Donald B. Christie Jr.

Donald B. Christie, Jr., 70, of Springfield, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Memorial Medical Center after a short battle with brain cancer.

Donald was born and raised in Westborough, Massachusetts, where he met the love of his life and wife of over 48 years, Nancy (Stanton).  He attended St. Mary High School in Milford, earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and science from Worcester State, and taught science for nearly 40 years at Bellingham High School, where he also coached girls’ track and ice hockey and served as an assistant football coach.  He was known to his friends in Illinois, where he had lived for the last three years, as “Boston Don,” thanks to his thick Boston accent and passion for Boston sports; as “Bampa” to his 12 grandchildren with whom he shared a mutual love and admiration; as “Mr. Christie” to the many high school students he taught and coached during his nearly 40 years at Bellingham High School; and, affectionately, as “Chub” to his mother and three siblings, his 8 siblings-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Donald had an infectious passion for rock and roll music that flowed from his eclectic collection of hundreds of albums and left a lasting impact on his friends and family.  He was a devoted father and grandfather, sending his Massachusetts grandkids cards each month after he moved to Illinois. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Bernard Christie, Sr.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Christie of Springfield, IL; three children, Cathleen Sether of Hopedale, MA, Michael Christie (Angela) of Springfield, and Tara Costanza (Michael) of Hopedale, MA; twelve grandchildren, Casey, Kyle, and Christie Sether; Mary Katherine, John, Matthew, Thomas, and Grace Christie; Matthew, Callie, Dominic, and Michael Costanza; mother, Barbara Christie of Westborough, MA; two brothers, Peter Christie of Needham, MA and Robert Christie of Springfield, OH; and sister, Patricia Hickey of Leominster, MA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. Relatives & friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday (February 2nd) at 12PM in Sacred Heart Church, 187 Hopedale Street, Hopedale MA. Burial of his cremains will follow in Hopedale Village Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Friday (February 1st) from 4pm  to 7pm, at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA.

In lieu of flowers the family highly encourages donations in Donald’s memory be made to the National Brain Tumor Society @ http://braintumor.org

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