Obituary from Eaton Funeral Home:
Donald R. Stables, 82, formerly of Needham, died Oct. 3, 2013.
Son of Alexander Stables, of Aberdeen, Scotland and Edith (Bevan) Stables of Boston, Don was born Feb. 5, 1931 in Cambridge and was raised in Somerville. Don married Mary Lou Gato of Portland, Maine in 1962, and the two moved to Needham where they raised their five children.
A 20 year service veteran, he joined the Coast Guard in 1952 and served in the U.S. Navy prior to that. Don retired from the Coast Guard as a Chief Yeoman in 1970.
Following his military career, Don became a sales professional for a Needham oil company, Buckley & Scott Whetton, Inc. Then in 1988, he joined Arlex Oil of Lexington and worked with great pride and affection for this family owned oil company for 25 years.
His love of the sea led Don and Mary Lou to Cape Cod in 1987, where they lived by the history-filled villages and sandy-beaches they so adored. They spent their weekends antiquing, treasure hunting and exploring the back roads of New England. Don will always be known as a life-long and loyal Boston sports fan. Meeting and talking to people was always a favorite pastime for him.
In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his sister Leslie Angus and her husband Ralph of Buzzards Bay; his children Peggy McDonald of Medfield, Paula Borden and her husband John of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; Mary Jo Halloran and her husband Tim of Elk Grove, Calif.; Dianne Tortorici and her husband Walter of Medfield and Donald Stables and his love Pia, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; his six grandchildren; and his one great grandchild.
Funeral procession to the Honor Guard ceremony was held at the Needham Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Don can be made in his name to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund; 34 Washington St. suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
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