Donald Eugene Harwick

Donald, whose family and friends call him “Don”, moved around quite a bit in his early years; first in Madison Minnesota, then the Methodist Camp Grounds near Des Plaines, Illinois then later in the city of Des Plaines.

After World War II ended they moved to South Dakota, where they spent the winter with his grandparents. Later they moved back to Madison, where they had to stay indoors one summer due to a polio outbreak. The family continued to move during this time: once to a 2-room upstairs apartment, later above an electrical store on Main Street, then to a duplex on 4th Street. They later moved to Southern California where Don lived the rest of this life.

Don graduated from Lennox High School in Hawthorne, CA in 1958. He had a newspaper route as a child, he loved dogs and automobiles and played baseball. As an adult, he coached his sons and other boys in Little League baseball. Don worked for 30 years as a bread salesman for Old Country Bakery, now a part of Orowheat.

In 1964 he married Janice Menard. They raised four children of their own and provided a home for over 30 foster children. Don and Jan took many trips together on their motorcycle and numerous family trips in their van with their children. They loved playing canasta with friends and spending time with family. Don and Jan renewed their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary in 2014.

Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice Harwick of Covina, CA; his four children, Jody Coyle and husband Chris of Greenville, SC; Kristine Piccari and her family of Glendora, CA; Timothy Harwick and wife Hanna of Sierra Madre, CA and Michael Harwick and wife Michele of Ontario, CA.

Don has nine grandchildren: Joshua Piccari and wife Sarah; Amanda Piccari; Matthew Piccari; Michael Piccari; Shannon Coyle; Samuel Coyle; Kathleen Coyle; Mark Harwick; Sarah Kajkowski; and three great grandchildren: Giovanni Piccari; Noah Piccari; and Charles Piccari. Don has one sister: Joanna Harwick of Yucaipa, CA

Don was preceded in death by his parents Verda and John Harwick.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for 9 am on Friday, November, 10th at the Sunset Chapel at Oakdale Memorial Park located at 1401 S Grand Ave in Glendora, CA.

After the service there will be a continuation of visitation time to greet family at Christ’s Church of the Valley, Fireside Room, 1404 W Covina Blvd, San Dimas, CA 91773.