Donald Arthur Vassallo passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 8, 2024. He was 92 years old, born on June 7, 1932 to the late Domenic and Gladys (Erickson) Vassallo.
Born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut, he spent his youth playing sports with his brothers, delivering papers, caddying at Waterbury Country Club, and working in a local market. He graduated from Crosby High School in 1950. He used the money he made at the market to pay his way through the University of Connecticut, graduating in 1954 with a BA degree in Chemistry. He then earned a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1958. Donald spent his working life as a Research Chemist for DuPont, where he met his future wife, Janet Baker. They were married in 1960, raised 4 kids, and spent decades together traveling around the world, from Europe, China, Egypt, to a safari in southern Africa. But close to home, he had two favorite spots to visit: Brandywine Creek State Park and Fenwick Island, Delaware. Both provided many years of memories for him, his family and his friends.
After retiring from DuPont in 1985, he filled his time with a multitude of hobbies including award winning wood carving, painting, videography, gardening, cooking, skiing, golfing, tennis, bridge, and visiting with friends. Birding and bird carving were particular passions for him. He began birding in the 1960s while living in Orange, Texas working for DuPont, and continued when he moved back to Wilmington, Delaware in 1970. He birded the rest of his life, often building his life list on his travels around the world. His love of birds provided a related hobby of bird carving, mainly songbirds, but also decoys. His talents earned him numerous ribbons at the annual Ward Foundation World Championship in Ocean City, Maryland. Over many years, he carved the official birds of all 50 states. He donated those birds to the Ward Foundation in Salisbury, Maryland, where they now reside.
Don was a lifelong learner, always creative, always curious, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge in teaching sculpture and computer courses at the University of Delaware Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. When he wasn’t pursuing his hobbies you could find him cheering on his favorite teams, the Red Sox, UConn Basketball, and watching many sports including golf, tennis and football.
He and Jan spent their final years at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, enjoying new friends, heading the sound and light committee, and continuing to pursue art interests. They thoroughly enjoyed their time there, and the family would like to thank the Kendal staff for all they did for them.
He is survived by his children, Ellen M. Vassallo, Kathryn F. Vassallo, John G. (Ila) Vassallo, and Ann V. Zaleta. He is also survived by his brother, Franklin (Linda) Vassallo. He was a devoted grandfather of Thomas and Rachel Vassallo, and Nickolas Zaleta.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Janet Baker Vassallo, and brother Roger J. Vassallo. Services will be announced at a later date.
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