North Reading's Don Hitchins Passes Away

An obituary from the Croswell Funeral Home:

Donald G. Hitchins, 68, of Andover and formerly of North Reading, died Friday, Sept. 27 at the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in Billerica.

Donald was born in Chelsea on March 2, 1951. He was the son of the late Arthur P. and Philomena (Grieco) Hitchins. Don was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High, Class of 1969. He has been a resident of Andover since 1978. For over 38 years, he worked out of Boston’s Logan Airport for Northwest and Delta Airlines as a District Operations Manager, Plant Maintenance Manager, and Ground Service Equipment Mechanic. Donnie was a tireless and dedicated employee who received countless awards and accolades for his achievements. He retired in 2016.

From rebuilding industrial diesel engines and front end loaders, to tinkering on cars and lawnmowers in the driveway, Don was known as a brilliant mechanic. Both his peers and family would tell you that there was never anything that “Diesel Don” couldn’t fix.

Donald also took great pride in serving as a civilian contractor with the United States Air Force in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. For his distinguished service, Don received several of the highest honors and medals awarded to civilians serving our U.S. military.

In retirement, his biggest joys came from walking in the woods with his dog Duncan, mowing the lawn, snow-blowing the driveway, tinkering in the basement, frequent trips to Dunkin Donuts, telling his children to visit more often and drive slower, but most especially chasing his granddaughter around the house and feeding her too many Oreos.

Donald loved his family with all of his heart. Family members include his loving wife Sandra J. (Fraser) Hitchins; his son, Todd Hitchins and wife Celia; daughters, Amanda (Hitchins) Lee and her husband Michael, Jesse Hitchins and her partner Andrew Luttrell; brothers, Fred Hitchins and his wife Deborah, Robert Hitchins and his wife Ellen; sisters, Barbara Zeimetz and her husband Anthony, Kathleen Gallant and her husband Timothy; two grandchildren, Annika and Kellan Lee.

His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 10:30 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6 Locke Street in Andover. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 3 to 7 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to North Reading Veteran’s Gift Account, 235 North Street (Town Hall), North Reading, MA 01864, att. Susan Magner.