Orthopaedic Surgeon  /  USAF Captain  /  Sailor

Born in the throes of the Great Depression in Spangler, PA  on June 13,1934, Donald Jr. was the first of four sons of Louise Dillon Booth and Donald M. Booth.  Raised primarily by a dedicated and resourceful mother, he learned early the values of work and responsibility.  As they grew, Don and his brothers were competitive debaters; they all worked after school jobs, excelled at school and realized ambitions for college. Don's early jobs were at the Ebensburg movie theatre changing the marquee lights, in the A&P produce department, as a pipeline surveyor, and at the J. Covitch clothing store, where he acquired a taste for quality dressing which was a hallmark throughout his life.  After two years of college he sensed the need for new direction and joined the US Air Force where he trained to be an "officer and a gentleman".  As a Navigator, he served for 6 years active duty in a transport division which flew world-wide missions, rising to the rank of Captain.  He continued to fly in the USAF reserves for 8 years, supporting himself through under graduate credits at St Francis College, attending medical school and on through internship.

Don enrolled at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1962.  There he met his future wife, Tracy Valentine, a nursing student with whom he would enjoy 51 years of marriage.   Don pursued an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston.   A Fellowship in Hand Surgery in Oakland, CA. followed.  At the age of 40, with two children, Andrew and Eliza, he began the practice of Orthopedic Surgery in Portland, Maine.  In 1980 he joined with two partners to form Orthopaedic Associates, which was a unique practice of highly trained sub-specialists in a noncompetitive group that grew to 13 physicians over several years.  They built an office complex that combined clinical space, skilled physical therapy, and two outpatient operating rooms for comprehensive care which was an innovative concept at that time.  Don's practice specialized in surgery of the hand and upper extremity. He was dedicated to quality patient care, a mentor with staff, and careful collaborator with his partners.

Don and family enjoyed the natural wonders of Maine with skiing and camping trips and boating in Casco Bay.  For many years Don joined a band of canoe enthusiasts to travel the long rivers of Northern Maine.  In 1992, they bought a sailing vessel and began a voyage from Maine to the Caribbean, relying on Don's well honed navigational skills.  Tragically, Andrew, recently graduated from Georgetown University, was killed on the boat in an equipment failure.  Eliza completed Middlebury College and then joined her parents in the Caribbean to complete the voyage they had started aboard Ariel . They sailed from St Croix to Grenada and back to Maine. To do this, Don resigned from Orthopedic Associates, but returned to Orthopaedic practice in Maine until final retirement from medicine in 2007.  Donald and Tracy have spent winters in Stuart, Florida and enjoyed the summers in Yarmouth, Maine.  In the early 2000's they lived full time aboard a trawler, Eliza B with Captain Don and Tracy as First Mate for 2 1/2 years. They traveled the Eastern seaboard from Maine to Key West, enjoying two winters wandering the Bahamas. In retirement, Don pursued golf, the Red Sox, and jazz, and he continued his avocation of investing with the intensity of everything he did in life: study thoroughly, practice your skills, get the best information from experts, and refine your work based upon results. Immediately after a fine cruise through the Adriatic, he died on November 14, 2018 from events caused by a stroke four years prior.

Don is survived by Tracy, daughter Eliza who lives in Maryland with son in law William Johnson, and grandson Caleb; brothers Richard Booth (Lowell) of Willow Grove, PA and Frank Booth (Melissa) of Pottstown, PA and and many  nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents, brother David (Rosemary) and son Andrew.  A service of remembrance was held in Stuart, Florida in late November which noted his gentlemanly demeanor, ready wit, kindness, integrity and his devotion to family, friends and intellectual pursuits.  A service will be held in Portland, Maine on the last weekend of June, 2019.

Contributions in his memory can be directed to Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, 3121 Hotel Rd. Auburn, ME 04211 or locally to The House of Hope, 2529 SE Federal Highway, Stuart, FL  34994.

Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com