Donald Lawrence Lemmon Obituary

Donald Lawrence Lemmon was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 4, 1944 to Isabel and James Lemmon. He is the proud Pop Pop to Connor, Isabel, Myles and Matthew, loving father/father-in-law to Dawn and Mike Delpha & Danielle and Stephen Zapotoczny, brother to Larry, Tommy, Jimmy and Richie Lemmon, and brother-in-law and uncle to many in the Lemmon and McKenna clans. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dee, and sister, Carol.

A proud graduate of the school of hard knocks and USMC, he traveled the world - from Greece and Italy to the Panama Canal - as a young rebellious Marine before taking a job in data processing at Grolier Publishing Company in Manhattan. His career took him to Connecticut where he and Dee raised their two daughters and became active members of the New Milford community and Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church. In his later years, Don worked at Kimberly-Clark and The Feed Barn where he became a mentor to many. He was a lifelong sports fan and always found time to root on his beloved NY Mets and NY Jets even though they rarely loved him back. After losing Dee, he moved to Durham, North Carolina where he taught Myles and Matthew how to bet the over/under, cheered on Duke, and was a regular at the Hope Valley Diner.

Don had an innate way with people and truly never met a stranger. His generous spirit, unconditional love, judgment-free counsel, ability to always see the best version of a person and above all, his unique sense of humor have left a mark on all of us. For his chosen family, there could be no stronger supporter, no better shoulder to cry on, no better place to come for a guiding hand or trusted advice. Pop Pop to many and a joker to all, he kidded for years that his grave should simply read - “He lived. He lied. He died.”

Resilient in the face of a lung cancer diagnosis, quadruple bypass and, ultimately a long battle with lung fibrosis, he kept the sparkle in his eye and brought humor always. Coming out of his lung cancer surgery… he asked for a cigarette… with a straight face. He fought a long, hard fight to stay with us these last years and in his last hours, he asked that we thank all of the incredible doctors, physician assistants, nurses and medical staff who walked with him on his journey. In that light, we ask that donations be made to Duke Hospital where he made many friends and brought laughter to many a hospital room and doctor’s office as he parted ways by saying his usual farewell of “I’ll be suing you.”

As he would close every conversation, “Love you more.”