Donald Lee Facey

Donald Lee “Don” Facey, 87, of Wilbraham, formerly of Longmeadow, Springfield and Eastham, passed peacefully at his home early Thursday morning, June 3rd, with his loving family at his side.  Born and educated in Springfield, the son of the late Albert J. Facey and Lulu (Simpson) Facey Cullen, he graduated in Technical High School’s Class of 1951. Don attended American International College before starting a lifelong career in computer programming and software design, first at Springfield Fire & Marine, then at the Pentagon for three years while serving in the United States Army. Returning to civilian life after his honorable discharge in 1958, he spent the next 35 years in computer programming, employed with Monarch Life Insurance Company as a programmer, system analyst and director of health & accident systems; Computer Assistance of Hartford as consultant and partner; and the Hartford Board of Education as manager of software development, retiring in 1994. Upon his father’s retirement, Don also took over his father’s business, Facey Jewelers, relocating the store from the X in Springfield to Heritage Plaza in East Longmeadow until closing the store in 1985 after more than 35 years in business. He also owned and operated a security business, Compro Alarm Company for a number of years. Always an active member of the communities in which he lived and the industries in which he worked, he was a Past President of the Data Processing Management Association and the Association of Systems Managers, Vice Chairman of the Pioneer Valley Boy Scouts of America, Director & Treasurer of the Springfield Credit Union, Treasurer of Monarch Credit Union, Charter Member, Governor and Treasurer of Elmcrest Country Club, 25 year elected member of the Longmeadow Planning Board, a 60 year member of the Indian Orchard/Ludlow Brigham Lodge of Masons AF&AM, and a member of the Melha Shriners Directors Staff Unit. He was also a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Sons of the American Revolution, Longmeadow Republican Town Committee, Southeastern Valley of Scottish Rite, Wilbraham Country Club, Eastham Planning Board, Masona Chapter of the Eastern Star, Nauset Newcomers, Orleans Yacht Club, New England Guild of American Gem Society, Retail Jewelers of America and Certified Diamond Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America. Don served as a former Trustee and Deacon of First Church of Longmeadow, Chairman of the Trustees of Federated Church of Orleans, MA, former member of the Brewster Baptist Church, Brewster, MA and current member of the Federated Community Church of Hampden. Don is survived by his wife and best friend of 66 years, Shirley M. (Watson) Facey of Wilbraham; two loving sons, Scott E. Facey (Carol) of Springfield, and Dale T. Facey (Amy) of Plano, TX; three cherished grandchildren, Melissa, Quinlan and Sean Facey; his brother-in-law, Frank Watson (Phyllis) of Hampden; two loving nieces, Heather Webb (Gregory) of Gaithersburg, MD, and Bonnie Watson of Hampden; and great-nephews, Grady and Garrett Webb. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, June 15th from 10:00 – 11:15 AM at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen St., in Springfield. Officers and members of Brigham Lodge AF&AM will conduct a Masonic Service beginning at 11:15 AM. A funeral home service will follow beginning at 11:30 AM with burial and Military Honors to conclude at 2:00 PM at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s name may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children – Springfield, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or Spectrum Hospice Care, 770 Converse St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. For more information on Don’s life, please visit www.byronkeenan.com