Donald Harrison Wesson

Donald Harrison Wesson passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, with his beloved wife of 64 years, Gay, by his side just as his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, began a playoff game against the New York Yankees.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Don was the eldest of five children of Harrison ("Wes") and Dorcas ("Ducky") Wesson. As a big brother, he was known for both his mischief and his warmth. He was an instigator of fun and adventure, but always quick to offer comfort and support when needed. He had a lively, loving childhood in Montclair filled with sports, family gatherings, and lifelong friendships. Don attended Montclair High School where he played football, basketball, and tennis. He was a member of the Boys Glee Club and was Vice President of the Student Faculty his senior year. Don proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 12, often reflecting later in life on the influence of his legendary Scoutmaster, "OK" Taylor.

Don went to Dartmouth College where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, a member of the Dartmouth Outing Club, played rugby, and was on the ski patrol at the Dartmouth Skiway. After graduating from Dartmouth in 1961 and the Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, RI, he couldn't wait to marry his high school classmate and college sweetheart, Gay Crampton. It was a wonderfully original courtship. While in high school and "just friends", Don and Gay sailed and raced together in a Lightening class sailboat under Sammy D. Knox, a formidable skipper. Their relationship grew and blossomed during college. Gay was at Connecticut College and Don would drive a 1940s Ford flatbed truck with wood rails from Stonington, CT to New London, CT to take Gay and friends for a drive-in movie.

After serving in the Navy for three years, Don earned his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. His first job was with Nashua Corp in NH. After living in Amherst, NH for several years, Nashua Corp moved Don and Gay and their young children, Jonathan and Lauren, to Milan, Italy for three years. The family embraced European culture and travel, including annual ski trips to Verbier, Switzerland where Don shared his love for skiing and fondue with an occasional yodel.

Returning to the U.S. in 1974, the Wessons settled in Longmeadow, MA, where they lived for almost 50 years. Don worked for Hano Business Forms and later Veritech Corp. A lifelong learner, Don successfully pivoted into multimedia and video production in the 1990s. As a sales and marketing executive, Don helped Veritech grow, gain recognition as a successful small business, and earn industry awards. After "retiring," he started his own company, Multimedia Solutions, LLC.

Don's commitment to community ran deep. He served as a deacon at the First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, volunteered with A Better Chance (ABC), and devoted nearly 30 years to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. His roles with JA included Board Chairman, Interim President, volunteer, and fundraiser. In 2009, he was honored with JA's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Of all his roles, the ones he held most dear was being a father and grandfather. Don thoroughly enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in their athletic, scholastic and social interests. Don was proud of all their accomplishments and committed to being their number one fan and cheerleader in all their endeavors.

Don was an avid golfer. Although he enjoyed the competition, he valued the camaraderie and friendships even more. He was the ringleader and travel planner for annual family golf trips to Myrtle Beach and later Florida destinations. Affectionately known as "Big Stick," Don took charge of transportation, accommodations and managing tee times. Every year, he introduced a new, often convoluted, scoring system and took great delight in seeing the perplexed faces as he explained the complexities to the group. More than most, Don understood the true purpose of these yearly trips was to renew and strengthen the family bonds and friendships that tend to weaken as life pulls everyone in different directions.

A gifted and passionate sailor, Don spent years racing and cruising the waters of New England and the Caribbean with Gay and extended family. Whether navigating storms or fixing a broken toilet mid-charter (leading to the legendary "Piss Pot" story), Don was a calm and capable captain who found joy in teaching others the ropes. He cherished time spent at the family home in Stonington, CT, where four generations of his extended family come together to enjoy summer games, picnics, and the stunning shoreline.

He is survived by his wife Gay; son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Lucinda; daughter Lauren; and four grandchildren: Gardner, Lucas, Piper and Creighton.

A service will be held for Don on November 1, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA. A reception will follow in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts:
https://westernmass.ja.org/donate/index

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