Donald J. Leger

Quincy – Mr. Donald J. Leger, of Quincy, formerly of Waltham, died on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. He was 73.

Don was born in Waltham on December 6, 1949, a son of the late Robert J. and Marguerite E. (LeBlanc) Leger. He graduated from Waltham High School where he was an accomplished swimmer and diver.

During the Vietnam War, he proudly served with the United States Navy.  Most of his time in the service was spent as a radioman at McMurdo Station, a U.S. military installation in Antarctica.  Don’s unit, the ‘Puckered Penguins’ were part of Operation Deep Freeze, a scientific and intelligence gathering operation that began in 1955.

Following his discharge, he worked for a number of years as a logistics specialist at the U.S. Army Laboratory in Natick. He had lived on Cape Cod, Waltham and Natick before moving to Quincy. 

A nature lover, Don enjoyed landscaping, grounds keeping, and had an affinity for animals. A self-proclaimed ‘amateur lumberjack,’ he loved spending time outdoors. He also enjoyed staying connected to fellow vets through the Natick Amvets and in recent years loved keeping up with friends and family on social media. Don enjoyed listening to music of all kinds   He had a talent for photography and was especially inspired by the subjects that surrounded him during his time at the South Pole.

In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his sister, Anita M. Leger.

He leaves his daughter, Leonora “Nori” Parker of Atascadero, California, his sisters, Roberta A. Leger (Keith Sawin) of Waltham, Theresa M. Pirie (James) of Waltham, and Annie Leger-Jeffrey (David) of White River Junction, Vermont; and his nephews, David Pirie (Sarah), Kevin Pirie, Aidan Leger-Jeffrey (Abby), Brett Sawin (Ashley) and Ryan Sawin (Isha).

Family and friends will honor and remember Don’s life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, May 7th from 2 to 5 p.m.

A private committal service will be held at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773 https://www.massaudubon.org/ or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675  www.woundedwarriorproject.org