William MacKay

1925 - 2018

William Donald MacKay

Holden - William Donald MacKay, 92, passed away on August 15, 2018. He was born on November 30, 1925 in Worcester, MA to Ralph and Helen (Jordan) MacKay. His family lived in Worcester for ten years before moving to Holden.

Don was drafted into the Navy during his senior year in high school, and graduated in absentia with his class in 1944. He spent his "boot" training in Sampson N.Y. and gunnery school at Newport R.I. He was sent to the West Coast, and then put on a troop ship bound for New Guinea where he was assigned to PT345, of Motor Torpedo Squadron 25. As the war progressed, his outfit moved north into the Philippine Islands where he saw heavy action.

Don attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst after he completed his military service. It was during this time he met his future wife, Phyllis Walker. He graduated in 1950.

Don spent a year at Hillcrest Dairy in Worcester before joining his father at Lilac Hedge Dairy. He took over Lilac Hedge Dairy when his father retired and merged with another dairy from Paxton forming Sunrise Dairy. In 1973, Sunrise Dairy closed due to dwindling volume in home deliveries. Don then took a position as plant manager of the Webster Division of the Richmond Dairy Farmer Cooperative of Richmond, VT making feta cheese. After 10 years the co-op was sold to a N.Y. co-op. The Holden Town Manager appointed Don to be Holden's Health Agent in 1986. He was well qualified for this job having served on the Board of Health for 27 years. Don was honored when the town dedicated the 1996 Annual Town Report to him upon his retirement. His last venture was selling firewood from his roadside wood wagon, "Firewood Station", located on Salisbury Street.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis, whom he was happily married to for 65 years. Don helped his children raise and show livestock at 4-H fairs where he was an active Fair Committee member. He was actively involved in Wachusett Youth Hockey League and spent many years refereeing games up through the college level. He was a beloved grandfather who enjoyed attending countless athletic and school events.

Don enjoyed working around his farmstead, being outdoors, fishing, trailering Don's Dandy Digger and doing odd jobs for contractors and homeowners, and woodworking projects.

Don is survived by his daughters, Donna Ahearn and her husband, Tim of Spencer, MA, Susan D'Amico and her husband, Anthony of Shirley, MA; his son, Robert MacKay and his wife, Ann of Berlin, MA; his sister, Lois Packard of Rumney, NH; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Ahearn, Josh Ahearn, Jamie Ahearn Cormier, Michael D'Amico, Heather D'Amico Chisholm, Ryan MacKay, Alex MacKay and Cory MacKay; and ten great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the village of people that offered friendship and assistance to Don that enabled him to live independently until the end in the house he so proudly built.

The family will be greeting friends and relatives at Miles Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 20th. A funeral service will be held at Miles Funeral Home 1158 Main Street Holden, MA at 11 am on Tuesday, August 21st. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, Holden.

Please wear something red to honor Don's favorite color.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to The Holden Grange, 26 Glenwood Place, Rutland, MA 01543 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com