Donald was the first child of Frank and Grace (Smith) born in 1926 on the south side of Chicago. Grand parents were Maurice and Jennie (Gilbert) Griffin, both born in Ireland, and Martin and Sarah (McGrath) Smith, Martin born in England (after the family left Ireland) and Sarah born in Chicago.
After graduating from De La Salle High School, Donald served in the US Navy (Quartermaster 3rd class) aboard the USS Earle DMS-42. Earle served as escort between the East Coast of the US and the Mediterranean. Last port was Naples May 31, 1945 before returning to Norfolk. Earle was then converted for duty in the Pacific and arrived in Okinawa on October 15, 1945 and served in the region (Sasebo, Nagasaki) until March 18, 1946.
June 21, 1947 he married Joanne King. Donald and his sons would be the third, fourth and final generations to occupy the Griffin family home on South Kimbark Avenue. Donald was active in the neighborhood owning a tavern near the Rhodes Theater on 79th street and bowling on one of the American Legion Posts (Kil-Wel-Tra-Mar) teams. Bowling remained a source of pleasure for many years, along with pinochle and cribbage. Following his divorce in 1956 Donald went to work for Carl Zepp Distibuting (Budweiser) in Arlington Heights.
In 1961 Donald was living with his parents when, his father Frank suffered a fatal heart attach while returning home after work (Drewrys)…it was St. Patrick's Day and his parents wedding anniversary. For the next 24 years Donald remained with his mother and the Budweiser Distributorship until his death in 1985. In 1983 Donald was stricken with Guillain–Barré syndrome and never recovered, remaining paralyzed from the chest down until his passing.
Donald was survived by his mother and his three sons; Timothy, James, and Donald as well as brothers Frank and Richard. Donald was known for his great sense of humor as well as devotion to and love of family. He was also know to repeat an old line the goes …"live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse" (spoken by John Derek in the 1949 movie "Knock on any Door"). Donald was a good father, a good son and everyone's favorite uncle/cousin.
After graduating from De La Salle High School, Donald served in the US Navy (Quartermaster 3rd class) aboard the USS Earle DMS-42. Earle served as escort between the East Coast of the US and the Mediterranean. Last port was Naples May 31, 1945 before returning to Norfolk. Earle was then converted for duty in the Pacific and arrived in Okinawa on October 15, 1945 and served in the region (Sasebo, Nagasaki) until March 18, 1946.
June 21, 1947 he married Joanne King. Donald and his sons would be the third, fourth and final generations to occupy the Griffin family home on South Kimbark Avenue. Donald was active in the neighborhood owning a tavern near the Rhodes Theater on 79th street and bowling on one of the American Legion Posts (Kil-Wel-Tra-Mar) teams. Bowling remained a source of pleasure for many years, along with pinochle and cribbage. Following his divorce in 1956 Donald went to work for Carl Zepp Distibuting (Budweiser) in Arlington Heights.
In 1961 Donald was living with his parents when, his father Frank suffered a fatal heart attach while returning home after work (Drewrys)…it was St. Patrick's Day and his parents wedding anniversary. For the next 24 years Donald remained with his mother and the Budweiser Distributorship until his death in 1985. In 1983 Donald was stricken with Guillain–Barré syndrome and never recovered, remaining paralyzed from the chest down until his passing.
Donald was survived by his mother and his three sons; Timothy, James, and Donald as well as brothers Frank and Richard. Donald was known for his great sense of humor as well as devotion to and love of family. He was also know to repeat an old line the goes …"live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse" (spoken by John Derek in the 1949 movie "Knock on any Door"). Donald was a good father, a good son and everyone's favorite uncle/cousin.
Donald was the first child of Frank and Grace (Smith) born in 1926 on the south side of Chicago. Grand parents were Maurice and Jennie (Gilbert) Griffin, both born in Ireland, and Martin and Sarah (McGrath) Smith, Martin born in England (after the family left Ireland) and Sarah born in Chicago.
After graduating from De La Salle High School, Donald served in the US Navy (Quartermaster 3rd class) aboard the USS Earle DMS-42. Earle served as escort between the East Coast of the US and the Mediterranean. Last port was Naples May 31, 1945 before returning to Norfolk. Earle was then converted for duty in the Pacific and arrived in Okinawa on October 15, 1945 and served in the region (Sasebo, Nagasaki) until March 18, 1946.
June 21, 1947 he married Joanne King. Donald and his sons would be the third, fourth and final generations to occupy the Griffin family home on South Kimbark Avenue. Donald was active in the neighborhood owning a tavern near the Rhodes Theater on 79th street and bowling on one of the American Legion Posts (Kil-Wel-Tra-Mar) teams. Bowling remained a source of pleasure for many years, along with pinochle and cribbage. Following his divorce in 1956 Donald went to work for Carl Zepp Distibuting (Budweiser) in Arlington Heights.
In 1961 Donald was living with his parents when, his father Frank suffered a fatal heart attach while returning home after work (Drewrys)…it was St. Patrick's Day and his parents wedding anniversary. For the next 24 years Donald remained with his mother and the Budweiser Distributorship until his death in 1985. In 1983 Donald was stricken with Guillain–Barré syndrome and never recovered, remaining paralyzed from the chest down until his passing.
Donald was survived by his mother and his three sons; Timothy, James, and Donald as well as brothers Frank and Richard. Donald was known for his great sense of humor as well as devotion to and love of family. He was also know to repeat an old line the goes …"live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse" (spoken by John Derek in the 1949 movie "Knock on any Door"). Donald was a good father, a good son and everyone's favorite uncle/cousin.
After graduating from De La Salle High School, Donald served in the US Navy (Quartermaster 3rd class) aboard the USS Earle DMS-42. Earle served as escort between the East Coast of the US and the Mediterranean. Last port was Naples May 31, 1945 before returning to Norfolk. Earle was then converted for duty in the Pacific and arrived in Okinawa on October 15, 1945 and served in the region (Sasebo, Nagasaki) until March 18, 1946.
June 21, 1947 he married Joanne King. Donald and his sons would be the third, fourth and final generations to occupy the Griffin family home on South Kimbark Avenue. Donald was active in the neighborhood owning a tavern near the Rhodes Theater on 79th street and bowling on one of the American Legion Posts (Kil-Wel-Tra-Mar) teams. Bowling remained a source of pleasure for many years, along with pinochle and cribbage. Following his divorce in 1956 Donald went to work for Carl Zepp Distibuting (Budweiser) in Arlington Heights.
In 1961 Donald was living with his parents when, his father Frank suffered a fatal heart attach while returning home after work (Drewrys)…it was St. Patrick's Day and his parents wedding anniversary. For the next 24 years Donald remained with his mother and the Budweiser Distributorship until his death in 1985. In 1983 Donald was stricken with Guillain–Barré syndrome and never recovered, remaining paralyzed from the chest down until his passing.
Donald was survived by his mother and his three sons; Timothy, James, and Donald as well as brothers Frank and Richard. Donald was known for his great sense of humor as well as devotion to and love of family. He was also know to repeat an old line the goes …"live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse" (spoken by John Derek in the 1949 movie "Knock on any Door"). Donald was a good father, a good son and everyone's favorite uncle/cousin.
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