Obituary for Donald E. "Don" McCready
Donald E. “Don” McCready of Boston, Massachusetts, Michigan native, veteran of the U.S. Navy, retired executive, advocate for higher education, volunteer for international and local causes and, most of all, a true gentleman, died on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the age of 91.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy following graduation from high school, Don was part of the “Silent Service”, assigned to the submarine USS Ronquil. After completing his military obligations, he studied at the University of Michigan, earning both Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees, each of which he was able to complete using the benefits of the G.I. Bill. Don recognized that his later professional success was due to this education, which would have been unavailable to him without financial assistance. He felt it important to support higher education, particularly for those students who might not otherwise have the means to attend college and, in particular, might be the first in the family to do so.
Don was a successful business executive in the finance profession, holding various positions with the Procter and Gamble Company in many locations, including, Venezuela, China, Japan and South Africa, as well as its headquarters in Cincinnati. It was a natural next step for him to volunteer with the International Executive Service Corps after he retired, offering his wise and keen advice to small entities in Russia and Ukraine, as well as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
While volunteering in Vladivostok, Russia, Don became friends with two American priests who were attempting to rebuild a Catholic parish in that area, including an organization working to find homes for orphaned children. Upon Don’s return to Boston, he raised funds for this cause, speaking at various Catholic parishes and conferences. The parish and staff of St. Joseph’s Church in Boston also were enriched by his efforts. He was an active parishioner, serving on the Finance Council and, quietly, assisting an employee with immigration issues.
Although Don enjoyed life, traveling to over 40 countries, it would safe to say that many of his happiest moments came during his later years, after he met his beloved Carol Murphy. She lived in the same building in Boston and, as it happened, was also a volunteer for the Vladivostok efforts. She became the light of his life and he of hers, enjoying quiet times together, as well as adventuring far and wide. Carol died in 2017 and Don grieved her loss until his final day.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, 68 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Joseph’s at 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. Private interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donald E. McCready and Carol M. Murphy Endowed Scholarship at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, either on-line at https://www.anselm.edu/support-saint-anselm-college/online or by mail to Saint Anselm College, Box 1738, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy following graduation from high school, Don was part of the “Silent Service”, assigned to the submarine USS Ronquil. After completing his military obligations, he studied at the University of Michigan, earning both Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees, each of which he was able to complete using the benefits of the G.I. Bill. Don recognized that his later professional success was due to this education, which would have been unavailable to him without financial assistance. He felt it important to support higher education, particularly for those students who might not otherwise have the means to attend college and, in particular, might be the first in the family to do so.
Don was a successful business executive in the finance profession, holding various positions with the Procter and Gamble Company in many locations, including, Venezuela, China, Japan and South Africa, as well as its headquarters in Cincinnati. It was a natural next step for him to volunteer with the International Executive Service Corps after he retired, offering his wise and keen advice to small entities in Russia and Ukraine, as well as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
While volunteering in Vladivostok, Russia, Don became friends with two American priests who were attempting to rebuild a Catholic parish in that area, including an organization working to find homes for orphaned children. Upon Don’s return to Boston, he raised funds for this cause, speaking at various Catholic parishes and conferences. The parish and staff of St. Joseph’s Church in Boston also were enriched by his efforts. He was an active parishioner, serving on the Finance Council and, quietly, assisting an employee with immigration issues.
Although Don enjoyed life, traveling to over 40 countries, it would safe to say that many of his happiest moments came during his later years, after he met his beloved Carol Murphy. She lived in the same building in Boston and, as it happened, was also a volunteer for the Vladivostok efforts. She became the light of his life and he of hers, enjoying quiet times together, as well as adventuring far and wide. Carol died in 2017 and Don grieved her loss until his final day.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, 68 William Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Joseph’s at 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. Private interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Donald E. McCready and Carol M. Murphy Endowed Scholarship at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, either on-line at https://www.anselm.edu/support-saint-anselm-college/online or by mail to Saint Anselm College, Box 1738, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102.