Donald O. Goranson

Mr. Donald Otto Goranson, of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, at the age of 96.

Don was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on August 19, 1929, along with his twin sister Astrid, to Otto and Mabel (Brazier) Goranson. He had an older sister Charlotte Ann. Don graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1947 and from Massachusetts State Teacher's College in 1951 with a Bachelor's degree in Education.

He married Natalie Weymouth Scholes of Fitchburg in 1952. Don served as a second lieutenant in the Korean conflict from 1952-1954. Then Don and Nat moved out west. He attended the University of Colorado, where he attained a Master of Arts in Education in 1956.

Don was a longtime employee of Berkshire Hills Regional School District, initially as an industrial arts teacher at Searles High School in 1957, then as a guidance counselor, a summertime high school principal, and later concluding his career in central Massachusetts as a clinical psychologist. He also found time to work on weekends for a few years at Butternut Basin selling tickets.

Mr. Goranson served on the Great Barrington Planning Board for 35 years, the last 10 years as Chairman, retiring in 2011. He is remembered for being a stickler for the rules of town bylaws and zoning. He served on the Great Barrington Historical Society and Housing Authority. He was a 34-year member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge in Fitchburg, MA.

Don had many diverse interests and hobbies, including archaeology, crossword puzzles and birding. He was an avid Red Sox fan. In his younger years, he spent a lot of time on home improvements. He and his wife Natalie traveled the world, from Egypt to Italy. In 2016 he went on a tour with his two daughters to see the World War II beaches of Normandy, France. Don maintained his independence right up until the last month of his life, driving, cooking, managing his finances.

He is survived by his twin sister Astrid Jean, and by his three children: David Goranson and his wife Pam of Orlando, FL; Heidi Maughan and her husband Gordon of Centennial, CO; and Melissa Goranson of Fitchburg, MA. Don is survived by four grandchildren, Benjamin Goranson and his partner Ammora Collins, Troy Goranson, Alexander Maughan and his wife HeaYoun Chun and Carmen Maughan, all of Colorado, and by many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Natalie Goranson in 2015 and his sister Ann Porter in 2010.

A service celebrating the life of Donald O. Goranson will be held Monday, September 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, Ma followed by a burial with Military Honors at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Don's favorite causes: the Berkshire Humane Society c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com