Buster L. Donalson Sr.

Buster L. Donalson Sr. 74 of Hyannis died on Friday January 9, 2015 at Cape Cod Hospital.

Born in Appoka Florida, second son of Jessie and Elogy Donalson both deceased.

For many years he worked at Old Harbor Candle Company as a shift supervisor, after the company closed he went to work for Colonial Candles as a machinist before retiring in 2000. Papa enjoyed fishing and all sports especially baseball and softball. For many years he coached a family softball team and was a member of Zion Union Church. Papa enjoyed being surrounded by his family telling stories of old day’s truths and sometimes stretching the truth depending on how many laughs and how much attention he was getting from everyone.

Question – When did flannel become a year round fashion statement? Papa had flannel for every season, spring flannel, summer flannel, fall flannel and winter flannel there wasn’t a day you saw papa that he wasn’t wearing flannel. Papa had a love of music several of his favorites included Papa was a rolling stone, My Girl, and Al Greens Let’s stay together. His favorite gospels were Amazing Grace and Precious Lord. Papa enjoyed spending time outside. When he wasn’t working her spent his time working in his yard, gardening and fishing. Nothing would keep papa from fishing if he had to he would even take his kids along, anything to be able to cast his line. Papa also thought he was a mechanic, until one cold winter night when he was eluded by a car battery. From that night on he took his car to the shop like everyone else. Papa had several television shows he would never miss Sanford and Son, The Jefferson’s, Andy Griffith and Law and Order just to name a few. Once papa retired he became hooked on daytime television one of his favorites was Judge Hatchet. Papa got the thrill of a lifetime one day in 2009, when the telephone rang and Judge Hatchet was on the other end. His daughter Amanda was attending a Pro Bono luncheon with guest speakers Hank Aaron and Judge Hatchet. When Amanda mentioned to Judge Hatchet that her dad was her number one fan she insisted that Amanda get Buster on the phone.

Nothing was more important to papa than family; there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He might fuss about it, but in the end he would help out anyway that he could. Papa took on the roll of chauffer for the grandkids and any sick calls from schools for kids to be picked up or getting kids to appointments became his job. No matter what else came up in his day you could always be assured that at 1:20 he was going to be at the school to pick up the girls although school didn’t actually let out until 1:50.

He was the husband of Bernyce Donalson for 53 years and from this union they had six children, two daughters Dorothy of Hyannis, and Amanda of Alpharetta GA. Four sons Eric and wife Carolyn of Weslaco TX., Anthony and wife Lorianne, Buster Jr. and wife Diane, Christopher and former wife Erica all of Hyannis. Five granddaughters Amber, Jailynn, Kaylena, Mateya, Tori and husband Roy Stevens of Stuart Fla. Six grandsons; Elijah Stephen who died in 1997, son of Christopher and Erica, Christopher, Dominique, Darnell, Quentin, Emmanuel and four great grandchildren. Buster is also survived by two sisters Regina Ewing and Betty Russ and her husband Rufus all of Hyannis, as well as many nephews and nieces.