Donald “Donnie” B. Openshaw, 77, of East Brookfield, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 1, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, surrounded by his loved ones.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 30 years, Beverly (Fritze) Openshaw; his children, Tammy Lajoie of Spencer, Heather Goodrow and her husband Phillip Bean of Byfield, and Dawn DiPasquale and her husband Scott of Ware; his stepsons, Troy Allen and his wife Melissa of North Brookfield, and Cody Allen and his wife Shelby of Brookfield; and his cherished grandchildren, Collin, Haeley, Annabelle, Jackson, Will, Genesis, Caleb, Greyson, and Avery. He was predeceased by his siblings William, Kenneth, Norman, May, and Carolyn.

Donnie was born in Worcester, the son of William Openshaw Sr. and Irene (Amadon) Openshaw. He graduated from Boys Trade School in Worcester and proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany. He went on to build a long and dedicated career as a millwright, retiring in 2019.

Donnie took great pride in the home he lived in for over 50 years, where he raised his daughters and built a life with Bev. He enjoyed caring for his yard, relaxing by the pool, and constantly working on home improvements—most recently completing a beautiful gazebo together. He loved traveling to Florida, Las Vegas, and throughout New England, creating memories he truly earned and cherished, even while courageously battling multiple myeloma.

Private funeral services and interment with Military Honors will be held at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donnie’s memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at https://themmrf.org/ or Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org/?form=donate