GLOUCESTER: Capt. Donald W. Cuddyer, 68, died Wednesday morning, October 10, 2012, following a brief battle with cancer.
Born in Boston on April 24, 1944, he was the son of the late Donald F. and Evelyn B. (Biggins) Cuddyer. He was a graduate of the St. Ann High School class of 1963.
A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, he served in Vietnam in the 551st Security Police Squadron and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sargeant in July of 1968. He was also a former member of the Amvets Post #32 of Gloucester.
Having worked as a deckhand out of Rockport since the age of fourteen, he followed his dream of working on the water. Following his discharge, he was employed as a mate on many charter boats, while attending school to earn his Captain’s license. He then built two boats, one of which he owned and operated out of New London, Connecticut for many years.
More recently, he was employed at numerous power plants in North and South Carolina for Duke Energy.
Don’s outgoing personality, sense of humor and keen wit will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his brother, Robert, husband of Katherine (Conti) Cuddyer; two sisters, Bonnie Cuddyer and Patricia, wife of George Knispel; two nieces, Kelly and Kaitlin Cuddyer and two nephews, Woody and Riley Knispel.
His funeral service will be held on Monday morning in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11:30 a.m. Visititation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.