Donald James Angell

We celebrate the life of Donald (Don) J. Angell (July 3, 1929 – November 9, 2021) of Springfield, VA. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret E. Angell, his eldest son, Michael A. Angell of Sumerduck, VA, sister Dolores Angell Smith of St. Petersburg, FL and brother Joe Angell of Helena, MT. He is survived by his brother Gordon (Lujbov) Angell; children Thomas (Margaret) Angell of Manassas, VA; Patricia (Eric) Cooper of Highland Village, TX; Elizabeth (Jay) Wilson of Tampa, FL; Phillip (Kelly) Angell of Bozeman, MT; Margaret (Robert) DeVaux of Stafford, VA; daughter-in-law Karen (Mike) Duby of Sumerduck, VA; 13 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Don was born July 3, 1929, in Manchester, CT, to parents Mary Elizabeth Hopko and Herbert Joseph Angell. Don graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School where he developed a fervent love for boxing. Don entered into the U.S. Navy in 1949 and separated in 1953. During his time in the Navy and upon returning to the U.S. from Japan, he was selected to fight for the U.S. Naval boxing team in San Diego, CA. It was from this base of operations that in 1952, Angell won the Southern California Welterweight Title in Los Angeles qualifying him to compete in the U.S. Western Regional Olympic Boxing Trials being held in San Francisco. He went on to represent the region in the U.S. Olympic Boxing Finals held in Kansas City, MO, however he lost in the quarter-final round. He graduated from Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown in June 1957 and married his wife Peggy in December of the same year. Don continued to live out his passion for boxing as a coach, and enjoyed training Chris Fox, of Annandale, VA, who went on to win the Junior Lightweight Championship in March 1967 at Cole Field House, MD. Angell went on to coach nationally recognized fighters including Northern Virginian Pete Hussey and professional fighters Ed Harris and Keith Broom. He was most proud of signing his first professional boxing contract to manage Broom in January 1978. Don was later inducted into the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame. Don was a past Grand Knight of both Saint Michael’s and Holy Spirit’s Knights of Columbus. One of his most memorable and challenging responsibilities was working, and helping coordinate the March for Life for over 30 years, in which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Pro-Life Award in 1996 in Washington, DC. He was also very active with the Ambassadors of Mary from July 1992 until September 2010, and served as Team Captain beginning in May 1999. Don’s love and devotion to his church, the community, his boxers and especially to his family, will live on forever. He will also be remembered for his delight in Dixieland jazz music, and if you ever had the pleasure to have met Don, your first and lasting impression of him was undoubtedly his strong handshake. Up until the end, his handshake was as strong and firm as ever! Don was known by various names to include; Papa (“Daddy” in Spanish) shortened later to Pay by his children, Big D, Coach, Mr. Ange and his boxing nickname – The Candlestick Kid – “One Blow and You’re Out.” Now that your candle has been blown out, his flame will flicker in our hearts forever. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday November 30, 2021 at 12:30 pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Annandale, VA. Family and friends can gather prior to the Mass from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA. Burial will be private at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, wreath sponsorship to Wreaths Across America in Columbia Falls, ME can be made https://quanticossc.wildapricot.org .