TURNERS FALLS - Don A. MacPhail, 63, of Miller's Falls Road, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at home.

He was born in Lowell on March 3, 1948, the son of Basil and Faith (Wallace) MacPhail. He graduated from Chelmsford High School and received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Westfield State College and his master's degree in public administration from the University of Massachusetts. He had been a resident of Turners Falls for over 25 years.

Don was an engineer for Amtrak for many years, until 2010. Previously, he was dean of students at Turner's Falls High School, and was a patrolman for the Montague Police Department.

He served in the US Army with the 5th and 10th Special Forces Group in Vietnam, and attained the rank of staff sergeant. Don was a prisoner of war for over four years in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Cross of Gallantry with palm. Don was an avid reader, history buff, sports fan and gun collector.

Besides his mother, of Chelmsford; he leaves his wife, the former Frances C. O'Rourke; a son, Ian MacPhail at home; three daughters, Lisa Vets of Manchester, N.H., Laura MacPhail of Lakeland, Fla., and Dawn MacPhail of Deerfield, N.H.; a brother, James MacPhail of Lothian, Md.; seven grandchildren and two nieces.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Barbara Downing, in 2009 and by a brother, Scott MacPhail.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 11 a.m., at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Department of Veterans Services, 190 Miller's Falls Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376.

Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.