Donald Joseph Griesbaum's Obituary
Donald Joseph Griesbaum of Lewes, DE, passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at the age of 93. After several months of declining health, Donald passed away peacefully under hospice care with his beloved wife, Shirley and their three children by his side.
Don was born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 29, 1929, to parents Joseph and Eleanor. The seventh of nine children, he did not have the opportunity for a formal education. Don helped provide for his family at a very early age, working odd jobs to pass along his wages to his mother. His work ethic, giving heart, and patriotic spirit led him to serving in the United States Army in 1951 and 1952. He was stationed in Fort Meade prior to deployment to Korea and served as a combat soldier on the front lines.
After his return from Korea, Don had a new year’s date that would be the beginning of a nearly 70 year-long relationship with Shirley Fisher, who became his wife in 1956. They spent their early years of marriage in Levittown, PA and eventually moved to Newtown, PA to raise their family. Don spent most of his working years as a United States Steelworker. He loved keeping up the family’s four-story Victorian home in Newtown and supporting his children in their love of sports and childhood passions. Don and Shirley moved to Lewes, DE in 1997. He continued to enjoy golf and the beach community with his family. Don was a loyal baseball fan watching the Phillies up to his final days. He was generous to a fault, with all but his favorite peanut candies.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by 5 brothers and 3 sisters. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Joanne Griesbaum; his children: Tara Norton, Todd Griesbaum (Tina) and Tracey Griesbaum (Jane Meyer); his grandchildren: Ashlea Anderson (David), Lynsey Kayal (Neil), Liam Norton, and Addison Griesbaum (Cory Kennedy); his great-grandchildren: Aspen and Ace Anderson, Kai Meadows, and Zayne Kayal; his sister-in-law, Laurine Kornetti and her family; and A. Joseph Norton.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 10:00 AM. A chapel committal with military honors will follow the service at 1:00 PM, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE.
People wishing to honor Donald’s lifelong commitment to family, friends and country can make donations to Delaware Commission of Veteran’s Affairs, 802 Silver Lake Boulevard, Robbins Building Suite 100, Dover, DE 19904, or Compassionate Care Hospice, 405 East Marsh Lane, Newport, DE 19804.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3PM THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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