Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 22, 1946, he was the youngest son of Esther (Schwartz) Goldner.
Donny joined the United States Marine Corp when he was 17 years old. He was severely wounded while on duty in Vietnam, and was awarded the Purple Heart medal. Doctors were never able to remove all of the shrapnel from his left leg and he lived with constant pain most of his life.
He was so proud being a Marine.
Donny loved people and never met a soul he didn't connect with. He spent most of his adult life selling used cars and found this to be a rewarding challenge. He raised Arabian horses and enjoyed endurance races with his horse Kazam.
Donny started everyday with a cup of coffee and the New York Times crossword puzzle. He loved gardening, cooking, reading, music, going to concerts. In the summertime he would enjoy travelling to New York to see family and participate in a "talent show" with his sister Harriet and brother-in-law Sandy, and their kids. He liked playing cards with Kathy's kids and always said he "would've won the game but the two granddaughters cheated". After retiring, he enjoyed learning the game of golf. He joined a league of men who he felt were "pros" and loved perfecting his golf skills with this team of friends he called the "Misfits". He loved these men; they were friends until the end.
Donny is survived by his life partner of 23 years, Kathleen Hilbert; her two children Amanda Hilbert and Timothy Hilbert, and her three grandchildren, all of Tucson, AZ; his sister Harriet Belkin and brother-in-law Sandy Belkin of Bellmore, NY; their three children Dawn (Sesha Baratham) Belkin Martinez; Michael (Sally) Belkin; and Tracy (Sander) Gerber; niece Melissa (Craig Gardner) Goldner; nephew Andrew (Amelia) Goldner; and niece Jennifer Goldner; and several great- nieces and nephews.
In addition to his mother, Esther (Schwartz) Goldner, Donny was preceded in death by his brother, Joel Goldner, of Graham, WA.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date for family and friends.
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