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Donald SAWYER Obituary
Donald was born on September 11, 1944, in Brookline, MA. He attended Brookline High School, the University of Vermont, and New York Medical College, where he received his MD in 1970.
Donald completed his obligated Naval Service as a Lieutenant Commander and then entered private practice first in Long Beach, CA and then in Jackson, MS, where he was a Staff Urologist at the VA Medical Center in Jackson and an Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of Mississippi.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Joseph Sawyer; and his wife, Anne R. Sawyer. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Draft Sawyer; and his brothers, Alan Sawyer (Linda Zack) and Michael Sawyer (Barbara).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 5315 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211, bethisrael.org or to any animal shelters that are always in need.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald SAWYER
4 Entries
Barbara Marder
August 25, 2025
So sorry to see this posting. Donnie, as we called him, live directly across the street from me on Clark Road in Brookline during his early childhood. That house was set up on several rolling hills. And I remember rolling down those hills on my side in the snow with both Donnie and his younger brother, Mikey, who was in my class at school, after big snowstorms.
His parents were very welcoming. I remember his mother offering fresh bake cookies and his father taking out an old movie projector and showing cowboy movies during birthday parties on the top floor of the house. I was probably six years old and had never seen such advanced technology!
My parents socialized with the Sawyers as well as their extended family, Thelma and Dave Sawyer.
I remember feeling proud of Donnie when I heard he had attended medical school and became a practicing physician. Eventually, the Sawyer family moved to Cleveland Road and I did not see them on a daily basis anymore. But I wanted to recount some of my earliest memories. And I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family.
Barbara (Cherry) Marder
Charles Mansbach
August 24, 2025
I´m very sorry for your loss.
I have fond memories of Donald that go as far back as kindergarten, and I treasure the reunions we had after our school days were over.
In recent times, Donald had kind, comforting words for me after I´d suffered a difficult loss, and I tried to do the same for him several years later.
I hope you will find a measure of comfort in your own wealth of memories.
Charles Mansbach
Waban, MA
Alexander Woodle
August 24, 2025
My deepest condolences to Rebecca, Alan and Michael and to all members of the family. Donny will be sorely missed, but our memories of him will live forever.
Donny has been a friend since kindergarten at the John D. Runkle School in Brookline, MA. We graduated together from the high school in 1962. In our youth we played baseball at our local park. Donny came to my Bar Mitzvah.
While separated by college, marriage and geography, you never lose your memories of youth. We renewed our contact a few years ago by email and saw each other in Jackson. Don picked my wife and me up at our hotel. He ran to me almost knocking me off my feet and we embraced. This act, alone, tells you all you need to know about him. We picked up where we last left off fifty years ago!
Don had an easy manner, always a smile, a sympathetic ear and a chuckle I will always remember. We had a reunion a few years back with some of our school chums at the Wayside Inn.
He will be truly missed by all, but remembered for the nice man he was.
Jimmy Considine, Charlestown
August 24, 2025
Thank you for your unselfish military service to the people of this nation. May you rest in peace.
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