Donald J. Wilkinson

Donald J. Wilkinson, 87, of West Hartford, husband of Gloria (Gustafson) Wilkinson, died Friday, May 1, 2015 at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington. Born and raised in Hartford, the son of the late Charles B. and Jewel (Keene) Wilkinson, Don graduated from Weaver High School and served with the U.S. Army, 7th Infantry Division in Korea prior to hostilities. He went on to complete his degree in Civil Engineering from University of Connecticut and worked as a structural engineer until 1990 with Combustion Engineering in Windsor achieving numerous patents. He stayed on with the company after his retirement and traveled around the world as a consultant. Don and Gloria married November 20, 1948 and settled in West Hartford. Gloria was the love of his life, his soulmate, and best friend. They were married 66 years and Don focused on his family. He was a member of the P.T.A., Indian Guides, a Scout Leader for Troop 141 of Webster Hill Elementary School, Red Oak Hill Swim Club, and Springfield Ski Club. He was also a member of Blackpoint Beach Association where he took particular pride in the cottage he built himself and served on the zoning board of the association. In 1990 he and Gloria moved into their winter home at Ormond Beach where he was president of the association and consequently relied on his engineering background to rebuild the condominium complex that was devastated by Hurricanes Charlie and Francis. Don was a longtime member of the Church of Saint Helena and a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. He was an active member of the Elk and Moose Lodges and the Halifax River Yacht Club in Daytona Beach. Don was also a private pilot with a passion for flying and belonged to a club that shared ownership of a private plane. He loved to sail his boat or should we say boats, as two were victims of New England's hurricane season! He had a wonderful life with Gloria and his family. He was a great teacher and wonderful father. He will be greatly missed, our love for him always in our hearts. In addition to Gloria, Don leaves three children, Donald J. Wilkinson, Jr. and his wife Linda A. Dickson of Glastonbury, Christine Wilkinson and her husband Dennis Mack, of Milwaukee, WI, and Kevin Wilkinson and his wife Sarah of New Hartford; four grandchildren, Miriam, Carl, Jared and Ryan; and his great-granddaughter, Adeola. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the Church of Saint Helena, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Thursday, 4 – 7 p.m. at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.

Donald J. Wilkinson

May 1, 1928 - May 1, 2015