Donald Gouveia, age 74, of Rochester, NH, died at home on Thursday, January 8, 2026, with his wife Gail at his side. Born in Lowell, MA, on June 6, 1951, he was the son of the late Seraphin Anthony Gouveia and the late Theresa (Mello)Gouveia of Merrimac, MA. Donald spent most of his adult life in construction work, culminating in building his family home in Epping, NH almost single-handedly, including the plumbing, heating, and electrical work. Even after retirement, he continued to help with immediate and extended family building projects, such as decks, sheds, and general repairs.

 He was proud to have attended the original Woodstock festival in 1969 while a student at UMass-Amherst, and in 2019 he and his wife traveled to the site for the fiftieth anniversary of the event. His 50th Pentucket High School reunion in 2019 led to a renewed friendship with high school classmates who shared his love of classic rock and folk music, and to Friday night band practices which gave him so much pleasure. A lifelong dream was achieved in the late summer of 2023 when he and seven family members traveled to São Miguel, the Portuguese island home of his maternal grandmother, and to mainland Portugal and the island of Terceira. He was appreciated by friends and family alike for his storytelling abilities. His regular interests included art, gardening, beekeeping, winemaking, all of the Major League Boston sports teams, spending time with family and friends, and hosting cookouts. 

Donald leaves behind his wife of fifty-five years, Gail (Sande) Gouveia of Rochester, NH; his children Matt Gouveia and daughter-in-law Maria Paula Quintana of Miami, FL, his daughter Meredith Thompson and son-in-law Michael of Merrimac, MA, and son Adam Gouveia of Dover, NH; his grandchildren Sebastian Gouveia of NYC, and granddaughter Lila of Merrimac, MA. He also leaves behind his brother Russell Gouveia and sister-in-law Elaine Holden of Peterborough, NH, and niece Adrianna Holden-Gouveia and husband Colin of Haverhill, MA; his sister Allison Gouveia of Lee, NH; his brother-in-law Gary Sande and his wife Karen of Cornelius, NC; his sister-in-law Susan Benoit and her husband Joseph of Nashua, NH; and his sister-in-law Melanie Gouveia of Millbury, MA and his two nephews, Ethan and Michael Gouveia. Last but not least, he is survived by his one hundred-year-old mother-in-law, Caroline (Girroir) Sande of Amesbury, MA. He was predeceased by his brother Dean Gouveia.

A graveside gathering will be held in the late spring at Locust Grove Cemetery in Merrimac, MA, with the date to be announced soon. Donations in Donald's name may be made to Voices of Hope-Boston, a performing arts organization that donates all proceeds from ticket sales to cancer research; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which tried to prolong his life as long as was possible; or to Cornerstone Hospice of Rochester, NH, which enabled Donald to spend his last days at home.