Donald Martin Black passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in the presence of his family.
Don was predeceased by his parents, James and Charlotte (Martin) Black, and brother, Kenneth. Don is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughters, Donna Waksman (Larry) of South Windsor, CT, and Deborah Black of Inverness, FL; grandchildren, Benjamin Waksman of Washington, DC, Elyse Waksman (Jon Zabierek) of Worcester, MA, and Christian Black Morell (Taylor Morell) of Enfield, CT; great granddaughter, Magnolia Bea Morell and many nieces and nephews.
Don was born in Keene, New Hampshire on December 31, 1930. He lived there with his parents, brother, and extended family until the age of 12 when they moved to Greenfield, MA.
Don graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics followed by a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Hartford, and a master’s degree in engineering from RPI.
He married the love of his life, Beverly Gaimari on February 22, 1954 at the Congregational Church in Turners Falls, MA. They spent the following two years in Washington, DC where Don did his military service in the Sound Recording Studio at the White House.
After discharge, Don and Beverly settled in Enfield, CT, where they raised their two daughters, Donna and Deborah. Don worked as an aerodynamics analytical engineer at Hamilton Standard for thirty years. He contributed to design and performance enhancements of propellers and counter-rotating propeller systems, mastering the use of slide-rules and hand-drawn graphs and charts. During those years, he honed his golfing skills-something imbued by his father-achieving the rare status of a “scratch” handicap. Exhibiting his unique focus on goals, he strived to and achieved his dream of retiring in 1985, at age 55.
Following retirement Don and Beverly moved to Inverness, FL, joining the Inverness Golf and Country Club where they pursued their love of golf. Don played an instrumental role in making certain that club tournaments ran seamlessly. His meticulous attention to detail was evident in the scoreboard posters he designed by hand and in his careful verification of player handicaps to ensure fairness and integrity. Don took pride in his game, where -at the age of 75 – he was able to “shoot his age” for the first of many times. For Don, golf was the greatest game mankind had ever invented and oh how he loved it.
Above all, Don treasured his wife Beverly and his two daughters. Throughout his life he found enjoyment in family vacations, his beloved cocker spaniels, sharing stories, and entertaining his vast circle of friends. Don was a kind, generous, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Don’s generosity extended well beyond his immediate family to so many others in their times of need. His compassion consisted of the time, guidance and assistance he shared with them.
Don and Beverly recently celebrated 71 years of a beautiful marriage.
The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice for their compassionate care.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11am on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church of Inverness (206 Washington Avenue).
Burial with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA at a date to be determined.
Donations in Don’s memory may be made to Vitas Healthcare on their website at www.vitascommunityconnection.org or the First Presbyterian Church of Inverness at www.firstpresinverness.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Charles E Davis Funeral Home Inverness, FL. Visit www.chasdavis.com
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