Donald Joseph Straka

Donald Joseph Straka of Goodyear, AZ passed away January 9, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. He was born April 13, 1948 to Sylvia (Wronski) Straka and Edward Straka in Germantown, WI. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Patricia (Sowards) Straka. Additional surviving family members include Aunt Marie Wronski, sisters Christine (Straka) Weimann and Theresa (Straka) Czeslowski, his daughters Dawn Alexander (Pete), Peggysue Fromm (Earl), Cynthia Schultz (Andrew), and eight grandchildren.

Don retired as a decorated US Navy Commander. His naval career included earning his Engineering degree from Marquette University under the NESEP program, multiple sea tours and deployment for Desert Sheild/Storm. After his military retirement he continued his career in the engineering field at Niagara Mohawk then Palo Verde before he happily fully retired. Don was a well-known Miller Lite connoisseur who enjoyed many evenings at Happy Hour with his Canta Mia cooking club. A devoted Green Bay Packers fan, he never missed a game. As an animal lover he adopted several dogs and will be missed by his best furry friends Rosie and Ally. Don will be dearly missed and always remembered. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to VFW Post 6310 c/o Rich Durso, PO Box 1178, Tolleson, AZ 85353; or America Freedom Paws, Goodyear, AZ (paypal [email protected]).