Donald L Lemieux

Donald L. Lemieux, 89, of Fitchburg MA, passed away peacefully in his home on September 9, 2024, with his loving wife by his side, after a long battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Donald (Don) was born in Sanford, Maine, on March 3, 1935. Don was a Korean War Veteran and he was stationed in South Korea. Don married his neighbor and the love of his life, Jeanette Mitchell, on August 28, 1954. Don and Jeanette, affectionately known by Don as "Jeanettie," just celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage together. Don and Jeanette were as in love at their 70th anniversary as they were when they married as teenagers in 1954. They loved to dance, and at family weddings would always be the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. 

Don and Jeanette had a trailer at the family campground, Wild Acres, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, where they enjoyed spending their summers for over 40 years. In starting their summer tradition here, they created a family tradition that has lasted for generations. While in Maine, Don cared for harness racing horses at Scarborough Downs. Don just loved these horses, especially Sweet Preston and Jimmy. He enjoyed caring for them with Jeanette and bringing his grandchildren to the stables and to watch the races.  

Don loved sports and coaching. He especially loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in football, basketball, softball, cross-country and track and field. He had a keen eye for the long "track star" legs, and good strong throwing arms of his great grandchildren.

Donald is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Jeanette (Mitchell) Lemieux of Fitchburg,  his daughter, Debra Hagan and her husband Robert, son, Glenn Lemieux and his wife Roberta, son, Craig Lemieux and his wife Julie, his daughter-in-law Patty Lemieux, his sister Carole Seretto, many grandchildren: Perry Pappas, Kristy Nurmikko-Pappas and her wife Tiia, Jason Pappas, Tricia Bardzak (Lemieux) and her husband Gary, Donald Lemieux and his wife Bridget, Glenn Lemieux and his wife Cassie, Nathan Lemieux, Nicole Houpes (Hagan) and her husband Nicholas, Hannah Lemieux, Connor Lemieux, and Paige Maiato and her husband Joseph, and nine great-grandchildren: Niko Pappas, Riley Bardzak, Brady Lemieux, Carter Nurmikko-Pappas, Mikah Bardzak, Landon Bardzak, Joseph Theodore Lemieux, Parker Lemieux, and Kennedy Nurmikko-Pappas 

Donald was predeceased by his mother, Marguerite (Lamarre) Lemieux, who passed when he was only 2 years old, his father, Leo Lemieux, brother Roland Lemieux, and son Donald W. Lemieux in 2022. 

Don, his piercing blue eyes, his laugh, and his signature dance moves will be sorely missed by all who loved him dearly. 

Services will be held on Wednesday, September 25th at Lavery Chartrand  Alario Funeral Home on Summer St in Fitchburg from 9:30-10:30, followed by a Mass at St. Bernard Parish at St. Camillus de Lellis Church in Fitchburg at 11:00am. 

Our family would like to thank the staff at Manor on the Hill Assisted Living for all the care they provided Don, and the nurses at Reliant Home Hospice, specifically Mike, for their wonderful and compassionate care towards Don and our entire family.