The Schusters had come from Germany to New Jersey and then settled in Connecticut where they met the McClellans who had come from Scotland.
Growing up in Waterbury was a treat, so Don felt, with the rolling hills and forest throughout the area and the ocean beaches only a short drive south, near Yale…and, also, with New York City not far beyond.
Early on, it was evident that Don was a gifted artist, with his many drawings, watercolors and oil paintings which became prolific as the years passed, for the walls of his childhood home were covered with them!
After high school, Don attended the University of Connecticut, getting his bachelor degree and on to the U.S. Naval Officers school in New Port, Rhode Island. Don’s four years as an active naval officer were a great experience, as America was not at war, except for the Cuban Missile Crisis, toward the end of his active tour of duty, it was a time of peace.
Indeed, his early assignments included cruising the Mediterranean from the ports of North Africa, across to Istanbul, then next to Thessalonica in Northern Greece, and down to Athens, where Don made the first of his three visits to the Acropolis and its wonders.
Then, it was onto Naples, where Don spent his 21st birthday, followed by cruising into Barcelona where he toured that city’s modern wonder, Sagrada Familia. His tour of duty continued across the southern coast of Spain, through the Strait of Gibraltar, into the Atlantic and home to America.
This was a great tour of duty for Don and all the young sailors and officers, as it also was one that taught them the importance of the Navy’s responsibilities which are paramount in keeping America safe and strong as they visited each of these port cities!
Don finished his active service, in Boston and finally at the Brookland Naval Yard.
This last period was the closest Don came to being involved in the support of a potential conflict: The Cuban Missile Crisis, which was diverted by the guidance, brilliance and strength of President John F. Kennedy!!
With the beginning of Don’s inactive military service, he returned to his home in Waterbury, Connecticut, briefly, then back to New York City where he worked for a year. Then with a friend, Don came to Dallas!
His first years in Dallas were spent working for the famous department stores, Sears, Roebuck and Company, and later, Dallas’ famous Sanger Harris Department Store…where he met and became friends with Sigmund Mandel, who taught Don, as he did all his younger friends, how to entertain – in giving a great dinner party!!
In 1971, Don met Robert Vaticalos. It was the luckiest event in their lives and will remain so for ever and ever!! With both of them inclined toward art and furnishings, they returned to college, getting their degrees in Interior Design and making that one of the centerpieces of their business interest. This also lead to their commercial real estate investments, which later provided for their retirement!
Don’s first job in the field of Interior Design was with Al Ferraro, owner of Chesterfield Interiors which was one of Don’s favorite jobs as it was a place of the highest quality. Later, he worked for the then famous Gabbert’s Furniture, before being hired by F. Schumacher and Co. ...one of the world’s foremost source of fabrics and wallcoverings!! Here he spent many years working with the Interior Design Community of Dallas, as well as much of Texas and the surrounding states. Likewise, as a professional member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID), Don served on a number of committees, both in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, as well as state-wide, for he was well liked and respected by all who knew him!
As was mentioned, Don was perhaps most prolific as an artist and painter, as well as a watercolorist. The walls of his and Robert’s home are covered with Don’s work, which were constantly admired by all who saw them. He was always glad to give some to family members, but could never sell one of them!
Finally, after many years at Schumacher, Don retired and surprised all as he began teaching History of Interior Design and Textiles at El Centro Interior Design School. This was something that he truly loved, and, as a result, he was named “Teacher of the Year,” each year! After a few years of teaching, Don totally retired.
With his and Robert’s travels being of such great pleasure, they returned to Europe with a cruise to Scandinavia and Russia. However, having seen much of the world in the military and on personal travels, they decided that Santa Fe was far enough to go!
For many years, they had spent part of each summer in Santa Fe, visiting friends and attending the productions of the Santa Fe Opera and shopping the unique Santa Fe art market.
As an artist, Don was fascinated by the uniqueness of the light and shadows that were created by the sun shining on the rolling hills and the soaring mountains, and the unique topography, which had brought so many artists to the Taos-Santa Fe area to capture the like on canvas! Both Don and Robert loved driving the hills and valleys, during their many visits there….to witness this beauty!
Likewise, with their love of art, Don and Robert were members of the Dallas Museum of Art, The Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth, where they first saw, on tour, the St. Petersburg Hermitage Collection of French Impressionists art. Also, they were charter members of The Meadows Museum at S.M.U.
The museums of the world were a treat to Don as an artist and lover of all the arts! Therefore, he was ever so grateful for the opportunities that had allowed him to visit so many of them, as well as being able to see, first hand, so much of the world’s creative beauty.
Also, Don’s love of classical music was, he felt, a gift from God. His radios were always tuned to WRR Dallas classical music station! Whether at home or in his car, he cherished listening to everything from Handel and Bach to Rachmaninoff and Chopin, never forgetting Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and the like. What a treat and treasure it was for Don to hear great music!
Don was preceded in death by his parents and brother and is survived by his treasured and loving companion of 52 years, Robert Vaticalos. He is also survived by Robert’s nephew, George Mayo and his family of Port Aransas, Texas and also by Robert’s loving niece, Stephanie Mayo Hearne, her husband Douglass Hearne and their family of Austin, Texas.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225.
A service for Don will be held on February 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas, 75225 with a reception following at Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Lane, 17th Floor, Dallas, Texas, 75225.
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