Donald F. Vallee

79

Homosassa

It is with a heavy heart the Vallee family announces that Don Vallee passed on to that great Country Club in the sky. Sorry that many of you will have to rearrange your foursomes, but you can rely on him to guide your shots from now on. His new membership in heaven began on Saturday, November 29th after battling a courageous fight with cancer. He was a proud father, grandfather and great- grandfather. A gathering to celebrate his life will be Thursday, December, 4th at Southern Woods Golf Club in Homosassa from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening.

He was married to Judy, his wife, for 57 years and they had three children. Dave and his wife Karol along with their two children Chris and Jennifer were visited often in Colorado. Last summer Don became a great-grandfather to Teagan (“Teacup” as grandpa called her). Rich and his wife Linda and their herd of horses were regularly visited at the Vallee Ranch in Rochester, New York. His daughter Debbie and her husband Don with their four boys, Travis, Brad, Michael and Kyle filled their time in Crystal River.

Don’s brother Bob and his wife Beth live in Boston, Mass which is where he was born. He attended Thayer Academy in Quincy, and graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he met Judy and began their life together. After the Air Force, they lived all over the east coast while working for Metropolitan Life for 37 years and retired here in Homosassa enjoying golf and mentoring their grandchildren.

They travelled the US and the world from Scotland, Ireland, England, to New Zealand and Australia, but unfortunately, never made it to his safari in Africa. Family memories were made camping in Canada, visiting Hawaii, California, Alaska, Colorado, and New York. He proudly swung from the pot bunkers and paused on the infamous Swilcan Burn Bridge at St. Andrews and graced the links from Pebble Beach to Doral including Pinehurst, Oak Hill and TPC Sawgrass. Yes, he nudged the ball from coast to coast. Golf was a large part of his entire life and passed that love onto his grandchildren here in Crystal River. Grandpa rarely missed a golf tournament, football, baseball or soccer game and became “Grandpa” to all their teammates. Additionally, he loved to fish and enjoyed looking at maps of the world.

Please stop and share your stories and memories of Don, and listen to others you have not heard before. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society (800-227-2345) or Hospice of Citrus County (3350 West Audubon Park Path, Lecanto FL 34461). Thanks to the doctors and staff at Moffitt Cancer Center and Citrus Memorial Hospital for their love and care. Also a special thank you Dr. C. Joseph Bennett who guided us through this difficult time.

We love you Dad and are in our thoughts forever. Hit ‘em straight, keep an eye on us, and hold our membership open.

www.wilderfuneral.com