Obituary: Donnel Robert Preston, former JP High student, dies

Donnel Robert Preston, former Jamaica Plain High School student, died on March 19.
Courtesy Photo

Donnel Robert Preston, 61, of Boston, died on March 19 following a brief illness.

Donnel was born in Chester, Pennsylvania to the late Harold Lopez and the late Orlean M. Preston. He was the middle son of three brothers, Harold, the elder, and Stephen, the youngest. His family moved to Boston when he was a toddler. Donnel attended the Boston Public Schools, including Benedict Fenwick, the Mary E. Curley, and Jamaica Plain High School. He graduated from the Austin-Cate Academy in Strafford, New Hampshire. There, Donnel excelled in academics and sports, becoming a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the track team, and winning a full scholarship to Boston State College.

Donnel was a familiar figure over the years to many in Jamaica Plain. He will be remembered by them and by his special friends, Beverly and Jonathan Cooper-Wiele of Jamaica Plain. We are grateful to have known Donnel and to have enjoyed his gentleness, his intellect, and his puckish sense of humor.  Should you wish to honor his memory, may we suggest a donation to Boston Health Care for the Homeless at bhchp.org.

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