Donald R. Dwight

Donald R. Dwight, a distinguished public servant, newspaper executive, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, passed away peacefully on May 4th at the age of 94. Born on March 26, 1931, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Dwight’s life was marked by dedicated service to his country, state, and the field of journalism.

After graduating from Deerfield Academy in 1949, Dwight attended Princeton University, earning his A.B. in 1953. He then served two years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by six years of reserve service, separating in 1961 at the rank of captain.

After his military service, Don joined his family’s newspaper, the Holyoke (MA) Transcript-Telegram, where he became assistant to the publisher in 1957. His commitment to journalism extended beyond his family’s paper; he served as a director of the New England Daily Newspaper Association and chairman of the Massachusetts Newspaper Information Service.

In public service, he was appointed Associate Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works from 1963 to 1966, focusing on administration and fiscal affairs. In 1969, Governor Francis Sargent appointed him as Commissioner of Administration and Finance. In 1971, Dwight was elected as the 64th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, working alongside Governor Sargent, an office he held until 1975.

After his tenure in public office, Dwight joined the Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company as President and Publisher. Under his leadership, he succeeded in combining the two newspapers while modernizing all aspects of production.

During his time in Minneapolis, Don was a director of the Pillsbury Company and Cowles Media Company. He was also the chairman of the Guthrie Theater Board and a director of Twin Cities Public Television.

In 1988, he co-founded the public relations firm Dwight Partners, Inc. in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was also the chairman of Newspapers of New England, a family company that published the Concord Monitor, Holyoke Transcript-Telegram, Valley News, Greenfield Recorder, and the Monadnock Ledger.

In 1994, Don moved to Lyme, New Hampshire, where he spent many happy hours with his young family. He also lived part-time on Beacon Hill in Boston, where he renewed his love for Boston sports, rarely missing a game watching the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

He spent the last 16 years of his life in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, where the old Yankee embraced the southern lifestyle, making many new friendships while courageously learning to play golf in his eighties.

Don is survived by Nancy Sinnott Dwight, his loving wife of 42 years; his children Christopher Dwight (Emily), Helen Dwight, Dory Clothier (Bruce), Laura Dwight (Tom Brown), Eleanor, Arthur (Raquel Bono), and Stuart Dwight (Doris). He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Eleanor Brown, Mai Brown, Taylor Bono, Grace Dwight, Alyssa Dwight, Reilly Dwight, Aaron Dwight, Kyle Dwight, Adam Dwight, John “Jack” Dwight, and Elizabeth “Lilly” Dwight.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 4th, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don’s honor may be made to: Deerfield Academy: 7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 306, Deerfield, MA 01342. Deerfield.edu/give (In memory of Donald R. Dwight, Class of '49.) or Report for America: https://www.reportforamerica.org/

Deerfield Academy
PO Box 306, Deerfield MA 01342
Web: http://Deerfield.edu/give

Report for America
Web: https://www.reportforamerica.org/