age of 73, he was born April 16, t947 in Long Beach, New York.
After graduating from East Meadow High School in East Meadow, Long Island, Don joined the
U.S. Navy and was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Wasp during the Vietnam War. When he
returned home he enrolled in college and graduated from Hofstra University, Uniondale, N.Y.
with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.
Don began his business career with AMF consumer products division on Long Island.
In 1978 he joined Olin Corporation in Stamford, CT as a sales representative in the
northeastern region. He was then a sales manager in their Orange, CA office.
Don and Susan were married in 1982 at the Valley Forge chapel in Valley Forge, PA following
his transfer to that area as Northeastern Sales Manager.
In 1986 Don served as national sales manager followed by an appointment as director of
national accounts for pool chemicals in the Stamford headquarters.
He joined Occidental Chemical in its new headquarters in Dallas, TX in 1993 where as Director
of Sales he helped establish Oxy's new pool chemicals division. Don retired from Oxy Chem in
2004 and moved with his wife to Lakewood Ranch, FL and became a member of the Lakewood
Ranch Country Club.
In 2008 Don and Susan opened a senior relocation company, Seniors on the Move, and assisted
seniors in the often daunting task of downsizing and moving to a senior community in Sarasota
and Manatee counties.
For 5 years, Don volunteered at the Ringling Museum as a tram driver. The perect job for a
person who loves to engage total strangers and share the history of the Ringling.
He was an active member of Our Lady of the Angels RC Church in Lakewood Ranch, the Anna
Marie Moose Lodge and the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club. Don served on the HOA board of
Edgewater Village and was certified in CERT for the same association. He greatly enjoyed the
camaraderie and competition of two local men's golf groups. Travel was another passion and
he and Susan shared many adventures in Europe, the Far East, golf holidays and cruising.
Don was genuine, full of love, a smile that could light 1000 rooms and always that twinkle in his
eye. He really cared about his friends - he was the real deal. His legacy will always be his
friendships - his lifelong friends from New York and newer friends from Connecticut,
Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. He made time to speak to them often and cherished them all.
He is survived by his loving wife Susan of 38 years, his sister Sandra Sigrist Valenti, brothers-in-law Brian
Kelly and Susan Kelly and James Kelly and Carol Kelly, nieces Tina Valenti Daddi, Tami Valenti
Savoia and nephew Freddy Valenti all of Florida. Also, Kathleen Kelly Slovin of Boston, Jennifer
Kelly Cleland of Chicago and Dana Kelly Woods of Connecticut. As well as many loving
grandnieces and grandnephews. He is proceeded in death by Donald F. Sigrist and Florence
Bailey Sigrist.
Visitation will be held on October 4,2020 from 2pm to 5pm at the Robert Toale and Sons
Funeral Home, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota Florida. Funeral will be held on October 5,2020 at
10am at Our Lady of Angels 12905 E State Rd 70, Lakewood Ranch, FL34202.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association of Gulf Coast Florida, 2201 Cantu Ct., Sarasota, FL 34232 or on their website.
Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with final care.
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