Donald Thomas Steede
Donald Steede, 86 of Yarmouth Port, MA, passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 19, 2026.
Born on November 14, 1939, Donald grew up in Waltham, MA, and attended St. Mary’s High School. He went on to earn his BS and master’s degrees from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He was employed as a sales representative for the majority of his career, selling chemicals used in the manufacture of consumer goods for Borden Chemical and Teknor Apex.
Donald was immensely proud of his Irish heritage and visited the country often with his sister, Arlene, her husband, Dick, and partner Maureen. In the Irish tradition, he was a storyteller. He loved to share tales of his childhood days in the Hardy Pond neighborhood of Waltham, of taking accordion lessons and mastering “Lady of Spain” at an early age (and of that same accordion returning to the stage at Northeastern University as a prop during one of his mandatory public speaking courses), and of the varied shenanigans which were part of his days as a Northeastern student and co-op intern. His sales jobs also provided ample fodder to add to the repertoire of humorous lore – possibly embellished – but always told with verve - as if his audience was hearing the story for the first time. Little did he know that after the first few words, everyone knew what story was coming and wondered to themselves how many times they had heard it before.
He spent his retirement days playing golf and always had multiple books in the process of being read. He enjoyed many a summer day on the water in his boat (which could have aptly been named the S.S. Minnow). He enjoyed 40 years living in his historic house - on the National Register of Historic Places, and one of the famed Three Sisters – along Route 6A in Yarmouth Port. He was always thrilled to provide a tour of the house to tourists/passersby, and it was often open for exploration during the Yarmouth Port annual Christmas Stroll.
Donald was a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren Niccole, Paul, John, Caitlin, Madison, Krishel, Linelle and Rachel. They all enjoyed spending time with “Pa” at his beloved 1740 house on Cape Cod and appreciated the cash and animal crackers that were distributed at most every visit as well as access to the full (albeit dusty) candy jars that lined the window shelves. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he adored each of them.
He is survived by his sister, Arlene Kennian of Walpole, MA, his partner Maureen Loynd of Yarmouth Por MA, his friend and ex-wife Mary Steede of Yarmouth Port, MA, his sister-in-law Teresa Brown and her husband Terry of Sandwich, MA, his brother-in-law Gregg McMullin of Sandwich, his daughters Dawn Orvis and her husband Paul, Heather Steede, Erin Vasington and her husband Paul, all of Yarmouth Port, MA and his son, Shannon Steede of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and loved ones.
A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Donald’s life. Donations in his memory may be made to Youth on Course https://youthoncourse.org/ or to a charity which holds special meaning to you.