I also wanted to add when I went to college in Tampa for a year before going back to D.C. the next he moved with me and learned how to fly . How much fun we had together! He proposed to me on the Tampa Bridge. We then moved back to D.C. where he worked at the Circus Maximus and we have always stayed in touch. I surely miss him.

Don and I were together for many years.  We spoke often on the phone for the last 20 years. I will miss him. Many condolences to his daughter and family. 
Karen O'Brien Abbott

I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing. We haven’t seen each other in many years, but were close friends when we were kids. There are many stories I could tell, but one comes to mind. When we were about 8 or 9 years old, we were sitting at Don’s kitchen table in the house on Havilland Drive in Bethesda Maryland. As boys sometimes do, we were planning our future and how we both wanted to be rich. Now in those days, many families had maids that would come in a few days a week. Don’s family had engaged a woman named Lottie for these services. Lottie was a capable women with a bright smile and quick to laugh. She knew how to handle boys and knew many stories and folktales. Lottie overheard our conversation and came across the kitchen to sit down with us. As we dug into the snacks she brought with her, she said “If you really want to be rich when you grow up, there is a way.” Getting our full attention we both said “What is it?” She said “Getting rich takes work, commitment and faith. Do you boys think you’re ready for that?” “Sure!” we both enthusiastically lied. “Okay. The first thing you do is find the oldest graveyard in town. Once you’ve found it, find the oldest grave in that graveyard. On a night when the moon is full, take some shovels and go to that graveyard. Go straight to that grave and start digging. Once you hit the lid of the coffin, make sure you get all the dirt away from it and pop it open with your shovels. One of you climb down in that grave and lie on top of those old dried up bones. Won’t be long before the spirit that used to live in those bones will show up and tell you the secret. Now I got chores to do” With that, she got up - with a twinkle in her eye - and headed off toward the laundry room. Don and I sat there for a few moments in silence. Don looked at me and said “You know, I think I’m OK being 'almost' rich.” I immediately responded “Me too!” To this day, I don’t pass an old graveyard without wondering where the 
oldest grave might be and a slight smile whispers across my face.
In the end, I think we did OK.  Picture: my 9th birthday.  Don on left, me on right.

REST in Peace, Don. Hope to se you again. We will miss having you with us. 

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER DON RENE OF DESORMEAU. TILL ME MEET AGAIN......

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Don Rene Desormeau

April 14, 1953 – February 16, 2020

Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care

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