Donald R. Philbin ’53 died on June 28, 2026, in Methuen, Massachusetts

(The following was provided by the Lowell Sun on July 5, 2026:)

Donald R. Philbin ’53

Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army (retired) Donald R. Philbin died on June 28, 2026. Donald was born on May 6, 1933, to the late Philip M. Philbin and the late Ruth (Mower) Philbin in Lowell, MA. He was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn (Wittrock) Philbin, and his son-in-law, Charles Jessico III. He is survived by his daughters, Kimberley Philbin and Lori (Philbin) Jessico, as well as granddaughter, Liliana Jessico, and grandson, Charles Jessico IV. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Josephine Philbin, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Dr. Philip H. Philbin and Attorney Richard M. Philbin, as well as sisters Ruth (Philbin) Boisseau, Patricia (Philbin) Howard, Kathryn (Philbin) Stoklosa and Dorothea (Philbin) Burke.

Don was a graduate of Lowell High School (1951), Bowdoin College (1955), and the United States Army Command and General Staff College (1972).

Don entered active duty in August 1957. He retired after twenty-six years of active duty service in October 1983. Upon retirement, he joined the Raytheon Corporation, where he served in the Patriot Missile Program office until his second retirement in May 1995.

During his twenty-six years of active duty as a commissioned officer, Don was awarded the Army Commendation Medal on three occasions for exceptional performance of duties, three Meritorious Service medals for superior execution of assigned duties, two Bronze Stars for outstanding service in connection with operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam and a Joint Service Commendation Medal for exceptional achievements while serving on a special task force reporting directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.