Don grew up on Detroit’s east side, spending many happy-filled childhood summers in Stoney Point, Ontario. Don graduated from DeLaSalle Collegiate High School ‘61 and attended University of Detroit. He served with the US Marines.
He married Diana Marks in 1964 and would have celebrated 57 years of marriage on November 27, 2021, together they had 4 children. They lived in Grosse Pointe Woods and were members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.
Don started as a tool and die maker and became a successful entrepreneur. Always able to read the market, he would adjust his many business courses successfully. He happily retired at age 52, bought a cottage on Harsens Island, and truly enjoyed his retirement years.
Don was generous, kind, loving, faithful, and funny. He always had a joke and smile ready to brighten everyone’s day. There was never a family member or friend that asked for his help that didn’t receive it. He lived his life believing that if you could help someone else you should and he did. He was a true Christian & Patriot.
Don was a Hockey Enthusiast all his life, even playing for the Junior Red Wings at 16 years old. He went on to coach many hockey teams over the years and took pride knowing he had influenced his players in a positive manner. His proudest moments were coaching his son Donnie's hockey teams. He won the All Ontario Championship “Sutherland Cup” both as a player for the Detroit Jr. Wings in 62’ and as team owner of the Sarnia Blast in ‘02. He and his wife, Diana, travelled to New York nearly every weekend during their son’s collegiate hockey career and brought home-cooked meals for the entire team after Friday night home games.
Watching his grandchildren play hockey, various other sports and performing in the arts also gave him great joy. He tried to make every event he possibly could. Fishing with friends and cooking were other passions. He felt that time spent fishing and cooking were never wasted. Big family dinners were his favorite. His signature dishes and family meals will be cherished by his family and they will miss his presence immensely. He passed both passions on to his children and grandchildren.
In his later years, Don enjoyed spending his mornings having breakfast and discussing politics with his friends (RIMEOs) at local restaurants.
Don was a great father, encouraging and supporting his children in their dreams and passions. The only people he loved more than his children were his grandchildren. He loved nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren and he was extremely proud of them all. He was definitely a family man.
Don leaves behind his wife Diana, three daughters, Colleen (John) Haubert, Heidi (Barry) Brookes, Susan (John) Blake and son, Don (Katie), 7 grandchildren, Andrew (Becca) Haubert, Douglas Haubert, Melissa Haubert, Gretchen Brookes, Johnny Blake, Nora and Bryce Jaeger and 1 great grandchild, Jackson Haubert. Sisters, Jacqueline (the late Jerome) Schiltges and Sylvia (Jerry) Koeningbauer.
Don will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be held from 3-9 PM on Wednesday December 1st at A.H. Peters Funeral Home 20705 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A Rosary service will be at 7 PM.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday December 2nd at 10 AM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 468 Fairford Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods.
Donations can be made in his name to: St. Jude’s Children Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now
DONATIONS
St Jude Children's Hospital501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
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