Donald H. Gowdy

Donald H. Gowdy, 95, of Nashua, died peacefully Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. Donald (Don) was born in Fitchburg, MA on May 6, 1929, son of the late Earl and Lillian Gowdy. He attended school at Leominster High School, graduating in 1948 and subsequently completed an Associate degree in electrical engineering before he found his calling as a radio and electronics specialist. Don started out as a TV repair man, then moved on to work in the defense industry with Lincoln Labs (MIT), and later with Sanders/Lockheed Martin as a Senior Engineering Associate, a career that spanned 40 plus years. Fortunately for Don, he met “the most beautiful girl at the dance”, Registered Nurse, Berthe (Maurice), whom he married in 1951. They ultimately made their home in Hudson, NH, and raised five children along with a bountiful vegetable garden and a “wicked tall” Ham radio tower that sported a large brightly lit star that could be seen miles away on Christmas Day. Don was passionate about Ham radio, communicated throughout the world and participated in local Ham radio clubs for many decades. He volunteered in the US Naval Reserve from 1950 to 1958. Don was also a Little League coach, Boy Scout Leader, grill master, fisherman, hunter, bird watcher, tinkerer, and carpenter, building out his modest house to add two bedrooms and a bathroom; and if he wasn’t fixing his house, he’d come over and fix yours. Don loved to sing. He sang in the choir at St. John’s and St. Kathryn’s church in Hudson and St. John’s XXIII in Nashua, as well as in a men’s choir. And when he wasn’t singing, he was busy whistling a tune instead. Most importantly, he was passionate about his family, always extending his hand and his generous spirit, from his children to his great grandchildren. We will fondly remember Don for his endless good nature, singing voice (especially via Johnny Mercer’s Dream), bad dad jokes and corny dadisms, the latter of which have already spanned multiple generations and show no sign of fading out anytime soon. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Berthe (Maurice) Gowdy, in 2009; his cherished daughter, Patricia (Gowdy) Malik; in 2018 and two sisters, Norma (Gowdy) Albert and Lucille (Gowdy) Delbove. Don is survived by his daughter, Mary Gowdy and partner Christopher Burns of Fitchburg, MA; three sons and daughters-in-law: Marc and Rebecca Gowdy of Berwick, ME; Bruce Gowdy and his wife Eve Aldridge of Oakland, CA; and Scott and Michele Gowdy of Wilmington, NC; and one sister, Louise (Gowdy) Watson. He also leaves seven grandchildren, who loved Grandpa dearly: Benjamin Gowdy; Stuart Gowdy, Alia (Malik) Pharr, Jaheed Malik, Brendan Gowdy, Heather (Gowdy) Wiand and Alyssa Gowdy and many beloved great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the Hunt Community in Nashua, NH for their loving and devoted care of Don for the past 10 years, and Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH, for their compassionate care of both Berthe and Don in their final hours. “Dream, dream, dream” on, dear Dad. We will miss you. The immediate family will hold a private celebration of life in the spring of 2025.

Donald H. Gowdy

May 6, 1929 - August 27, 2024