Earl B. "Butch" Dodge, Jr.

TOPSFIELD – Mr. Earl “Butch” B. Dodge, Jr., 81 of Topsfield, Massachusetts passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA on Sunday, April 26.

Born in Lawrence, MA on September 21, during the Great Hurricane of 1938, Earl was the son of the late Earl B. Dodge, Sr. and Elizabeth Carleton Dodge Alley. He was raised in Georgetown and graduated from Perley High School in 1957. 

Earl spent his career at GE in Lynn, Massachusetts where he started out as an apprentice, attending classes at Lowell Technological Institute and MIT. He graduated from the GE apprentice program and held numerous positions within the steam turbine and gear box manufacturing shop until he retired in 1994. During his retirement, Earl ran a successful dog walking and pet sitting business, which is how he met his wife, Donna. 

Earl, amongst many other hobbies, had a lifelong love of cars.  If you were lucky, he may have even given you a ride with the top down on a nice day.  Back when he was in his 20’s, Earl, with a few of his buddies from GE, would frequent the Thompson Speedway to take in the races. It was on a different trip with his GE buddies that Earl visited and sparked his fondness for Nova Scotia, about which he collected books, photos, and maps. Earl also loved to spend time at the Dodge family camp, located in Upper Dam near Rangeley, ME. He would spend his time fly fishing and boating on Lake Richardson.  Earl also took great pride in his yard and thoroughly enjoyed working on various landscaping projects, especially building stone walls. He also enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren. Earl was a great storyteller, and he loved to talk about the old days. He boasted a dry wit, and even his nurses and caretakers appreciated his self-deprecating humor.  Those who knew him also know that he never, ever said no to a sugary treat. Most recently, Earl enjoyed spending his Sundays, taking walks with his wife, Donna, along with their Newfies, at Bradley Palmer.

Earl is survived by his wife, Donna Tagg Dodge of Topsfield, and sons, Earl B. Dodge III and partner Angela Zaia, and Kevin G. Dodge and wife Megan, as well as their mother, Donna S. Dodge, all of Georgetown. He leaves behind three stepdaughters: Amber, Stephanie, and Danielle and her husband Todd Movsessian. He was a loving grandfather to Josilyn, Benjamin, Cameron, and Lydia. Earl is also survived by his brothers Carleton Dodge and wife Hilde, and Robert Dodge.  He also leaves behind four nieces and a nephew.

ARRANGEMENTS: Earl’s graveside service was privately held. Assisting the family with the arrangements was the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rte. 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 222 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Il 60601. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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