Donald Aikman

Donald Aikman, 90, of Chatham and formerly Andover, Massachusetts, passed away in his home surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He was a loving family man, dear friend and advisor, and the epitome of a gentleman – an endearing trait he passed on to his sons and grandsons. Until his recent metastatic melanoma diagnosis, Don was active in town groups including 23 years on the Chatham Historical Commission. He recently renewed his CHC term because he felt like “90-going-on-70.”

He was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 3, 1933, to Robert and Elsie (Degenhardt) Aikman. Don graduated from Trinity-Pawling School and the University of Vermont (B.S. 1956, member of Sigma Nu fraternity), and after completing ROTC training, he became a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. Having served 6 months active duty and 7½ years active reserve requirement, he attained the rank of Captain – as did his grandfather during World War I.

Don had a long career in sales management, working for the New England Provision Company (NEPCO), the Walter Baker Chocolate Company, and the New York based D.H. Litter Company. During his 26 years at D.H. Litter, he became New England District Manager and served terms with the New England division of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the New England Coatings Association, and the National Coatings Association. When opportunity knocked in the 1980s, he purchased a specialty paint and coatings manufacturing company in Worcester. As owner of Alvin Products, his passion was developing trusted business relationships throughout the country and as far away as India where he exported protective coatings. He was brilliant with product formulations, gifted in sales and marketing, and an honest, kind, nurturing boss. Don frequently commented that his most gratifying business years were working alongside his children, growing the business together.

His fondest early memories were of summer retreats to his family’s Rolling Hills Farm in Clinton Hollow, New York, and vacations with extended family at the Hawes House in Chatham, a bed and breakfast the Aikmans stayed at beginning in 1938. His flavorful summer stories included working during college breaks at the idyllic Mattaquasson Hotel on Pleasant Bay. In the summer of 1959, he met his wife Debbie at the Hawes House (now private residences at the corner of Main and Water Street). He was an inn guest and she was a waitress. They married in 1962 and became part-time Chatham residents in the 1970s, traveling to the Cape on weekends and school vacations with their 4 children (and their friends and pets). He taught his children (and many others) how to sail, handle a motorboat and navigate Chatham’s waterways, waterski, boogie board, shellfish, and fish – most spectacularly reeling in stripers in the rips off Monomoy Island. He also shared his skill as a chef with everyone in his life – Don’s baked stuffed striped bass dinners were incomparable.

Throughout his life, Don supported many charitable causes and community enhancement projects. In his Andover days, he was a Boy Scout leader and served as president of Covenant Housing, a nonprofit that rehabilitated burned-out brick buildings in Lawrence, transforming them into affordable residences. After moving year-round to Chatham’s Old Village in 1999, Don became involved in the town, serving on the Chatham Historical Commission, the Community Preservation Committee, the Chatham Railroad Museum Group, and the Tercentennial Committee. He was also a longtime member of the Old Village Association, the Chatham Men’s Club, and the ‘Circulating Library’ bridge group, making friends throughout the town.

Don was predeceased by his brother, Robert A. Aikman, Jr., and his son and former business partner, Dennis Aikman, who passed away on May 25th from pancreatic cancer. Both Don and Dennis selflessly participated in clinical research to help future cancer patients. Don is survived by his wife of 62 years, Deborah (Read) Aikman; children Douglas Aikman (and Diane and their children Ryan and Kyle) of Marblehead, Dawn Dinnan (and Terrence and their children Andrew and Carly) of Dennis, Diane Nicholson (and David and their children Connor and Sawyer) of Harwich, daughter-in-law Katherine Aikman (and children Jennifer, Taylor, and Noa) of Marblehead and Chatham, and Gretta McGill of Maryland, Don and Debbie’s foster daughter who became a close family friend; sister Joan Eustis (and Gordon) of Lopez Island, Washington; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Grandpa “Buddy” was like a father and grandfather to extended family and friends who cherished their Chatham traditions together: backyard cookouts and lobster bakes, boat-and-beach picnics at Half Circle and North Beach, and the 4th of July parade and whiffle ball extravaganza on School Street.

A service in celebration of his life will be held at the First Congregational Church, Chatham, on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to either the Chatham Historical Society [chathamhistoricalsociety.org], or the Massachusetts General Hospital Melanoma Research Fund [giving.massgeneral.org/donate/cancer-center or Mass General Cancer Center, MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Please note “in memory of Donald Aikman” and reference Dr. Russell W. Jenkins’ research fund 232844.]