Donald E. Spittle Jr. Obituary
Donald (Donnie) E. Spittle Jr. passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025. Donnie was born in Gloucester's Addison Gilbert Hospital on September 16, 1945.
Donnie grew up in Rockport, MA, where in high school he picked up a love of running joining the Rockport High Cross Country Team, and then at age 18 running the Boston Marathon. He would go on throughout his life to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC, the NY City Marathon, Montreal Marathon, and the Paris Marathon. Donnie entered the United States Air Force in 1966 where he trained as a radar technician rising to the rank of SGT E-4. He was stationed in Keesler AFB Biloxi, MS, Antigo AFB, Antigo WI, where he met his future wife, Betty, Houma AFB, Houma, LA, and North Truro AFB, North Truro, MA, serving until 1972.
After leaving the Air Force, Donnie went on to further his education at Merrimac College, obtaining an Associate's Degree in Engineering. Donnie was employed as an Electronic Technician at Varian in Gloucester, Varian in Beverly, and Sylvania in Danvers.
In 1976 Donnie noticed that the Around Cape Ann Road Race, which was started in 1933, was not being run regularly, so he set out to change that and became the Race Director, successfully growing and managing the race, which became a Labor Day staple for runners and spectators from all over. Donnie handed over this now well-organized Road Race to the YMCA in 1986. During the same years, 1976-1986, Donnie started and served as President of the Wingaersheek Runners Club. During this time, one of the club members, playwright, Israel Horowitz, had a play on Broadway in NY that was based on Cape Ann and the Wingaersheek Runners Club.
In 1986, Donnie & Betty decided they wanted a change of pace, moved to NH, and bought the Yankee Rebel General Store in Wolfboro, NH. After running and managing the store and having fun doing so, they decided the South was calling them, and their growing family, so they moved to Kill Devil Hills, NC. Donnie was employed in his later years before retirement managing retail stores and even doing a stint as a limo driver.
Donnie was predeceased by his mother Shirley, (Daggett) Bouchie, stepfather Gus Bouchie, father Donald Sr., stepson Willam (Woody) Anderson, and brother Jay Spittle. Donnie is survived by his daughter Lori Spittle, son Tim Spittle, son Devin Spittle, granddaughter Rosalyn, grandson Matthew, 3 great grandchildren, brother Chris Spittle, sister Annette Desmond, brother Mike Boucher, and ex-wife Betty George.
A private Military graveside service will be held at Beech Grove Cemetery in Rockport, MA.
