Don, you are in a good place. You will be missed by many, for you never met a stranger. I loved you and your famous memory. You never missed wishing me a happy birthday. And you never worked on your birthday. We had many laughs together. If you see my brother Jim, give him a hug from me.

I will see you again someday. That gives me great comfort. Diane and Doreen my thoughts are with you both. You will always be my sisters.
Carol

Don was a helpful friend. I remember meeting him in 2016. I would soon be struggling with 2 stage 4 cancers and needed to quit smoking. He said something simple yet so profound. Don’t pick up the 1st one and I wouldn’t need a whole pack! WOW success. We supported each other in our medical journeys. I will miss Don down here but know I will be seeing him in Heaven. Your in the best place brother now rest in peace.

I’m glad to have been a friend for many years Don. You are missed by those of us who are glad we got to see your courage and honesty on many things. RIP. Sometimes I soften grief by thinking we escape some parts of “civilization” too. You know what I mean after having had time living on this beautiful earth. Your friend Rich Grossman

Don was part of my extended family and a friend for 50 plus years. I was just a kid when we met, went to Phillies games at the Vet. Rode dirt bikes in the 70’s, played softball in the 80’s & 90’s on too many teams to count. He let me ride his Sportster reluctantly after one softball game after I had asked him, but knowing me forever said sure. He got me into Harley Davidson motorcycles, after I said that I would never own a street bike. We made our annual pilgrimage ride to York, Pa. every September to the HD open house tour of the factory and countless weekend rides to no where in particular to ride a couple hundred miles and grab a bite to eat. Coached little league with him too. Always a good time with Donny whatever we were doing. I will miss you, your jokes, sayings and baseball facts which were impressive. I was always impressed with his work with the Big Brothers organization, taking the time to show a kid something that they most likely would have never been exposed unless Don took the time to enter their lives. Catch you on the other side my friend. Short time here, long time there.
Rest in peace,
Marco (as he always called me)

Don was a good guy. Always enjoyed seeing him and having a few laughs. May he rest in peace.

Donnie,

Please let me start by saying that we were saddened to hear of your passing.

I played ball with you in 1992 on Sunday Nights. Lost touch with you and then re-connected in 1997 when I decided to give umpiring a try. We bonded pretty quickly from there, mainly because you & I had/have Harleys. You also GAVE me your 3-digit tag when you left for the Sunshine State.

We rode to Milwaukee together in 1998 for Harley’s 95th Anniversary. We stopped to your cousin, to see Founders’ Day in Akron, to meeting more family near Lansing and then to enjoy Milwaukee. I remember our struggling to get through Chicago both times. We went to Sturgis in 2004, again with the same “side trips”. I’ll never forget taking South Dakota at 95 mph past grassland prairie suddenly opening up into The Badlands. We’d done countless day trips together, including Run to the Wall in D.C. and quite a few local trips. I felt like I needed a ride after my hernia surgery. You even took me for a ride on your trike-even after you’d said many times that you don’t take guys for rides.

We canoed with Susan down the White Clay Creek, starting in what used to be her back yard. We were in Citizens’ Bank Park to see the Phillies win the division in 2008. We had tickets to game 7 of the 2003 World Series in New York. Unfortunately, the Marlins won that series in 6 games. Still, it was the only World Series ticket I’ll ever hold.

Donnie, I have no idea how often you’d helped with home projects-usually after I was over my head. You’d fight with my wanting to give you even a few bucks for your time. We’d solved many problems together. Your love for History and Baseball were infectious. As were your stories and your jokes. Your advice was also solid! And many times we played poker together!

Obviously I am grateful for everything you shared with me/us. The best example of your kindness, generosity and Love was when I’d asked you to be my Best Man. You’d accepted without hesitation-even after I told you that our nuptials would be in MI. You were unemployed and gas was $4.50/gallon, even after I gave you an out you again accepted immediately. We’ll NEVER forget that.

You, My Friend, were a class act in every important way. You were one of the kindest, most caring people I’d ever known. I am eternally grateful for your friendship. Godspeed, Brother, and if I’m worthy, I’ll see you on the other side.

Love & Peace Always, Shawn

Donnie Christian,
I will never forget you being best man at Shawn’s and my wedding and many other times you were present in our lives. You always had a unique way of looking at things and expressing yourself with frankness and sincerity. You helped us with thankless home projects like that awful garage roofing, made us laugh at card games, and showed up like a true friend when needed. I remember us riding home from the Run to the Wall in the night time with deer eyes glowing everywhere in the fields. I will always think of you out there trying to make a deal with someone or telling a joke or a story. I hope you are at peace in the hereafter and riding that blue Harley, with the wind at your back, on the great road in the sky!

Love,
Sharon