Sunday, October 12, 2025
Don was a wonderful person and a real friend. Going back as far as second grade, Don, Billy Kiloh and I were photographed for perfect attendance that year for the newspaper. I wish I still had that picture. In 5th grade, Don made an anemometer for his science project in Mrs. Caggiano's class. When we reconnected years after high school, he was so pleased I remembered that. It actually worked! Since both our last names start with 'D," we had 5 years of homeroom together also. At school band concerts, it was clear how talented he was. We had several classes together in high school. Many years later, about 1995, one day while he was out at lunch in Newark about a block from PSE & G, I was working a block in the other direction, I crossed the street at a 90 degree angle and we literally bumped into each other on the sidewalk! After that, we would go out to dinner sometimes to chat and reminisce about the wonderful childhood we had. I remember he would bring his laptop sometimes and show me amazing fruit and vegetables he was growing in South America. Don explained I had never seen those kinds of fruit and vegetables in our supermarkets because they wouldn't survive the long trip in edible condition. He was modest and while he mentioned helping some children there, he did not tell me how much he was doing. His smile, his sense of humor, explaining the connection between math and music, his good will toward everyone, and his kindness are things I will always remember. He was so well-loved and will be missed by me and by many. Evelyn Donegan
