Mr. Don R McGillicuddy

Don McGillicuddy
"Donnie"
LOWELL-Donald R. "Don" McGillicuddy, 56, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly following a medical event while refereeing a high school basketball game in Watertown on Friday evening, March 1, 2024. He was the fiancé of Nancy Walsh, who was the love of his life.
Don was born in Lowell on March 19, 1967, a son of the late Dolores (Plourde) McGillicuddy, and Paul Pilato, Sr. who survives him. He attended the Lowell Schools, and was a graduate of the Greater Lowell Tech.
Donnie was a Maintenance Supervisor with the Lowell Housing Authority, a job he loved, with people he loved working with.
Don enjoyed being involved with youth sports, especially baseball, basketball and football. He was a volunteer coach for many years in the neighborhood he grew up in, and also in the Acre. He was proud to coach his son Wayne from a young age. He was also one of the founding coaches of the Lowell Junior High Football League. When his son Wayne became a College Football Coach, Don couldn't have been prouder and was there to watch and support his son's endeavors.
Don loved his family and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. He was his daughter's hero, and his son's idol. He was the greatest Grandpa in the world to Alivianna. His family was truly his pride and joy.
A close second was Donnie's love of Golf. Long Meadow was a second home to him and he was a beloved member for many years and a current Board Member.
Basketball officiating was also a passion of Don's as he was involved with the IAABO Board 95 for the past 24 years. He loved the IAABO and had been a two term past president of Board 95.
Lowell ran proud in Don's blood. He was a proud Lowellian and gave back to his city and community in many ways. He volunteered for everything, and could never say no to anyone who asked something of him.
Don and Nancy loved to travel and had taken many vacation trips to Italy, California (Pebble Beach GL), Maine, and the south eastern United States. They made each other so happy since the day they met, and had many plans for the future.
Donnie ran on Dunkin' and started each day with a Dunkin Coffee. He was quick with a joke, and would give you the shirt off his back if he thought he could help you.
While his death was sudden and without warning, his memory will live on in many ways, through his family and all the good work he did for so many throughout his life.
Surviving Don are his children, Erica DeJesus and her husband Miguel of Nashua, NH, and his son, Wayne McGillicuddy and his wife Julia of CT; his only grandchild, Alivianna DeJesus; his fiancé, Nancy Walsh of Saugus, and her children, Julianne Giannetto and John Giannetto; his father, Paul Pilato, Sr.; his siblings, Mary Pilato Silva and her husband Mike, Paul Pilato, Jr., and Albert McGillicuddy and his wife Lisa; also many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Don was the brother of the late Theresa, Joe, and Cindy McGillicuddy. Donnie also leaves his "family" from Long Meadow, The IAABO, and the Lowell Housing Authority.
Family and friends may call at THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET IN LOWELL on WEDNESDAY, from 4 until 8 PM. It being his wish, there will be no formal Funeral Service. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Don's memory may be made to the Long Meadow Golf Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Long Meadow Golf Club, 165 Havilah St. Lowell, MA 01852 or to the IAABO Board 95 Scholarship – Pete Sheehan Fund, c/o 21 Rivercliffe Rd. Lowell, MA 01852.
ARRANGEMENTS BY THE
FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS
978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com