August 19, 1946 – November 9, 2026
Donald Joseph Powell, 80, died on November 9, 2026, at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts. Born in Fall River on August 19, 1946, he was the son of the late Francis and Loretta (Montigny) Powell. He grew up in Fall River, graduated from Coyle Cassidy High School in Taunton, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University.
Don spent his career teaching biology at B.M.C. Durfee High School, where he also coached both Winter and Spring Track. He co-founded the school's aquaculture program, giving students a truly unique hands-on learning opportunity at the time and to see real-world paths into marine science, fisheries, and environmental work. The program remains one of the proudest parts of his legacy and was the pride of the Durfee Science Department for years.
Outside the classroom, Don's greatest passion was the outdoors. He was an outdoorsman in every sense of the word. He spent summers chasing striped bass, and loved heading offshore in pursuit of tuna, sharks, and billfish. He had tremendous instincts when it came to figuring out how to trick 50 pound striped bass to eat when they weren’t hungry or how to get a wary flock of geese into shotgun range. He was equally adept at hunting pheasants, deer, and ducks all winter. He taught fishing and hunting as effectively as he taught high school biology. In his later years, he enjoyed dividing his time between Westport and Florida, where he continued to shoot clay pigeons while escaping the New England winter.
Don leaves behind his longtime partner, Cheryl O'Neil of Venice, Florida; her daughter, Jenny Mueller, and her husband Rob, of Brunswick, Maine; his sister, Martha Powell, of Venice, Florida; his son, Jason Powell, and his wife, Karen, of Westport; and his daughter, Jennifer Powell of Providence, Rhode Island. He was a proud grandfather to Elisabeth, Caroline, and Madeleine Powell. He was predeceased by his brother, Frank Powell.
Services will take place on Monday, November 16, at the Potter Funeral Home at 81 Reed Road in Westport, MA. Visiting hours are from 10am-11:30am, with service at 11:30am. Family and friends are invited to Bittersweet Farm Restaurant and Tavern at 438 Main Road in Westport immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's memory to area Aquaculture education programs https://everloved.com/life-of/donald-powell/