Donald William Maki

Donald “Don” William Maki, age 90, passed away suddenly and peacefully on January 21, 2021, in San Dimas, California, after his morning run, a lifelong activity that he loved. Don was born on July 20, 1930 to Henry “Hank” William Maki and Alli Elizabet “Olive” (Gabrielson) Maki of Montreal, Wisconsin. His father was a miner for the Montreal Mine (who also played for the Green Bay Packers at the inception of the team). Donald attended Roosevelt Elementary School in Montreal.

In 1942, as WWII was under way, and other business opportunities in California were calling, Donald age 12, and his family moved to Hollywood, California. He went on to attend the second half of his 7th grade year at Le Conte Junior High and graduated Hollywood High School in the summer of 1947.

Don embarked on a successful career as an electrician. His jobs included contracts with Jet Propulsion Lab, as well as numerous leading industries in the Southern California region. He loved the Central Coast of California where he would drive his then “bathtub” Porsche just to see the beauty and spender of the California landscape, up the Coastline and across Hwy 46 (the infamous last ride of James Dean).

Donald’s heart for his childhood home in Montreal/Iron Belt never waivered. He began spending time back in Wisconsin in 1976. He loved everything about his hometown. It’s history, it’s beauty, the sentimental roots for the childhood home of his ancestry. His frequent visits to family and friends lead him in 1985 to find the love and best friend of his life, Mary Ann Nezworski of Ironwood, Michigan. There began a court ship that would span many years, not to mention many states, as they navigated their time between in Wisconsin and Southern California. In 1991 Mary Ann moved to California and their relationship culminated in marriage in the year 2004.

Their home in Iron Belt was a splendid place for Spring and Summer, while their home in Burbank, and more recently La Verne, California was a safe refuge from the cold Winters of Wisconsin. And after all, in California, Fall and Winter are times for horseracing while the mild winters allowed for Don’s daily run. He sincerely embraced and appreciated his opportunity to live the best of both worlds.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann (Nezworski) Maki, his daughter from a previous marriage Margaret (Maki) Hughes, brothers and sisters in law Lori Nezworski, John and Marleen Nezworski, Larry and Sandy Nezworski, David and Marilyn Nezworski, Jerry and Sue Nexworski, Michael and Jill Nezworski, cousin Theodore “Ted” Peterson and his wife Donna (Walta) Peterson, niece Kathryn (Bennett) Mauno and husband Michael Mauno, great nieces Shelley, Angelica, Bridget and Lilly Bennett and dear family friend Krittima Kumpangthong, lovingly known as Obb.

He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Olive Maki, sister Lillian (Maki) Bennett, brothers in law Walter F. Bennett and Frank Nezworski, nephews Frederick W. Bennett and James A. Bennett.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held for family and close friends on July 20, 2021 at 1:00 pm at their home in Iron Belt.