Donald and I were Best Friends in Shark River Hills in Neptune, New Jersey . We met at the age of 6 living on the same street , Glenmere Avenue.  

Swimming ,snorkeling taking my Pram to the Sand Bars to go “ claiming in the Shark River at Low Tide ..

Truly A Friend

I purchased the painting at Kerwin Gallery in Burlingame and today received an invite to a Memorial Exhibit for Donald and another artist I'm not familiar with Bela Bodo.  I was saddened by this news.  I plan to attend the memorial exhibit to enjoy Donald's wonderful art and pay tribute.

I am completely shocked to find this out today! I knew Don through the SE Pastel Society as he and Suzi were briefly members. Also knew them through an art group in NW Ga. We exhibited together several times. He started pleinair.ning site, of which I am a member. I mourn his loss so much. I knew he wasn't in very good health...it had been a while since I saw him. Suzi and the kids, I am so sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear of Don's passing. We became friends way back in 1963 when we attended Neptune High School. I will  miss him.

I am sorry to hear of your loss.  Donald was a dear friend to our family and especially to my brother Greg. Our mother loved Donald paintings and I have 4 in my home today which will always be a reminder of the great artist he is today and always.
God Speed
Aimee de Laurentiis - LA, California

Going through and reading all these entries days after my fathers viewing.. I see that he touched so many peoples hearts. The pain and agony of losing my father is like none other pain I've ever felt before!  It's just so sad for so many reasons. I can't pick up the phone and call him any more. There won't be another holiday that he will share with my family. There is no possible place that I can go to get a hug from Dad or hear him say he loves me. I feel as though a piece of me is gone and I guess it really is gone.

I keep trying to tell myself that life is just a blink and before I know it we will be together again, but I do not feel any comfort in that knowledge today. I even know that he is happy with all those that have gone before and I am so thrilled for his happiness, but that just doesn't lighten the sad loneliness I feel as he continues to run through my heart. 
I have so many memories of his legacy though his artwork. Many of them I've sobbed over finding, as I haven't seen some of these pieces since before I moved from home in 1999. Jeff (Don's middle son) and I reminisced of the days that we had growing up in the Bay Area.. The trips we took across country - several times in our yellow Dodge camper/truck. So many memories that I will forever cherish..  

Dad - "If I don't see you in the future, I'll see you in the pasture!" Bye bye.. Xoxo

I am saddened to learn of Don's passing. I met Don and Suzie when they traveled to Washington state. I will always remember what a fun person he was and a terrific watercolorist. He was very supportive of other artists  and told me to paint more watercolors! Thank you, Don, for the small wc portrait and the encouragement. Take care, Suzie. My sympathy goes out to you.

Sincere condolences to Susie and to Don's family.  I was deeply saddened by Don' passing, he was a talented artist who, through his beautiful paintings, took us along with him on his travels.  Glad to have had you as a follow artist.

Suzie my heart is aching as yours is with the passing of Don. He is better now breathing easy and smiling at you.  Take comfort in the knowledge that he loved you, he told me that many many times, and that you made a very sweet kind generous difference in his life.  He is at rest now and will greet you with open arms and a huge hug.

I met Don in the early 1950`s in Shark River Hills.  He lived down the street and we became friends and business partners. I had a pram, a small boat that we used to take us out into the bay called Shark River so we could put our fins and mask and snorkels on and fish. We made money catching eels and selling them to a local restaurant, Mort's Port  We caught a sea monster and made the local papers.  It was part of a jelly fish that came north from Florida. We water skied and competed in swim meets at the Beach Club. We used the mud flats as our field of dreams. We remained friends for the next 60 years. He always made me laugh, he loved to use puns and would always enter them in our conversations. "Donald I will meet you at the Beach Club"  Greg

I've known and worked with Don over the last eight years.  He was a prolific and talented artist, who was also generous in his support for his colleagues and artists who came in contact through his work on-line.  Suzie, we are truly sorry for your loss and will miss his off-beat sense of humor and good nature.

Sorry to hear about Don he was a talented artist. Even though he was sick he rarely complained. Glad to have known him.

My heartfelt condolences to Suzie, Don's family and all those who lost a dear friend. I met Don numerous times when we exhibited our watercolors around the state of GA. He had such talent, as does his wife, and was always generous with his smiles and kind words. I am so sorry for your loss.

I was sorry to hear of your loss...I also spent time with Don in the Navy...Enjoyed him and his great cense of humor and whit...One great artist who brought the "Mighty J" to real life for the world to see, as well as other great pieces...Your and your family are in our thoughts and prayers...May God bless...John A. Reichel, USS JUNEAU LPD-10, 1969-1971

Don's art work and stories continue, as his legacy goes on. 
I am proud to tell all, "That was painted by brother, Don."

So sorry to here of Don's passing. I only knew him for a few years but with similar interest in painting and just about everything else he was like a brother to me. I will miss him. My sympathy to Suzie and the rest of his family.

 Don and I did time together in the navy, we had good times  and some bad, but we all had each others back. I'll miss him , as we all leaned on each other for suport !

I was so sad to hear of Don 's passing.  My prayers are with you, Suzie, and his family at this time of grief.  Don was a wonderful man...lots of joy for life and a wicked sense of humor. I know he will be missed greatly.  Patty.

I met Don and Suzie in the flesh for the first time on a cold and damp day, in Ireland. i was so thrilled to meet them as I had admired Don's work for ages. As you all know Don suffered with his breathing and I happen to own a thickly paint encrusted coat, which I felt very privileged to loan him for a couple of hours. During that week my car happened to "clap out" that is, went Kaput! 
I was walking along the town and happened upon Don and Suzie, I was in a foul humour, we decided to sit down for coffee, cake and of course a chat,...Well, all I can say is, I got up from that table in a very different frame of mind, than the one I had sat down in half an hour before. 
Don's droll sense of humour and dry wit started me  laughing and it didn't stop!! Don and I also swapped paintings there, The painting makes me smile every time I look at it, and brings such happy memories to my mind. I do, and WILL, treasure it all my life. 
After the coffees we took off and went PAINTING!! 
What a happy day with Suzie and Don.We sipped tea, slurped pints, munched cake and best of all PAINTED!!
 One other thing I remember. A fantastic painting Don did of the Hook lighthouse,.. I asked him how he  kept the top of the lighthouse so white in the painting(water colour) he looked at me wryly, laughed, and said 
"don't paint it" 
EH OBVIOUS!! LOVE YOU FOREVER Don  and Suzie
x x Louise

Suzie, Ron and I are so sorry to hear of Don's death. Our hearts are with you.
Michael

Remembering Don with great affection and admiration. He will be sorely missed in the Art and Plein Air Community,for his talent, presence and support.My deepest sympathy to Suzie and all of his family.

I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. 
My prayers go out to his family.

Reid and I are broken-hearted to hear that Don is gone - we truly loved the man, and appreciated his wryness, sharp sense of humor, and his amazing talent as an artist.  We've lost a friend, but heaven has gained a soul that is going to be having such a good time going around seeing family & friends who have gone on before. I am so glad I have two original drawings Don created (and one of yours too, dear Suzie!) and I will continue to treasure all three works of art.

Don Maier was one of my dearest friend who I met at Bauder College.  He was always funny/devilishly so.  His favorite thing for me to say to him was "yousa fool!"  I will always remember you and cherish your art that I am blessed to own.

Don's presence and humor will be missed, as much as his artistry. My deepest sympathy to Suzie, and to all of Don's family.

Suzie, I was so sorry to learn of Don's Passing, but be assure that he is now in a better place.  He will be missed.

Don was an incredibly talented artist and will be greatly missed at Gallery 4463. I always appreciated his sense of humor and admired his talent. My condolences to Suzie and the rest of the family.

So sad to hear this news!  I so admired Don's art (one of the most prolific and talented artists I know) and attitude in the face of his illness.  I will miss him greatly, as will all who knew him.  My thoughts and prayers go out for his loved ones.

Dearest Suzie and all members of Don's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss his eternal sense of humor, his gentle manners of dealing with controversy in the room and his devotion to art. He was a giving soul and a loving human being. May his journey into the new world be a wonderful one, graced by the light of all those who have gone before him.

Don was one of my favorite people. Suzie you and your family have my heartfelt condolences.      Diane Matus and Mel Arrowood

Sending condolences to you and your family. Please know that I'm thinking of you and sending prayers. I'm privileged to have know Don. He was a fine person and a wonderful and inspiring artist.

Dear Suzie and all of Don's family. It is with a heavy heart that I write this after just learning the very sad news of Dons passing and I wanted to extend my and Kathy's heartfelt condolences to you all. The world will be a sadder place without you Don. Bill & Kathy Kettering

"I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers."  Roma

Linda and I send heartfelt condolences to all members of the extended Maier family.  We have fond memories of Don, and are proud to have one of his paintings on display in our home.

Linda & Marty Huebener

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

OBITUARY

Donald Maier

October 28, 1947 – January 9, 2015

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Park

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