SALEM — Donald E. Finegold, 87, of Salem, passed away on Jan. 18, 2017, after a brief illness. Don was born in Peabody on May 18, 1929, the son of the late John and Rhoda Finegold.
Don grew up in Peabody, graduating from Peabody High School in 1946. He then attended Lowell Tech, now UMass-Lowell, graduating with a degree in leather engineering, the first person to receive such a degree. After a year at Oxford School of Business in Cambridge, Don entered the armed forces, serving in the Army and stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia during the Korean Conflict.
After his discharge from the Army, Don worked for Kirstein Leather Co. in Peabody, moving with his young family to Portland, Maine, in 1960 after the tannery relocated to Saco, Maine, to become Saco Tanning Corp. He managed the tannery until it closed in the 1980’s, moving back to the Peabody area to work for Salem Suede as well as a private consultant until he retired from the leather industry in the mid 1990’s.
Don then had the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an author, penning 10 murder-mysteries set in the Peabody area he knew so well. A lifelong skier, Don greatly enjoyed this pastime with his family and friends, even returning from his winter condo in Florida each year in his later years to ski a few days. He skied until he was 85. He also enjoyed tennis, and was an avid Boston sports fan. Don had a warm personality and a great sense of humor. He will be very much missed.
Don was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife, Marlene (Lanes) Finegold, and his sister, Betty Berkal. He is survived by his loving wife, Elaine (Zolot) Jaffe Finegold of Salem; his children, Dr. Jeffrey Finegold and his wife, Paula of Portland, Maine, Dr. Robert Finegold and his wife, Ruth, of Yarmouth, Maine, Ellen Winschel and her husband, Dan of Peabody, Robert Jaffe of Lynnfield, Ken Jaffe of Marblehead, Sharon Tripolsky and her husband, Howie and Jimmy Jaffe and his wife, Kathy, all of Swampscott, as well as 17 beloved grandchildren.
Service information: Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, at STANETSKY-HYMANSON Memorial Chapel, 10 Vinnin St., Salem MA at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Pride of Lynn Cemetery, Lake Shore Rd., Lynn MA. Relatives and friends are invited to gather following the interment at the Village at Vinnin Square Clubhouse, Loring Hills Ave., Salem. Additionally, on Sunday, Jan. 22, visiting hours and shiva will be held at the home of Jeff and Paula Finegold, 3 Woodfield Rd., Portland, Maine from 1-6 p.m.
The family wishes to thank all those who helped care for Don during his illness over the last few months. Donations in Don’s name can be made to Etz Chaim Synagogue, 267 Congress St. Portland, ME 04101 or Donald E. Finegold Memorial Scholarship Fund at Peabody High School c/o Salem Five, 450 Paradise Rd. Swampscott, MA 01907. For online guestbook, please visit Stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.