Donald E. Slack

Donald Ellsworth Slack, a 44-year resident of Palm Bay, Florida passed away Friday, March 9, 2012, at the age of 89. He was married for 51 years to Edna Mae Rombold, who passed away in November of 2001.

Donald was born November 15, 1922, in Bangor, Pennsylvania. He was the second youngest child and last surviving member of a family of eight. In May of 1939, he joined the Army and fought in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters during WW II. In July of 1950 he met Edna Mae Rombold when they were both attending the wedding of mutual friends. After a 2-week, whirlwind courtship, they were married.

In November of 1967 Don Slack retired with 28 years of active duty from the U.S. Army and moved his family to what was then known as the Port Malabar development in Palm Bay. He immediately began his second career, working in the Classified Ads Department of the newly founded Today Paper in Melbourne, Florida. He remained with the Today Paper until retiring at the age of 62.

Never having owned a boat or played a game of golf in his life, Don embraced the Florida lifestyle. He bought a boat and spent many afternoons with his wife and children fishing and clamming on the Indian River. He and Edna joined the Port Malabar Country Club, where they learned to play golf. He became a huge fan of the game and played regularly at the Country Club, until the golf course closed.

He is survived by his four children, Donna Maria, Sandy, Linda, and Donald. He has 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

A visitation will be held Fountainhead Funeral Home on Friday, March 16, 2012 from 1 to 2 pm with services following at 2p.m. He will be laid to rest at Fountainhead Memorial Park in Palm Bay.