Donald “Don” Hawk, 92 years young, passed away peacefully at home March 17, 2014. He was born on February 14th, 1922 in Greensburg, PA, the oldest son of five to Hiram and Bessie (Pershing) Hawk. He graduated from Greensburg Salem High School in 1940, and then started his 38 ½ year career at Armour & Company. In 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, and served 27 months in the South Pacific. His campaigns included the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and the Philippine Islands. After returning home from active duty, he joined the Army Reserves and continued working at Armour in Greensburg, PA and also had a license in Real Estate. He was called to active duty reserves and stationed in England, Wales by the Sea for less than a year in 1951, along with his wife, Sally and his six week old daughter, Carol. He continued with Armour until 1969 then got promoted and moved to McKees Rocks, PA from 1969-1973. He was then promoted and moved to Gaithersburg, MD from 1973-1977, then was promoted once again and moved to Liverpool, NY and worked in Syracuse from 1977-1979 before retiring as Regional Sales Manager of NY State.
He met his wife Sarah “Sally” Raver from Irwin, PA in 1946 at Mt. Odin Golf Course in Greensburg, PA, and they were married on February 7, 1948 until Sally’s passing on August 16, 2003; a total of 55 ½ years together. They became the proud parents of three daughters and one son from 1951-1965. After retiring from Armour in 1979, Don and his family moved to West Melbourne, FL, three days before Hurricane David and its eye stormed over Melbourne. Don semi-retired and worked five years for ABC Liquors, retiring in 1987 as Store Manager, Melbourne.
Over the years, Don was actively involved with the following organizations: American Legion Life Member since 1945, served two years as Post Commander Post 318, Greensburg 1967-1968, VFW #4206, Elks #1744, Moose #1406, Space Coast Pittsburgh Club, President, Friends and Newcomer (FAN) Club, Melbourne Men’s Golf League, PAFB Men’s Golf League, Melbourne Civic Theater, Palm Bay United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church and the last 10 ½ years at Presbyterian Church of the Good Shepherd. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, spending time with family, church, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bowling, traveling, organizing many golf trips, cruises and social functions for the various organizations and social clubs he was a member of, lending a helping hand to others, especially all their friends who were widowers, but most of all attending his grandchildren’s sports and academic functions.
He was a generous and loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and extended family to many. He will be greatly missed by his daughter Carol Hawk Greco of Imperial, PA, son, Thomas Hawk (deceased), daughter, Susan Hawk of West Melbourne, and daughter Donna Hawk of West Melbourne; five grandchildren, Christopher James and wife Alanna, Greg James and wife Stacey, and Ben James of Pittsburgh, PA, Sarah Hawk and fiancé Tyler Dunn, Evan Hawk of West Melbourne, FL; three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kendall and Kamryn James of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Dorothy McKenney of Palm Coast, FL; three brothers (all deceased), William and Robert Hawk of Greensburg, PA, and James Hawk of Auburn, CA.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Presbyterian Church of the Good Shepherd, Florida Ave., Melbourne at 11:00am. Reception to be held afterwards in the Church Social Hall, followed by interment at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial or monetary contributions may be made to VITAS Hospice, Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, FL.
The Life Event Center at Florida Memorial is entrusted with arrangements.
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