Donald Munson

BANGOR - Donald N. Munson, 89, of Bangor, ME, passed into eternal life with his savior Jesus Christ on November 24, 2021. He was born on November 12, 1932 in Greene County, New York and grew up in the Munson family home "Elm Crest" in Windham, NY nestled in the serene Catskill Mountains. Don was the youngest child of Florence and Donald F. Munson, and his curly hair made him the envy of his two older sisters, Gwen and Marilyn. Don graduated from Windham Ashland Jewett Central School at the young age of 16 and went on to Rider University in New Jersey, where he earned a degree in Accounting. Don served honorably in the US Army during the Korean War. Don's first marriage resulted in four daughters, and his subsequent marriage added two stepsons and a stepdaughter to fill his quiver.

Always sharp as a tack, and quick with numbers, Don started his career at Travelers Insurance Company in Philadelphia, PA. He later formed his own insurance agency in Mount Holly, NJ. As life went on, Don moved to Bangor, Maine and was welcomed to the area by his sister Marilyn and her husband, Phil McFarland. Don began his Bangor career working at Phil’s Bangor Dodge dealership. He subsequently worked for both Peterbilt and Kenworth truck dealerships. He met his second wife, JoAnn, who became his beloved "Sweet Mary Jo." Together they formed an incredible, formidable, and highly successful ERA real estate team with ERA Dawson, where they met numerous life-long friends, and earned many awards both state-wide and nationally.

From his early years learning to play golf with his brother-in-law at the Windham Golf Course, Don became an excellent golfer. In addition, Don was especially proud of his Munson family heritage, researching and collecting books and other memorabilia. Being related to Thurman Munson cemented his passion as a life-long Yankees fan - perhaps the only one in Bangor! Over the years, Don enjoyed traveling with JoAnn. Although their trips brought them to many exotic places, their favorite trips were to visit family, such as trips to the American Girl store in Georgia with their granddaughters Hope and Ella, the beaches and boardwalks of Cape May and Wildwood NJ with their Jersey family, and Maine destinations including Acadia, Bar Harbor, and Lake Lucerne. Their Maine children and grand-children knew that every Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthday would be celebrated with “Nan and Gramps.” More recently, in his spare time, Don enjoyed buying and selling collectibles with his son, “Jimmy,” via live and online auctions and would love to tell any willing listener about special items he found. “The Don,” as he was known at the Crafty Flea weekly sale, was center table every Saturday for years & loved all the folks involved. Don also spent many afternoons relaxing with his prized Maine Coon, Kit-Kat, curled in his lap, enjoying nearly daily visits from his Bangor kids, Jimmy and Julie and video-chats with his Jersey family.

Don was predeceased by his beloved wife, JoAnn. Don’s care, advocacy and love for Sweet Mary Jo through a prolonged end of life illness were inspirational. His memory will be forever cherished by his surviving sister Gwen Pearsall of Lady Lake, FL, and his children: Janice (Richard) Schank of Edgewater Park, NJ, Laura (Jack) Hegyi of Atco, NJ, Rita Munson of Edgewater Park, NJ, Sheila (Vincent) Piccone of Voorhees, NJ, James (Lisa) Grindle of Brewer, ME, Julie (Steve) McClarie of Bangor, ME, and Eric (June) Grindle of Alpharetta, GA. Don leaves behind grandchildren: Stephen Yost, Alex Schank, Brad (Dazley) Schank, Jeremy Schank, Frank Hegyi, Gina (Lucas) Galey, Richard (Angelina) Curtis, John (Heather) Curtis, Jeffrey McClarie, Jacob McClarie, Ashley McClarie, Jamie (Jesse) Speed, Nicole (Matt Pagnozzi) Spinney, Hope Grindle and Ella Grindle. Also, numerous great-grandchildren brought much joy to Don's later years. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. He will be deeply missed by all.

A memorial celebration of Don's life will be held 2-4pm Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St, Bangor. The family invites all who knew and loved Don to attend. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status. Condolences to the family may be expressed at Brookings-Smith.com.