Donald William Prior entered eternal rest at his daughter Kim’s home on February 1, 2024, after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Don was born in Worcester, MA on June 25, 1946 to Raymond W & Elaine P (Stahl) Prior.  He spent most of his childhood years in Shrewsbury, until the summer before his senior year of High School when the family moved to Worcester.  He obtained his Eagle Scout and was Master Councilor in the Order of DeMolay which is part of the Masonic Fraternity.  Upon graduation from High School in 1964, Don took classes for 2 years at Worcester Junior College and then joined the US Navy and was Honorably Discharged as a Sonar Technician third class on November 1, 1968.  He met his future wife Nancie Ann (Smith) while attending Worcester Junior.   They were married on August 1, 1970.   They lived in Hartford, CT and Holden, MA before buying the house they called home in 1973.  There they met what would be their lifelong friends Joe and Gert Carpinetti who lived across the street.  Daughter Heidi Lynn was born in 1978 and Daughter Kimberly Ann in 1980.  

Don spent his professional career in food service.  He started his career as a restaurant manager and ended his career as a Financial Analyst for Papa Gino’s / D’Angelo’s, retiring in 2013.  Don was highly respected in his field and was known to help anyone who asked.  While he may have had to work long hours and weekends at the beginning of his career, he was a dedicated husband and father who ensured his family did not want for anything.  The family vacationed at their home in Middleton, NH and he and Nancie enjoyed many cruises over the years.

Don was the rock of a father every daughter dreams of.  He supported Heidi in her music and Kim in her sports driving all over the state for music competitions and volleyball, basketball, and softball games.   Don’s greatest joy came with the arrival of his grandchildren – Brielle Ann Brothers in 2008 and David Jason Cadrin in 2010.  He spent his retirement reveling in his Grampy status – being daycare, taxi driver, dinner maker, and homework helper.  He was their biggest cheerleader once they got active in sports and drove all over New England to watch their games – soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, softball, and baseball.  He missed very few of their games before he became ill.

He was predeceased by his parents.  In addition to his wife Nancie, he is survived by his daughters Heidi Prior and her partner Rob Bureau, Kim and her husband Jason Cadrin, grandchildren Brielle and David and his older sister Judith Prior.

The family would like to thank Brookhaven Hospice for the loving care and support of Dad they provided during his last weeks.  It takes truly special souls to help patients and families walk the toughest road you can possibly imagine.

Family and friends are invited to remember Don’s life by gathering for a time of visitation on Thursday, Feb. 8^th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury.  His funeral service will be held on Friday, Feb. 9^th at 10 a.m. in the funeral home.  Burial will follow in WCMP, Paxton.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Don may be made to the Brielle Brothers / David Cadrin Scholarship Fund c/o Kimberly Cadrin 12 Bellville Ln Millbury, MA or to Brookhaven Hospice 114 Turnpike Rd, Ste 206 Westborough, MA 01581.