Gloria, Mike & Steve, I’m so sorry for your loss.
What a gut punch to learn about Don’s passing, he was one of those people you thought would be around forever. He was an amazing person and I considered him a friend, I hope he felt the same about me and I wish I could be there to remember him and celebrate his life with you and your family.
I have a lot of great memories of him from my teen years. Steve was one of my best friends in high school and Don and Gloria welcomed me into their home like I was family. I spent a lot of time there and learned a lot from Don. He was the first person I knew who owned a personal computer…. I think it was an Apple II and I remember playing Castle Wolfenstein for hours. And he and Gloria were the first people I ever knew from Minnesota… being from small town Largo, it was like learning about a whole other country!
Don was always generous with his time and friendship to me and my family. I remember many great band trips where he chaperoned and looked out for everyone. Plus he put in a lot of hours working Bingo for the band boosters at CCC which allowed us to take all those great trips. He also helped my mother and grandmother on many occasions and was selfless with his time.
Lastly, he was a great role model to me as a father, a husband and a Catholic. He was always there for his family and strong in his faith which taught me a lot about how to live my life.
It’s been a lot of years since I have seen or spoke to Don, but I feel fortunate to have known him. The world is a better place for having had him in it.
Shawn Fitzpatrick
Williamsburg, VA
