Obituary of Edward J. Donaldson

Edward J. Donaldson, 78, of Topsfield and formerly of Peabody, died early Tuesday morning at the Masconomet Healthcare Center following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of the late Rose Marie (Ellis) Donaldson. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Samuel and Ethel (Yonker) Donaldson. He was raised and educated in Dumont, New Jersey and later after marriage moved to Saugus for 10 years, in Peabody for 37 years and has spent the last couple of years living in Danvers and Topsfield. He was a veteran of WWII who served with the United States Army Air Corps and was shot down over French Occupied territory and with help from the French Underground, was smuggled out of France without further injury. After the War he attended Columbia University in New York City and received a Masters Degree in Business. He worked for U. S. Bedford Textiles and later started his own business, Donaldson Associates, as a sales manufacturing representative. He was a member of Boston Area of Traveling Salesman, Andover Sportsman Club, and past president of the Boston Curtain and Drapery. He was affectionately known by all those who knew and loved him as grampy. He also was a accomplished painter, enjoyed fishing, metal detecting, and collecting antique pocket watchers and coins. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Lawrence White of Danvers; a sister, Ann Woerdeman of Masphee; 2 grandchildren, Steven and Daniel White of Danvers. He was the father of the late Steven E. Donaldson, 2nd Lt. of the United States Marines. His funeral service will be held on Friday at 9:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 12 Chestnut St., Peabody Facility, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Adelaide’ s Church at 10:00 AM to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visitation on Thursday from 4-8 PM. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to, Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923 or Steven E. Donaldson Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Bishop Fenwick High School, 99 Margin St., Peabody, MA 01960.