Donald James Roark, 93, a native of Hoopeston, IL and a resident of Pensacola, FL since 1959, passed away on March 6, 2012.
Don was born June 5, 1918 and was the youngest of six children born to Fabian and Margaret Roark. He graduated from John Greer High School in Hoopeston, IL, in 1937. He worked at the Roark Brothers Sinclair Station for many years before joining the United States Navy in 1943 to support World War II. He earned his wings at Naval Air Station Pensacola and went on to fly PBY Catalinas. Don fell in love with the city of Pensacola and with his future bride. In 1946, he married the former Betty Ann Spaulding whom he dearly loved and who preceded him in death in 1978.
After leaving the US Navy in 1945, Don remained in Pensacola and worked for a Sinclair Service Station in Pensacola, Shea’s Tiki House on Pensacola Beach in the 1960s, and EZ Rent in Pensacola in the 1970s.
Don was a founding member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Pensacola, FL and was a faithful servant there for many years.
Don loved to share his love of woodworking with family and friends. He had quite a woodworker’s shop and enjoyed making wooden toys, cars, and clocks while listening to Big Band music. Don had quite a memory and was a great storyteller. He would rattle off stories decades old that kept you engaged to the very end and they were always humorous. Don was also quite a musician – even up until his passing he would add to the birthday celebrations for fellow residents of Bay Breeze by playing “Happy Birthday” on the harmonica.
Though Don had no children of his own, he will be affectionately remembered as “Uncle Don” by generations of nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10am with Fr. Doug Halsema officiating. Don will be interred at Bayview Memorial Park.
Thank you to the wonderful staff at Bay Breeze Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all of their love and support of our Uncle Don!
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