Donald Stephen Piskura

Donald Stephen Piskura passed away peacefully on September 25, 2023, in the presence of his wife and two sons, after a battle with dementia.  Donald was born in Bridgeport, CT on February 14, 1936, the oldest son of Stephen and Anna (Krasnak) Piskura.   He graduated from Stratford High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country as a corpsman in the Navy and was later assigned to a marine unit. He spoke fondly of his time in the service and of the Philippines and Okinawa where he was stationed. 

In 1965, he married his wife of 58 years, Mary Jo, and began his career as a mortician and funeral director.   He started at Greenwich Funeral Home but spent the majority of his 45-year career at Weinstein Mortuary in West Hartford, retiring in 2006.

Donald was a storyteller and a character earning many monikers.   Donny K., The Don Man, Uncle Donny, and Don the Marauder to name a few.   He was also a founding member of the Blood Star, a group of friends and family with whom he often travelled. 

He was an avid collector of military memorabilia, hats, edged weapons, toy soldiers, miniature trucks, and Christmas ornaments, including a collection of Santa Clauses that could cover any tree.

Donald loved football, and he played a major role in growing the youth football program in Glastonbury.  He was the head equipment manager for the program, and later in his life, he ended up volunteering as the equipment manager for the Glastonbury High School team.

He coached his sons in youth sports, was involved with the Cub Scouts, and was an avid reader, devouring book after book.  

Near the end of his life, Donald enjoyed watching his granddaughter's plays, his grandson’s basketball games, inquiring about his youngest grandson’s passion for drumming and viewing classic Westerns. 

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Jo (DeLorenzo) Piskura, and his two sons, Eric and his wife Emily Scott of South Portland, ME, and Craig and his partner Eileen Kazor of Georgetown, SC; his beloved grandchildren:  Andrew, Allison and Brendan Piskura, and their mother Julie, all of Glastonbury; his sister Dolores Gallant, of Shelton, CT and a host of close-knit in-laws, nieces and nephews that will miss his humor and heart. 

Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Charles Piskura of Waterford, CT.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 3rd at 10:30 am at Saint John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell.  A burial will follow in the State Veterans Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded.

Family and friends may call on Monday evening from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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