Donald F. Vieweg Jr., of Arlington. Don was born on June 23, 1957 in Conimicut, RI. He died at home in Arlington, Massachusetts on January 23, 2018, surrounded by the support of his beloved family and friends. He was the loving husband and partner of Dana Cooperson; the proud father of Jillian (Providence, RI), Dorothy, and Lilah, and surrogate father of Shoshana Zuckerman (Cambridge, MA); the beloved brother of Judy (Warwick, RI) and Shirley (deceased); and loyal son of Dorothy (Smith) and Donald Sr. (deceased).
Don was diagnosed with ALS in April 2015. He inspired his large, supportive community with his grace, generosity, humor, and fierce love as ALS robbed him of many of his passions: he was a lifelong runner who became unable to walk or breathe on his own; an “audio geek” music aficionado, musician, sound man, and renowned restorer of classic Fisher tube amps who lost his manual dexterity; and a ‘technical communicator’ (writer and trainer) for Alcatel-Lucent and other companies, amateur haiku master, and enthusiastic neighborhood gossip (“Mr. Picket Fence”) who used his right thumb to painstakingly type his thoughts and feelings. Don maintained his positive spirit and ability to inspire others. A long-time friend notes that Don “had the biggest shoulders in the world and was never too busy to talk or give advice and a hug.” His specialty was offering advice and support to other girls’ parents. He was a sensitive and philosophical thinker; a compassionate, encouraging, and generous friend; and a supportive and understanding spouse. He aspired to be the man you were always glad to see coming and sad to see leaving.
Please send donations in Don’s memory to Compassionate Care ALS (https://ccals.org/).
A memorial service was held at First Parish Unitarian Church in Arlington, MA. Arrangements under the care of DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass. Ave., Arlington. Visit devitofuneralhome.com for an online guestbook. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.” --- “Nature Boy”
