Donald Paul Shildneck

Donald Shildneck, 93, passed away on October 9, 2023 at the Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara (Bobbie) Shildneck and was the devoted father of Douglas Shildneck (Dede), David Shildneck (Mary) and Richard Shildneck (Fay). He was born September 8, 1930 in Schenectady, NY, to Lloyd Shildneck and Virginia (Arganbright) Shildneck. Don earned his B.S. degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, then served in the United States Marine Corps after graduation. Don earned his MBA from the University of Massachusetts while working as an electrical engineer at General Electric. GE had the privilege of Don’s employment for his entire career. Don moved with his family to the Berkshires in 1962. In 1970 he and his family relocated to Erie, PA where he performed quality control electrical engineering work with GE. After having relocated to the Connecticut Shoreline in 1980 he and Bobbie resided in Madison for 30 years before making a final move to Essex Meadows, a life care community located in Essex, CT. Don enthusiastically embraced many types of outdoor recreation with his friends and family. Proficient at many sports, he was particularly adept at ice hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, and skiing (downhill and cross-country). He shared his love of sports with Bobbie and his 3 boys. Don was a fixture on the youth baseball coaching circuit, even past when his boys had moved on to other sports. He played ice hockey at the college level, captaining the RPI team during the 1951-52 season. He volunteered as a certified ski patrol member, working cross-country ski venues. Like Bobbie, Don had a particular love for the White Mountains in New Hampshire. He accompanied his family on vacation trips in their tent trailer visiting there, and the family eventually purchased a year-round vacation home in Holderness, NH. He used that home with his brother, Jim, as a base-camp in their successful quest to summit each of the 48 4000’ peaks in NH. Later in life, Don took up road biking and dove into that pursuit with full gusto. His annual goal of 5000 miles in the saddle was achieved well into his 80’s. He joined bike groups, led rides, and eventually co-formed his own, less formal, bike group, nicknamed the Bootleg Bicycle Club. Don worked with several of his biking companions to develop and launch a web site to document and share specific rides throughout the state of Connecticut. Don’s biking achievements, particularly in his advanced years, have been an inspiration to his family, and friends. During his thirteen years at Essex Meadows, he volunteered in the “Meadows Mart” company store, helped his wife to manage the store for several years and did some committee work --- especially enjoying his several years of participation on the Essex Meadows Parking committee. He also participated with Bobbie on the Essex Meadows Scholarship Foundation committee, which collected funds contributed annually by the residents to assist employees (and/or the children of Essex Meadows employees) with their college expenses. He loved to lead the hiking group on treks throughout the grounds and neighboring trails. The gifts of kind words, given to Don’s family, from his Essex Meadows co-residents and the EM staff, when they learned of his passing, were a testament to his kindness, and the regard in which he was held by the EM community. In addition to his children, Don will be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Jeane (Nick), Brian (Sarah), Kevin (Samantha), Natasha, Elyssa (Brian) and his great grandchildren Payten, Mackenzie, Olive, Wyatt, Caroline, Nathan, Benjamin & Rory…and the latest in a 50+ year string of Siamese, Burmese and Balinese cats, Mika. Don was predeceased by his granddaughter, Amber.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s name to the Essex Meadows Employee Appreciation Fund, 30 Bokum Road, Essex Meadows, 06426, or to a charity of your choice.

All services will be private. To share a memory of Don or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.