Well-known Nashua native Donald C. Davidson, 82, former Nashua Mayor, airline Captain and businessman, passed away peacefully Friday morning, May 28, 2021 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack.
Born in Nashua on April 15, 1939, he was a son of the late Leon N. and Irene A. (Shea) Davidson. Don was educated in local schools and graduated from Nashua High School Class of 1956. His first love was aviation and he soloed at Nashua Airport in 1955 at the age of 16. An Air Force veteran, Mr. Davidson was a graduate of the USAF Aviation Cadets program at Reese AFB, Texas. He was commissioned as an Air Force pilot in 1960 where he flew transports around the world including Vietnam.
Don began his 32 year-career as a pilot with the former Eastern Airlines in 1963. He became a Captain in 1971 and later was the Vice President of Flight Operations. After Eastern, he was a Captain at USAfrica Airways until his retirement from aviation in 1995.
Don was very active in Nashua politics throughout the years as Ward 8 Alderman, Alderman-at-Large, acting Mayor of Nashua in 1977 and elected Mayor from 1996 -2000. During his administration in 1997, Nashua was voted as the “Best Place To Live” by Money Magazine for the second time. He later also served as a Nashua Fire Commissioner and was a member of the Nashua Airport Authority.
Active in the business community, Don founded Davidson Travel Service, Davidson Flight Service, The Captain’s Corner and several other small businesses. He was also a member of the NH Civil Air Patrol for many years and was Wing Commander from 2006 -2010.
In his leisure time, Don loved flying – especially his P51 Mustang “Double Trouble II”, working on his antique cars, playing golf and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He was a member of the Disney Vacation Club and enjoyed spending time with his family at Disney World in Florida. He was a longtime member of the Nashua Country Club and had made his home at The Villages in Florida for the past year before returning to Nashua.
Members of his family include his wife, Pauline “Chip” (Denault) Davidson, whom he married on November 17, 1962 and shared over 58 years together; his three children, Donald C. Davidson Jr. and his fiancée MeLinda, Donna C. Clarkson and her husband Chris, and Daniel C. Davidson and his wife Susan; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Richard L. “Dick” Davidson and his wife Rita, and William N. “Bill” Davidson and his late wife Shirley, all of Florida; also several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Louis de Gonzague Church, 50 West Hollis Street, Nashua, Thursday, June 3rd at 11 a.m. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 o’clock. Interment will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
