Obituary of Donal Dignan

Donal “Don” P. Dignan, a man who dedicated his life to his family and faith, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. The husband of Helen (Hanafin) he was 76 years old. Don was born in Tewksbury. He was the son of Irish immigrants the late Patrick and Josephine Dignan. He was raised and educated in Cambridge. Don was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. He held the rank of Sergeant and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Ribbon, Naval Occupation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was proud of his military service and being a Marine. He worked at Wellesley Press, Inc. in Framingham for 33 years working his way up from a printer to Printer Production Coordinator. Don’s life was centered around his family and his deep Catholic Faith. He was married to his wife Helen for 51 years. He was the proud father of 7 and “Papa” to 26 grandchildren. He worked hard to be a good provider as well as a role model for his children and grandchildren. He was a man of deep faith and an active parishioner at St. Margaret’s Church. Don was the beloved husband of Helen (Hanafin) Dignan. He was the loving father of Colleen & her husband Dana Marek of Stoneham, Donal J. Dignan & his wife Susan of Nashua, NH, Steven Dignan & his wife Sherry of Hudson, NH, Elaine & her husband Jim Ferguson of Fayetteville, GA, Chuck Dignan & his wife Sheila of Burlington, Claire & her husband John McGarry of Windham, NH, Kerry & her husband Kurt Duprez of Billerica. Brother of the late John Dignan. Brother-in-law of Judith Dignan, Larry & Kitty Provost, Rachel, Shirley, Bill & Mary, Charlie & Rose, and Maureen Hanafin, and the late Connie, Jack, Gige, and Jim Hanafin. Loving “Papa” of 26 grandchildren. Also survived by numerous nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, August 11 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., BURLINGTON at 10 a.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Visiting hours Friday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Memorials in Don’s name may be made in honor of all Marine’s, past, present and future to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St., Boston, MA 02108. For directions, obituary & on-line guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.et & www.saintmargaretschurch.net