Donald Leo White

Donald Leo White
December 1, 1961-November 4, 2025

Donald Leo White was the second of four children born to Leo and Janet White of Marshfield. He was predeceased by both parents and survived by his siblings: Chris (Treva) of Marshfield, John of Conway, NH, and Dianne Thomas (Gavin) of Hanson as well as his numerous nieces, and nephews.

Growing up, Don was always a strong-minded, curious child who formed his own opinions early and wasn't afraid to let others know what they were! From his earliest years he was drawn to electronic and mechanical machines. He was always working on something: erector sets as a kid, go-carts and small engines as a youth and cars (later computers) as an adult. Don also loved being out in nature and he spent as much time as he could exploring the beaches, marshes and then-deep woods around his Green Harbor home. As he got older, he also developed an interest in astronomy, marveling at images produced by the James Webb Telescope. He especially loved boating/sailing and hiking in NH (Franconia Notch) along with a love of games, especially various card games and Yahtzee. It was here that his strong competitive streak showed the most!

He attended Marshfield public schools, where he was an often-indifferent student despite his keen intelligence. The format of school didn't fit his approach to learning, while his sharp tongue and sardonic wit often frustrated his teachers. Following high school, he joined the Army and served for 6 years, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E5). The Army nurtured his mechanical aptitude and provided him with advanced training in engineering. While in the Army he was stationed in several posts in the United States, but his favorite posting was in Germany where he spent a couple of years in the early-mid-1980s.

After leaving the Army, Don's career as a Test Engineer in the electronics industry led him to several stops including Motorola and General Electric in Chicago as well as Continental Systems, Copley Controls and Excelitas, all in MA. He enjoyed his work and proud of the wide variety of devices he worked on, including advanced medical equipment.

Don left Excelitas in July 2024 when the company moved and his mother (who had been living with him for over 20-years) had begun having increased issues with her health and mobility. As a devoted son, Don took on this new caretaking role gladly. He even developed an interest in, and relish for, cooking and adopted a playful alter ego, "Frederico-Master Chef", whipping up meals with flourishes he picked up watching cooking shows! Don's intellectual curiosity and desire to learn never left him. Even in his last days, nurses working with him were impressed by his efforts to learn a new operating system on his computer!

When our Mother died on April 27, 2025, Don had been feeling ill himself for some time but thought he just had an ear infection and didn't want to be bothered going to the doctor for something he thought was minor and bound to clear up on its own. He finally agreed to go get medical care when the pain in his ear increased on 5/3/25. It was then he learned that he didn't have an ear infection. Rather, he had what appeared to be a tumor growing in his head/neck and it was recommended he be sent to the hospital in Boston immediately for better diagnosis and treatment. He refused, however, determined to attend our Mother's funeral on 5/7/25. On 5/8/25 he was brought to Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana Farber where he was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer. Ever the engineer, when Don was going for his first MRI, he briefly inspected the machine and approved because it was a type that he had personally worked on during his career! While early treatment showed promise, the chemotherapy needed to treat such advanced cancer was too much for his body and had to be stopped. From that time on he shuttled between hospitalizations at BWH and rehab at the CareOne facility in Weymouth before ultimately succumbing to his illness on November 4th. While Don wasn't a particularly religious man, he also benefited from the regular visits to his bedside by Pastor Pete Smith of the Hanson Congregational Church where his sister and mother were regular attendees. The family is very grateful for all those who provided care to Don during his illness and, in lieu of flowers ask that donations in his name be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute or to the Hanson Congregational Church.

A graveside service and burial will be held for Don at the National Cemetery in Bourne on Monday November 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM.