That's really unfortunate. Sorry to hear the sad news. And cancer 3 times. Wow.

I heard nothing but great things about his work. Certainly nice to
read a little about the man behind it.

I'm sure the Boston Bob rebuilds will live on for some time. Oddly
enough, I was thinking of his famous rebuilds just yesterday.

My condolences to all who knew him.

Neil.

On Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 2:02 PM, aatransaxle <daryl@aatransaxle.com> wrote:
> I am truly saddened and sorry to say that Boston Bob Donalds died last night
> at 2am.
> Those of you who just knew him from the list posts likely have only an
> inkling of the true Boston Bob.
> I was fortunate to meet and become friends with him over the last few
> years.
> He was a true individual that found his niche and pursued it with
> perfection and gusto, both professionally and personally, thru most of his
> life.
> He had beaten cancer twice, once as a young man and again a few years ago,
> and the 3rd time finally got him, despite the pure stubbornness and energy
> with which he fought.
> He never complained about his life or any of the things that would have
> beaten a lesser person down.
> We would talk about our businesses and customers and the issues that small
> business deal with.
> We would reminisce about the good old days when life was simpler.
> We would laugh and  complain about the things we had no control over,  just
> to have a laugh or two and make the day go a little smoother.
> He helped me thru my sons cancer with words of caring and wisdom and tried
> to downplay the bad with his typical cranky old fart sense of humor... Just
> what I needed at the time.
> I will make a toast tonight, from the bottle of 20 yr old Bourbon I have
> been saving, and shed some more tears to the good friend that has gone to a
> better place and will suffer no more.
>
> Below is from his lifelong friend Shaun ...
> Subject: Shine on You Crazy Diamond
>>
>> Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
>> For they've taken young James Adie for armed robbery
>> Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
>> Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
>> When she came to the hospital, there wasn't much left
>> He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
>> But he smiled to see her cry
>> And said I'll give you my Vincent to ride
>> --------------------------------------------
>>
>> I was very lucky to have spent most of yesterday with Bob Donald's
>> at his bedside in Mass General Hospital. For three hours it was
>> just the two of us, which was a gift. He was not conscious, but I
>> feel he knew I was there and when his daughter Julia touched his
>> hand later that night, he opened his eyes for one brief moment and
>> smiled. He died at AM. I was praying that things would go quickly
>> as he was not comfortable but now, is. Beyond his humor
>> and irreverence, not to mention his intolerance for authority
>> (gee, why were we friends?) I admired the way that he lived without
>> complaint. From financial challenges to a 24/7 special needs
>> daughter I never heard a "woe is me."
>>
>> Here's to Robert, I assume he and Charlie Valley are working up a
>> new routine.
>
>
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> (425) 788-4070
> aatransaxle.com
> 86 Syncro Westy..Happy the Camper
> Zetec in the trunk