Donald E. Haley

Obituary for Donald E. Haley

Donald E. Haley , who passed away at the age of 85 in Brentwood, NH on August 18th, 2025 was born May 29, 1940, the second child of Harold and Vera Haley, and grew up in Saugus, MA. He was a conscientious student, a Boy Scout patrol leader and football player at Saugus High School, graduating from Saugus High in 1958. He graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. Don worked for Draper Labs and other engineering companies for many years, at some points working contract jobs that allowed him more time to pursue other interests. He was a scoutmaster for many years. Those who knew Don were impressed by his caring for many people who needed assistance and by his generosity of time and funds. He mentored some scouts who needed help to get their lives on track. He visited a former scoutmaster who had Parkinson's disease, Ray Knox, in a nursing home and brought him to and from numerous scout meetings. He was an avid golfer, golfing until shortly before his death. After his father's death he operated his dad's meat store, Broadway Food Center, in Lynn for several years primarily to keep the employees working. He met his wife Janet Wojciechowski and they both volunteered with the Crombie Street Congregational Church's outreach program and shelter for the homeless in Salem, MA. Don and Janet married later in life and eventually worked together in her veterinary dermatology and allergy practice in Kingston, NH. They shared a life-long love of animals. From Janet, he developed an interest in birding, which they enjoyed doing at home and in their travels.

Don kept up friendships with men he grew up with in Saugus, gathering for breakfasts out with Steve Rich, Dick Oliver, Rich Warbin and Ted Smith.

Don was pre-deceased by his wife, Janet Wojciechowski, who passed away in January and by his sister, Janice Coffin and brother (Harold) Ralph Haley. He is survived by his sister Muriel Ostrowski and her husband John of Burlington, sister-in-law Elizabeth Haley of Reading, brother and sister-in-law Rob and Sara Wojciechowski of CT and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Don was active for many years at First Congregational Church in Saugus and also a member at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Brentwood, NH.

Visiting hours will be Friday September 5th from 5-7 at Brewitt Funeral Home at 9 Pleasant Street in Epping, NH with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. An additional visiting hour will be Saturday September 6th in Saugus, MA at the First Congregational Church (300 Central Street) at 10 A.M., followed by a funeral service at 11 A.M. and burial, along with his wife Janet's cremains, in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Center at P.O. Box 153, Burlington, MA 01803 or to your favorite charity.

For more information, visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com