Daniel Martin Donakowski, age 77, went home to be with the LORD while in Lakeland, FL surrounded by his loving family. Dan was born November 8th, 1946 in Alpena, MI to the late Phillip & Myrtle (Minton) Donakowski. He graduated from Catholic Central in 1964 and married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann Mischley on February 3rd, 1968. Daniel’s career started in 1965 at Stone Port and he advanced into the electrical department and retired after 30 years of service in 1995.
Daniel & Mary Ann retired to their Drummond Island home in the summers and enjoyed RV traveling & living for the winters. They eventually had a home in Holiday,Florida for the winters while still enjoying their Drummond Island lake home during the summers. Dan loved having family vacations on Drummond with many memories for his family to cherish. “PaPa” was most definitely the leader, captain, and director of all the activities (boating, tubing, fishing, 4-wheeling, swimming, campfires, s’mores, etc.) that his family was so fortunate to be able to enjoy together.
Daniel was also an avid outdoorsmen and hunter most all of his life but his zeal for hunting diminished upon losing his “hunting partner” (Clarence Hanna) on November 10th, 2005, Dan was a kind, loving, and generous man who will be missed by all who knew him. He was a “handy-man at heart” and had an “endless energy” that was forever finding ways to help his family, friends & neighbors in as many ways as possible.
Daniel is lovingly remembered by his wife Mary Ann, daughters Tina (Forrest), Wendy (Fessler), son-inlaws (John, Michael), grandchildren (Kyle, Josh, Justin, Andrea, Noah), great-grandchildren (Harper, Taylor, Faith, Daniel). As well as his sister (Patricia Hanna), brothers (Richard & Sherry, Robert & Sue). He will surely be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family as well.
Daniel was preceded in death by his parents (Phillip & Myrtle), brothers (Jerry, Phillip), nephews (Jimmy, Randy) as well as Mary Ann’s parents (Victor & Bety Mischley), sister/brother in-laws (Deborah, Barbara, Doug, Lenny).
A Celebration of Life will be planned for this summer on Drummond Island, MI at the Lighthouse Christian Church.