Donald Leroy Prohaska

Donald L. Prohaska died July 18, 2020 at the age of 92. He was born May 29, 1928 in West Allis, Wisconsin. He graduated from Solomon Juneau High School with Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 and was quarterback of the football team. As a young adult, he enlisted in the US Air Force during the Korean conflict and served at Dow Air Force Base in Bangor, Maine. Donald worked in the family business as a barber until 1978, when he and his wife Edna moved to Florida. At that time, they followed their love of sailing and owned a charter sailing business at South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island, Florida. Aboard the sailing vessel Adventure they did daily charters to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Cayo Costa, and the surrounding islands and waters. He also was a part-time captain of the Sanibel Princess and a sailing instructor.

Donald loved being on the water and sailed to the Bahamas annually aboard Adventure and later Pipe Dream. One of his proudest achievements was winning his division in the Chicago Yacht Club to Mackinac Race and Boat of the Year in 1972 aboard the sailing yacht Sea Dation. He was beloved by his family and many friends and was known for his compassionate heart and sense of humor. If he wasn’t on the water, you might find him ballroom dancing or playing bridge.

Donald’s wife, Edna, preceded him in death after 60 years of marriage. He is survived by three children: Cheryl Shore (John), Donald A. Prohaska, and Deborah Shoman Zirbel in addition to his friend Shirley Doucette. Donald is also survived by four grandchildren (Evangeline Ortega, Benjamin Shore, Sarah Clayton, Cassandra Cox) and eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Donald and Edna Prohaska will be May 29, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the Cape Coral First United Methodist Church, 4118 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904.