barnaby, and the unforgettable Ulysses—were each a companion in different chapters of his life.
Donald embraced life with intelligence, imagination, silliness, and heart. He supported the people he loved with unwavering enthusiasm, cheering them through school, careers, adventures, and every new chapter.
His sense of fun was boundless. He orchestrated shenanigans at camp, tied a purple Tinky Winky doll to a dump truck's grill, and once placed a fivefoot inflatable alligator by a golf tee on April Fool's Day. He loved trips to the Acton dump with his friend Richard, and he delighted in exchanging hilariously silly Christmas gifts, especially with his friend Chuck.
Though he did not love camping, Patty did, so he bought a camp on Loon Pond. Over 30 years, he transformed it into a place of joy, chaos, and lifelong memories. Monsoons never stopped the swimming, tubing, skiing, or fireworks. Every summer brought more water adventures on various boats (rowboats, sailboats, and the "dump" boat!), and toys like remotecontrol boats, new tubes, and torpedo subs. He created a place where children, and later their children, could grow, explore, and laugh.
In Florida, he taught Patty golf, wanted the pool at a specific temperature, and let visiting family use his prized golf cart. Evenings meant Jeopardy, ice cream, and conversations that linger in hearts and minds.
Donald began working at 15, driving a truck delivering wood for Al Sparrow. He worked at Kennedy's Egg and Butter Store, delivered the Boston Globe, and built a respected 35-year-long career with the Post Office, rising from mail carrier to postmaster. He was loyal—to his work, to his values, and especially to the Boston Red Sox, whose games he watched faithfully from his cupola overlooking the Piscataqua River.
He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, loyalty, and love. His presence filled every gathering, every holiday, every lakeside adventure, every quiet moment of conversation. His absence leaves an achingly profound void, but his stories, his laughter, and his spirit remain woven into the lives of all who knew him. Those who loved him will carry him always. Ave atque vale—hail and farewell.
A celebration of Donald's life will be held in the spring at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's, 1722 14th Street, Suite 150, Boulder, CO 80302, or at www.dpf.org/support.
Donald E. Hersey, Jr., 85, of Newmarket, NH and Sun City Center, FL, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends who cherished him. Born on March 22, 1940, in Portsmouth, NH to Donald E. and Catherine Corcoran Hersey, he grew up in the Atlantic Heights neighborhood he loved so deeply and carried its spirit with him throughout his life.
Donald lived a life defined by devotion and generosity to his family, by hard work, by humor, and by simple, everyday joys. He was the steady center of a large, lively, and exceptionally connected family, and he gave his love freely without hesitation. He was the steady guide, like a ship's rudder, who shaped their stories, traditions, and sense of togetherness.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Miller Hersey; his daughters, Lisa M. Ives and her husband Gregory, and Colleen M. Malloy; his grandsons, Dominick A. Riccio and Finn D. Riccio; brothersinlaw Bruce E. Miller and Kerry J. Miller and his wife Claudia; nieces and nephews Alexa K. Miller, Courtney E. Miller, Andrea R. Leal and her husband Ben, Megan Miller and her partner Brendan Collins, Brennan M. Miller, and Michael G. Miller and his wife Sarah; greatniece Elise Corrente; greatnephews Reid and Rory Leal; cousins including Kathleen Hersey; and many dear friends who proudly called him "Uncle Donald."
Donald's first love was family. Before he married Patty, his wife for more than 50 years, he was a single father during a time with few resources. He worked tirelessly to raise his daughters while building a career. His devotion extended to his grandsons, Dominick and Finn, who saw him as their North Star. He shared his love of fishing and sports, especially golf, with them. Together, he and Patty attended the boys' events, and offered the kind of steady encouragement that shaped their lives.
He was also deeply proud of his Irish heritage—so proud that he secured dual citizenship and an Irish passport. His Irish humor, quick wit, and impish grin were unmistakable. He could deliver a joke with perfect timing, and his laugh was warm, infectious, and impossible to forget.
Donald had a lifelong passion for American Flyer trains that began with a single childhood set. His daughters groaned at the earlymorning flea market trips they took to build his treasured collection, but he always gave the same answer: "No choice!" He also collected character watches and was a devoted fan of the Lone Ranger—his favorite Christmas gift this past year was an actual silver bullet.
Donald's cats—Taxi, Pretty Kitty, Barnaby, and the unforgettable Ulysses—were each a companion in different chapters of his life.
Donald embraced life with intelligence, imagination, silliness, and heart. He supported the people he loved with unwavering enthusiasm, cheering them through school, careers, adventures, and every new chapter.
His sense of fun was boundless. He orchestrated shenanigans at camp, tied a purple Tinky Winky doll to a dump truck's grill, and once placed a fivefoot inflatable alligator by a golf tee on April Fool's Day. He loved trips to the Acton dump with his friend Richard, and he delighted in exchanging hilariously silly Christmas gifts, especially with his friend Chuck.
Though he did not love camping, Patty did, so he bought a camp on Loon Pond. Over 30 years, he transformed it into a place of joy, chaos, and lifelong memories. Monsoons never stopped the swimming, tubing, skiing, or fireworks. Every summer brought more water adventures on various boats (rowboats, sailboats, and the "dump" boat!), and toys like remotecontrol boats, new tubes, and torpedo subs. He created a place where children, and later their children, could grow, explore, and laugh.
In Florida, he taught Patty golf, wanted the pool at a specific temperature, and let visiting family use his prized golf cart. Evenings meant Jeopardy, ice cream, and conversations that linger in hearts and minds.
Donald began working at 15, driving a truck delivering wood for Al Sparrow. He worked at Kennedy's Egg and Butter Store, delivered the Boston Globe, and built a respected 35-year-long career with the Post Office, rising from mail carrier to postmaster. He was loyal—to his work, to his values, and especially to the Boston Red Sox, whose games he watched faithfully from his cupola overlooking the Piscataqua River.
He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, loyalty, and love. His presence filled every gathering, every holiday, every lakeside adventure, every quiet moment of conversation. His absence leaves an achingly profound void, but his stories, his laughter, and his spirit remain woven into the lives of all who knew him. Those who loved him will carry him always. Ave atque vale—hail and farewell.
A celebration of Donald's life will be held in the spring at Stratham Hill Park in Stratham, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's, 1722 14th Street, Suite 150, Boulder, CO 80302, or at www.dpf.org/support.
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