Donald Hamilton Sayce

Donald Hamilton Sayce, ret Lt. Colonel USMC, died peacefully at home on May 14, 2015 in Hampstead, NC at the age of 85. He was born on December 22, 1929 in West Roxbury, MA to the late George and Sylvia Sayce. During his childhood in Boston, he worked as a Bat Boy for the Boston Red Sox, made extra pocket money by playing the trumpet and was a standout pitcher on his high school baseball team. Donald is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Damaris Bray Sayce, of Hampstead, NC, six children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His children include Steven Sayce of Los Angeles, CA; Donna Sayce Troy and son-in-law Gino Troy of Austin, TX; John Sayce and daughter-in-law Clare Sayce of Austin, TX; Kurt Sayce and daughter-in-law Vickie Sayce of Fairfax, VA; Karl Sayce and daughter-in-law Cindy Sayce of Pinehurst, NC and Debbie Sayce Elliott and son-in-law John Elliott of Kure Beach, NC. His grandchildren include Alan Sayce of Los Angeles, CA; Jennifer Troy Newman, Gino Troy III and Cindy Troy of Austin, TX; Sean Sayce of Austin Texas; Whitney Sayce and Spencer Sayce of Washington, DC; and Katie Sayce and Sarah Sayce of Pinehurst, NC. His great grandchildren include Liam Newman and Ryan Newman of Austin, TX. Donald enjoyed a 20-year career in the United States Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1977 as a Lt. Colonel. Following his military career, he earned an Education Specialist degree from East Carolina University and enjoyed a 20-year career as a principal at Belhaven High School in Belhaven, NC and Snowden Elementary in Aurora, NC. He graduated from Villanova University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Throughout his military career, Donald and his family lived in Camp Lejeune, NC; Edgewater Park, NJ; College Park, MD; Monterey, CA; Greenville, NC and Washington, NC. Upon retirement, Don and Damaris moved to Hampstead, NC where they enjoyed a happy life together that included many trips throughout the United State and Europe. They were long-time members of All Saints Catholic Church of Hampstead and Don was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and founding member of the All Saints chapter. His six children remember him as a man who never lost his Boston accent or military love of discipline and order, but was always ready with a goofy joke or a proud story of his children's accomplishments. A wake will be held at Andrews Mortuary in Hampstead on Thursday, May 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. that evening, the Knights of Columbus of All Saints Catholic Church will host a recitation of the rosary. A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead, with the interment to follow at Sea Lawn Cemetery in Hampstead. Father Terry Collins will officiate the mass. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Edmundite Food Kitchen at 1428 Broad Street, Selma, Alabama 36701. The family would like to thank Kim Judge of Pender Adult Services for her care and dedication, and the entire staff at Sawmill Grill in Hampstead for their daily cheer and friendship. Condolences can be sent to www.andrewsmortuary.com