BOURNE – Donald Emerson Bailey (Ret. LTC., ARNGUS/MAARNG), 77, died Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home in Bourne unexpectedly.  He was the husband of Sherri M. (Hudson) Bailey.

Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Eleanor Cummings (Booth) and Perry O. Bailey, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the Normandy invasion, landing on Utah beach.

Mr. Bailey served in the Mass. Army National Guard for 35 years.  During his service, he was a helicopter pilot and a military police officer and the Deputy Commander of Camp Edwards.  He retired in 2001 as Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Bailey was an active member of the Mashpee Congregational Church where he served as moderator.  He was a member of the Wareham/New Bedford Lodge of Elks and enjoyed golf at Little Harbor in Wareham and Holly Ridge in Sandwich.  He also enjoyed building birdhouses.

Survivors include, his wife and the love of his life, Sherri M. Bailey of Bourne; his daughter, Melissa Duphily and her husband Paul of Dartmouth; his grandchildren, Jack and Julia Duphily; his siblings, Robert Bailey of Dartmouth and Kathy Walter of Vero Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother, the late Bruce Bailey.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Monday, January 29, 2024 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Mashpee, 74 Algonquin Ave., Mashpee from 4 – 7 p.m.  His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 30^th at Mashpee Congregational Church, 259 Shore Drive, Mashpee at 11 a.m.  Interment with military honors will follow at Mass. National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Mashpee Congregational Church, P.O. Box 1796, Mashpee, MA 02649 or on-line at: www.mashpeecongregationalchurch.org/

For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com