Donald W.

"Donny" Kingsbury

Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours for Donald W. Kingsbury on Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea.  The gathering will be immediately followed by his funeral service and Military Honors in the Funeral Home.  Donny will be placed to rest in the Massachusetts National Cemetery at a later date.

At 82 years of age, Donny passed away after living courageously with several ongoing illnesses on Wednesday February 7th at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Born and raised in Roxbury and Dorchester, he was one of 15 children of the late Paul V. and Dorothy (Langill) Kingsbury.

Donny attended Boston Public Schools.  At the age of 17, Donny enlisted into the Army in 1958, he served in Germany as a Medic, and was honorably discharged in 1961

He returned home to Boston and was married to Gail L. (Shankel) Kingsbury.  He worked locally as a Cab Driver.  The father of three, he settled with his family in St. George, Maine.  In Maine he worked as a Pipefitter and Shipbuilder at Bath Iron Works, Shipyard.  He was elected as a Selectman and County Commissioner in St. George and held those offices for several terms.

He retired from the shipyard and was a resident of Chelsea for the past 25 years.

As a Vietnam Veteran, he was a self-proclaimed "Veteran for Life" and was a fierce advocate for veteran services.  He was a past member and president of the Chelsea Veteran Council, held the position as editor of The Bugler, a veterans periodical.  And was a past commander of the National Honor Guard.  Donny was also appointed to the Chelsea Housing Authority, Board of Commissioners in 2013 and served on the board to 2020.

He was a talented calligrapher and enjoyed his lifetime of service to his family, friends, and others in need.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by 10 of his siblings; Richard, Bill, Bob, Carole, Joseph, Ed, Betty, John, Jim, and Jane.

He is lovingly survived by his longtime companion, Jean Reid, and his children Janet Baker, Donald Kingsbury, Jr., and Daniel Kingsbury, his grandchildren Kelsey Keefe and Ronan Baker, and great-grandchildren, Charlotte Thomas and Cole Furnier, a sister Linda Conti, and three brothers Daniel Kingsbury, Thomas Kingsbury, and Paul Kingsbury.  He is also survived by his former wife Gail L. Kingsbury and Jean's children; Cynthia Roberts, Sheree Reid, Karen Washington, and Marla Reid.  Along with her grandchildren; Donald Washington, Corey Roberts, Kamryn Howard, and great-grandchildren; Emori Washington, Calise Roberts and Akemi Washington.