Donald W. Kimtis, 96, of Phoenix Maryland, formerly of Centerville and Gardner Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on June 16, 2025 surrounded by family.
Donald was born in Stoughton Massachusetts and graduated from Stoughton High School before matriculating to Trinity Preparatory in New York and then attending and graduating from Columbia University where he excelled in collegiate athletics playing football and baseball. On June 19th, 1951, he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox where he balanced finishing his college education while playing professional baseball. He was honored and inducted into the Stoughton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
Donald also earned a Master’s degree and CAGS from Boston University, before becoming the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for both the town of Littleton and the City of Gardner until his retirement in 1992.
He was a devoted family man and lived faithfully in the presence of God serving others. His beloved wife Mary was the light of his life and they enjoyed hosting visits from their children, grandchildren, friends, and relatives at their home in Centerville during retirement. Donald always had a kind word for people, was a loving and caring neighbor, and made the world a better place through his humility, work ethic, and love. He always saw the face of God in everyone he met and treated each person with grace, dignity, and love.
Donald leaves with love, his children Donna (Kimtis) Friedrich and her husband Gerhard of Phoenix Maryland, Donald W. Kimtis Jr and his wife Beth of New London, NH, and Maureen T. LaRoche of Westminster MA, as well as grandchildren Kiley Friedrich (Sean), Patrick LaRoche (Beca) Christian LaRoche (Felicia) Nicole Kimtis, Meghan Kimtis and his great grandchildren, Peyton, Brynley, and Grayson Murphy and Londyn LaRoche, who all served as a source of joy, light, and love. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary T. Kimtis, parents Charles and Ursula Kimtis, and brothers Charles and Edmund Kimtis.
A special note of gratitude and love is given to his oldest daughter Donna and her husband Gerhard for the kind and compassionate care they provided in their home during Donald’s final years.
Visitation will be held at Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park Street (Rt. 27), Stoughton, on Friday June 27th from 9:30-10:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian burial at Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street in Stoughton. at 11 AM. Burial will follow at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 1109 Central Street Stoughton immediately following the Funeral Mass.
As Donald believed in the importance of love and helping others, we ask that in his memory and with prayer, that you consider making someone’s life more beautiful by sharing your time and love.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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