Donald Cox

Donald (Don) William Cox, age 91, of Lynnfield, MA died after a brief illness Thursday, January 27, 2022 at home surrounded by family. Mr. Cox was born September 16, 1930 in Fall River, MA, the son of William Henry Cox and Elodia Adele Fauteux Cox. He moved to Providence, RI at a young age, attended LaSalle Academy in Providence, the Univ. of RI, and Clarke University. He served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, then worked a short time for the US Weather Service with assignments in Alaska and the top of Mt. Washington in winter to study the effects of extreme cold temperatures. Soon afterwards he started a career in the Bell System, first at New England Telephone where he went from Engineering to various Marketing and Sales and Executive assignments, rising to the level of Vice President - Directory and Director - Information Systems. He attended and later taught at the prestigious Bell System School for Executives at Cooperstown, NY, relishing the opportunity to spend time at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also had assignments with AT&T International in Europe and Saudia Arabia, particularly enjoying trips out onto the desert and experiences with the culture of the country. He thrived on any educational opportunity, especially the summer sabbaticals he had at Dartmouth College and Harvard University. On retirement he served on the Lynnfield Finance Committee and was elected to the Lynnfield School Board.
He had been an accomplished athlete as a young man and was known for his skills and knowledge of basketball, baseball and hockey. He coached a State Championship High School basketball team while living in Rhode Island and coached or assisted with Little League Baseball and Youth Hockey in Lynnfield. For many years after retirement he skated each weekday morning for exercise at the Peabody Ice Rink, enjoying the camaraderie of the group of skaters who met there each day. Most of all, he supported his children in their athletic endeavors, whether it was soccer, girls softball, baseball, hockey or golf.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Barbara Geary Cox.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jan Robbins Cox, his beloved children, Kathleen M. Cox of Greenland, NH, Elizabeth A. Henneman of Northampton, MA, Susan M. Cox of Wakefield, MA, Daniel Patrick Cox of St. Mary's, GA, Patricia J. Shaffer (Ted) of Rochester, NH, Jeffrey W. Cox (fiancé Michaela Johnson) of Stoneham, MA, his five grandchildren, Krista Henneman, Dr. Justin Henneman (Amarita), Alison Bisch (Chris Bedi), Brandon Henneman and his three adored great grandchildren, Ruby, Henry and Anisa. Also survived by his dear brother, Loring J. Cox of Warwick as well as loving nephews and nieces.
His funeral mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Corner of Salem & Grove Sts. Lynnfield on Thursday at 11am. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield prior to the mass from 9am to 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to LaSalle Academy Scholarship Fund, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908 or to the Semper Fi & America's Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Thursday, February 03
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

Thursday, February 03
11:00 AM

Our Lady of the Assumption
4 Grove St.
Lynnfield, MA 01940