Individual Details

Death

[Town of Littleton, 2002 Annual Town Report Is Dedicated to Donald B. Prouty]
webpage: http://www.littletonma.org/selectmen/Reports/Annual%20Report%202002.pdf

On April 14, 2002 the town mourned the death of Donald Prouty, genial and widely respected former Moderator and Town Counsel. Don was old Littleton to the core. On his retirement as Moderator in 1973, a Resolution was read at Town Meeting "recognizing his outstanding contribution for a quarter of a century to one of America's most cherished forms of representative government, the Town Meeting", and praising his "integrity, skill, fine sense of humor, and thorough knowledge of town affairs". He continued to serve as Town Counsel for many years. Don was 3 months old when he moved with his parents to their new home at 32 Foster Street. A graduate of Middlesex School, Harvard College and Harvard Law School he served in the US Navy for 4 years; first, in command of a sub-chaser in the invasions of Sicily and Salerno, then as navigator of a heavy cruiser. He attained the rank of commander. Returning to Littleton in 1946 he established a law practice in Boston and upheld the over-125-year tradition started by his great grandfather, and continued by his grandfather and father, of commuting daily on the B&M railroad. For nine years Don, his wife Carey, and their two daughters lived at the top of Wilderness Road, then moved to the Foster Street home in 1955, a lively place where 7 grandchildren and many relatives and friends congregated over the years. Besides his commitment to the town, Don was Treasurer of First Church Unitarian and a Trustee of Nashoba/Deaconess Hospital in Ayer.

Don was generous with his time, and with the beach, woodlands and amenities of his property. Generations of youngsters remember the hair-raising rides he offered in his yellow jeep at the annual Fair in Fay Park. The route up Wilderness Road to Long Lake cost 25 cents and was more exciting than any theme park. Halloween brought hordes of little kids who year after year anticipated being scared by the guttural sound of a fog horn as they reached the darkened front door.

Kind, friendly, witty, outgoing, and with a wonderful capacity to make others feel special, Don is remembered as a true gentlemen. His family and his town were privileged to have him in their lives. The Selectmen would like to thank Carey Prouty for providing the biography and picture of Don.

Burial

Prouty, Donald Brown, 1917-2002