Donnie and me
Note: this was originally to be a submission for a project that Don and Patricia’s daughter Michelle was putting together for Don’s 75th birthday next week. I decided to do it anyway as my way of honoring and remembering a friend and cousin that I have known for my entire life---all of it---me being born 28 days after he was. I believe his sister Donna, my mother Betty, and a few of the Certo cousins are the only people to have known Don longer than I. I do this for him. And his family. And myself.
I was born 28 days after Don in 1950, in the same city, Dearborn, MI. Donnie’s mom and my dad were siblings. By the time we were 3 or 4 we lived about 4-1/2 blocks away from each other. While our parents would probably have child protective services called in now, we walked (alone) to each other’s houses, played in the polliwog ponds and woods south of Westwood, when Long School and Lapham elementary were almost the only things on the west side of that street, before the skating rink was built on the tennis courts there. We once, when Telegraph rd. was being widened to 4 lanes, rode our bikes south as far as the new section went to Van Born. We thought that we were the first to use the not-yet-opened road. We had dozens of adventures in that neighborhood---in a time when kids were OK and safe to roam free. As most know, my family has eleven kids and Don’s family has 8, and we both have 6 sisters! As our families did not get invited to many places, our grandparents house and large yard were the site on many huge events that our family, our other cousins the Certo’s and many aunts and uncles in the mix, congregated at, along with our own houses---sometimes ½ of the conversations were in Italian---- And our first, most embarrassing event, caught on 8mm kodak film, was us being undressed down to our underpants and staging a boxing match using the boxing gloves we had both been given the Christmas of 1955. There is much more to this being sent to his family

I want to convey my deep condolence's to Patricia and Don's family. I worked with Don in various capacities at the VA in AZ as well as many other projects around the country. Don was always willing to help and was always a pleasure to work with. He was one of the most genuine and friendly people I've ever met.

Patricia, my heart is aching for you. My prayers for you and your family as you grieve. 
Maria Mantle

I worked with both Don and his wife Patricia for several years ! We traveled around the country several times. Don was ALWAYS great to work with. He always had great ideas to solve any sort of work related problems. I learned much from both Don and Patricia relating to Electronic medical records. They were both brilliant !
Patricia, I’m so sorry about Don’s passing and I send to you my deepest condolences and will say a prayer for you ! Please feel free to reach out to me anytime if you want to.

Jimbo Whitaker

Don was in some ways larger than life, so it is hard to imagine him gone, and I send my deepest condolences to Patricia and his family. He took an interest in each person and in all the best things life had to offer, from fast cars to dueling pianos, flavorful food, and new destinations to explore. I met him at a transition point in his life, moving from the VA to working for a commercial health systems company, and got to see him in his element surrounded by a team he had built for years to building a new dream with a new group of people, the kind of transition most people never make because doing what you've always done is easier than trying something new, but that was not Don's way. Don believed we could make a difference and make the world a little better, and he made us believe it too. He didn't ignore the barriers and challenges, but could shake them off with with a "they're nuts" and a steadfast commitment to chipping away at a problem until it was solved. He always trusted that the possibility of success was worth the risk of failure, and led by example to show that the journey was better than any destination. The love and life he shared with Patricia were also an inspiration, a model of work/life balance that didn't have borders as long as each adventure was faced together. I learned so much from Don, and am forever grateful that I got to travel with him and Patricia. I know the grief and loss must be overwhelming, but I hope that the joyful memories of a life well lived help to fill the void. I've been reaching out to colleagues and sharing memories since yesterday, and he touched us all with his kindness, forever in our hearts.

I'm shocked and very sorry to hear this. Don became my boss during my time at Sepulveda VA IRM(late 80s, early 90s). I respected him highly for his leadership style, and liked him as a friend. I transferred to the San Francisco ISC and he went to Tucson around 1992 . We re-united for dinner on many occasions afterward.
He was way too young for this! Rest in peace, Don, and prayers to your wife and beautiful daughters (who are adults now!).

I am a friend of his daughter, Alison. Donald was a cool dude! In high school I got to go to FL for spring break to stay at his place with Alison. I remember Don driving us in his mustang and he would put his drivers seat almost all the way back regardless if someone (Alison) was sitting behind him.

Patricia and family,

I’m so very sorry for your loss.  Prayers for you to receive lots of love and support as you grieve.  My sincere condolences.💐 

Kathy Montgomery (DSS)

All of us at DSS were shocked & saddened to hear of Don's passing...such a shock, gone way too soon.  He was a wonderful person and colleague.  He helped so many of us learn about the VA's systems and contributed so much to the mission of helping us help those who take care of our veterans.  Condolences to Don's extended family, we are so sorry for your loss...

Growing up in a big family is fun, loud and always slightly chaotic. As a shy kid, one of the most special memories I had was with my uncle Donny. Albeit, it was a trip to the hospital and a few stitches in my head! I fell off the dock up north and cracked my head open, I don’t remember much of the fall, but I do remember getting one on one attention and even a trip for ice cream with no other kids there with him.  I remember feeling special that day, not just for getting ice cream, although that certainly gave me some bragging rights. I got a tiny bit of bonding otherwise hard to catch in the busyness of “up north” at grandma and grandpas in the summer.  
Just this summer we had great conversations about politics and social issues and I always had the sense of being heard and seen by him. That’s a gift not everyone possesses. He will be greatly missed.

A great man who loved his family and made regular trips to Michigan to be a part of our lives. 
Thanks for the memories Donnie both up north at Mom & Dads and here in my home. 
You will always be remembered as my brother and my friend.

How many times had he told me how lucky he was to have married his best friend. 🥰

So sorry my dear Meehan cousins.  My fondest memories are growing up near you and spending Christmas together.  Donny as I remember calling him because Don was Uncle Don, you know, the big bad wolf!  He was one of the “older” kids and I didn’t know him much.  I do remember when he came back from the war talking to him while he painted the trim on our house on Calhoun.  He was so nice to me as a little kid.  I can still picture him there to this day.  I’m sure he was a great brother!  This past July, I sat with him at mom’s birthday party and it was good to have the chance to talk to him again.   I pray your memories give you smiles and are given some comfort knowing he is home with our Father in heaven. Much love…

My love and condolances to the family. Don was a great cousin for me. One of my best memories with him was him and I going to see the Rolling Stomes in an outdoor stadium on one of those perfect evenings with great sound. ( nearly impossible to get in an outdoor stadium!) I have had many great times with Dom and Patricia. Don and I traded so many car stories!! 
My love to all, and he will be fondly remembered by me and many others!

Don my Nam buddy.  Can't believe you are not here to cruse and play poker with us. Man oh man....you will be missed!
See ya on the flip side bro!  "We gotta get out of this place......if it's the last thing we ever do"  CIB CIB CIB! Chu Lai RVN 1969  3/21st 

Your friend Tony Jones

RIP BRO!

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Donald B Meehan Jr.

12 janvier 1950 – 24 décembre 2024

East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery

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