Donald W. Rivette

LEEDS - Donald W. Rivette, 92 of Ludlow Ma. and formerly of Northampton passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Thursday December 11, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Leeds.

He was born in Philadelphia Pa. but moved to area as a young boy and attended local schools. His hobbies were building models and later building full size Hydroplanes that he raced on the Ct. River in So. Hadley. Don was a certified Scuba Diver who loved to dive at many of the Islands where he traveled to often. He was a prolific photographer in which he won several awards.

In 1958 Don married Dorothy Drew, after they both met when they worked at Hamilton Standard. Not long after that, Don enlisted in the Army Reserves. Don’s military career continued as he served in the US Marines and finally in the US Navy. During the Vietnam War, Don served as a Medic on board the USS Mauna Loa. His shipmates affectionately called him “Doc”. Don was honorably discharged from the service in 1970, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. After his military career, Don worked at Mercy and Cooley Dickinson Hospital as an Orderly and ER Tech. Later in life Don enjoyed being part of the Marine Corp League of Westfield, MA where he served in various roles. One of his proudest moments was when he was voted Veteran of the Year.

In the 1970’s, Don went to GCC where he earned a degree in Criminal Science. After college, Don became a Registry Officer with the Greenfield RMV then transferred to the Northampton Registry. Don worked in Northampton RMV for 20 years until the registry merged with Massachusetts State Police. After Don retired from the RMV, he owned and operated Fun-Tyme Pools and Spas in Granby, MA.

Don often worked many jobs to support his large family. Don served as a bodyguard, Forest Ranger at DAR State Forest and also at Newell’s Funeral Home in Northampton. Through the Red Cross and Northampton YMCA, Don was an instructor for First Aid, Disaster Training and adult swimming lessons and taught driving school. Don loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter and fishermen especially deep-sea fishing and spending time on his boat on the Connecticut river and off the Connecticut shore.

Don was predeceased by his first wife Dorothy in 2019 and his second wife Barbara in 2025. He was also predeceased by two sons, David in 1979 and Dana in 2019, He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth “Lesa” Oles and her husband Brian of Easthampton, two sons Daniel of Turner Falls and Donald of Florida. Don was also very proud of his two grandchildren, Ashley Blom of Galena Ca, and Andrew Blom of Easthampton.

Calling Hours will be Friday December 19, 2025 at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Road, Northampton from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. followed by a procession at 1:00 P.M. to the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam where Don will be interred with full Military honors. Friends are invited to attend. The family would like to thank Dr. James Jewel, Simone P. and the staff on the CLC Unit at the VA in Leeds for their caring and compassion during Don’s time there. In lieu of flowers the family would like donations given to the VA CLC Unit in Leeds.