Donald Robison Britton

Donald Robison Britton, 84, a longtime Carmel Valley resident, died Monday, September 26, 2022 of lung cancer at Carmel Hills Health Care Center. Mr. Britton was born Oct. 8, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA. In his early years, he was a Broadway, film and TV actor, then moved on to theater management and finally real estate.

Mr. Britton, also known Don, Dawney, Dad, Pop and G’Pere, was first and foremost, a gentleman … a true gentleman, like those seen in black and white movies. With his lovely wife, Susan Britton always by his side, he charmed the Monterey Peninsula music and arts scene with his dry wit and equally dry martini.

Mr. Britton grew up on Philly’s Main Line with three brothers and his treasured baby sister, Charlotte, of Austin, Texas, who survives him. Not yet old enough to vote, Mr. Britton left the Main Line and headed for Broadway and a two-year stint on the stage in “The Happiest Millionaire.” He also performed in the touring company of Broadway shows where he said he, not necessarily his performance, was “loved by everyone.”

He met his future bride, Susan Marchant, in Manhattan. The two dated briefly, then dared each other to get married. Who dared whom has been in dispute the entirety of their 58 years of married life.

For many years, he was the business manager of Lyric Opera of Chicago where he, along with Manager Carol Fox, introduced such stars as Luciano Pavarotti to the United States, in his first engagement.

Mr. Britton and his family moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1984, where he was able to satisfy his love of painstakingly restoring old cars and hands-on work in building and restoring houses. He and his wife later opened Britton Designs and Best Properties. The perfect team, she would create magical designs and he would make them reality. Together, they built and rebuilt many notable houses on the Peninsula and in Salinas and Greenfield.

He was a longtime, active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Carmel, filling many roles in the church throughout the years. And, ever the show business buff, he performed in several murder mystery dinner theater performances, led by the late Dr. Stancil Johnson.

Most importantly, Mr. Britton was a passionate man who loved his wife above all else, and relished all life had to offer. He loved every job he ever had, a trait he shared with his daughter and he never met a person he didn’t already like, a trait he shared with his son.

Mr. Britton is survived by his loving wife, Susan; two children, Eve Marchant Britton, of Glastonbury, CT, and Christopher Robison Britton, his wife, Krista Hubbard Britton, and two grandchildren, Kendall and Grady, of McLean, VA. He is also survived by many loved and wonderful nieces, nephews, and their children.

Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Night Monterey, PO Box 185, Monterey, CA, 93942 or Monterey Symphony, montereysymphony.org (831-646-8511).