Obituary of Donald F. Keller

Donald Francis Keller, 89, of Peabody, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 22, at his home. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary E. (Raffenello) Keller. Donald was born on June 13, 1930, in Salem, MA, son of the late Frank and Virginia (Buivid) Keller. He was raised and educated in Salem, attending grammar school at St. John the Baptist School, and graduating from Salem High School, class of 1947. Don was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp., serving from 1951-1953. Don married Mary E. (Raffenello) Keller on July 12, 1953. Together they lived in Peabody and then Salem before settling in Peabody for good in 1961. Don lost his right arm because of an industrial accident at Kirstein Leather on November, 23, 1954. Don worked at Raytheon Company in Andover, MA, in quality control, working his way up from test man, then group leader, then finally to Assistant Foreman, working on the Hawk Missile System from 1958-1965. Don then went to work at Sanders Associates in Bedford, MA, as a quality assurance engineer on the FAAR program from 1966-1971. In 1972, he went to work for the City of Peabody. He retired from Peabody City Hall in 1993, working in the city payroll department as a computer programmer at the end of his career. As a boy growing up, Don loved salt water fishing. As an adult, he enjoyed vacationing in the New England States, especially New Hampshire and Maine with family and friends. He was also fond of boating in his fourteen-foot outboard boat on Lake Winnipesaukee. Don was happy spending time handgun shooting at the Danvers Fish and Game in Middleton. Don was a member of the Peabody Elks for many years and was an avid bowler, participating in leagues in Peabody and Danvers for many years. He was a lifelong New England Patriots fan and enjoyed their six championships. In retirement, Don could be found spending time on his computer, especially on his flight simulator. After a trip years ago to Las Vegas with his wife Mary, the two of them took many trips to Atlantic City and then Foxwoods Resorts. Don was a loving and devoted caregiver for Mary for many years until her passing. He is survived by a son, Donald A. Keller; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy (Keller) Getchell and her husband Mitch; four grandchildren, Matthew Keller & his wife Amanda (Dorian) Keller, Amy (Keller) Pocsik and her husband Chris Pocsik, Macy Getchell and Danielle Getchell, four great-grandchildren, Zachary Pocsik, Benjamin Pocsik, Matthew Keller and Daniel Keller, a sister and her husband, Lorraine (Keller) Dickson and her husband Dick, a brother-in-law, Ray Garcelon, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Ann (Keller) Garcelon. A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28, from 4:30P.M. – 7 P.M., at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His funeral mass will be held on Monday, July 29, at 11 AM, at St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn.