Donald J. Fox

Donald (Don) Joseph Fox, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on January 17, 2024 at the age of 88 after a long illness in Framingham Massachusetts (MA) formerly of Cotuit, MA. and Estero, FL. He was born in Newton, MA on June 22, 1935, to the late Ralph Lawrence and Catherine (Connolly) Fox. Don will be remembered as strong-minded, larger-than-life, charismatic, kind, generous, intelligent, and funny. He was a hero to some, he loved to laugh and you always knew he was on your side. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Don attended Newton High School where he played baseball and football, but his true gift was hockey. Don grew up in Auburndale, MA where, at a young age, he started skating on The Bog, a local wetland that is now the site of the Burr School, and on Ware's Cove on the Charles River. There he mastered the basic skills of ice hockey that lead to an illustrious, award-winning career that would, 50 years later, earn him the honor of being inducted into Newton High School's Hall of Fame in 2010 and again in 2012 into the Boston College Hall of fame both for his innumerable contributions to hockey.

Don attended Boston College (BC) where he studied business earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. Don remained a lifelong BC supporter attending college football games for many years. He proudly displayed BC memorabilia in his office and loved to tell stories of his beloved Boston College.

In 1959, Don's hockey career was about to take a turn. After serving two years in the Army, he was invited to go to Minnesota to try out for the national team. That would have been Don's ticket to the 1960 Olympics. Fate, however, intervened, and his hockey career came to an end after he fractured a bone in his leg in tryouts.

In 1959 Don's life changed forever when he met and eventually married the love of his life, Vera Julianna Grimbilas. Don and Vera met at a dance at the Newton Wellesley Hospital, where Vera was studying nursing. Don and his good friend, Billy White, tried to barter their way into the dance but Vera wasn't having it. Finally, after trying to pay as little as possible (and failing), Don asked Vera for a dance. That was it, true love blossomed and they spent 63 happy years together. Don and Vera spent their married life raising three children, supporting each other in their individual endeavors, entertaining friends and family, traveling the world and in their later years sharing their love of golf.

Vera would always say, "Don had the gift of gab." His effervescent, jolly, inquisitive nature was a perfect fit for the career he ultimately chose. Don began as a Claims Adjustor for Lumberman Insurance and Century Insurance. From 1972 to 1991, he worked for Matthew Bender Law Books as a salesman and eventual sales manager. In 1992 he became regional manager at CBC Legal Publishing, where he worked until his retirement in 1997. Don also had an interest in real estate. He, along with his brother Bob, started DoBo LLC buying land and building homes on Cape Cod from 1982 to 1987. Later Don worked closely with his son, Donald, founding DOVE Development and for many years built homes in Newton MA.

In addition to his wife, Don is survived by three children, his daughters, Brenda of Santa Rosa, CA; Maureen Casassa, and her husband, Paul of Framingham MA; his son, Donald and his wife, Christina of Concord MA. His brothers, Ralph Lawrence Fox III and his wife, Joan of Buzzards Bay, MA and Robert Keenan Fox and his wife, Joanne of Mashpee, MA. Don also leaves seven grandchildren who loved him immensely, Leanne, Renee and Dominic Precopio, of Westborough MA; Rainer Schuldt, of Santa Rosa CA; and Julianna Schuldt of Los Angeles CA; Donald Fox III of Austin TX and Brianna Fox of Concord MA, and many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

Visiting hours on Sunday, January 21, 2024 from 2 pm - 5 pm at Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St, Newton MA. The church service on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 10:30 am at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington St in Newton with the burial immediately following at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut Street, Newton Center, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Donald Joseph Fox, may be made to March of Dimes or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.