Obituary of Donald Terrance Sheldon

Donald Terrance Sheldon, Sr. passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the age of 90, following a brief illness.

Donald was born to parents, Marie Sheldon (nee Eckert) and Frank Robert Sheldon on October 28, 1932, at St. Ann's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Before the age of 5, Donald and his mother moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Marie was born and raised as a child. Raising a child in a single-family home proved to be difficult for Marie, as such, Donald was placed in foster care through the Angel Guardian Home for Little Children, where more than 1,000 children were placed in foster care at the time. Donald spent several wonderful years with the Flynn family of Ozone Park, New York, whom he spoke fondly of throughout his life. In 1940, his mother Marie married David Hintel, shortly thereafter, Donald was reunited with his mother, Marie, and introduced to his stepfather, David. In 1943, Donald's half-brother, David John Hintel, was born.

In 1950, at the age of 17, Donald enlisted as a Private in the United States Marine Corps. It was here that Donald learned the motto, "Semper Fidelis", or "Always Faithful". A motto Donald incorporated into his daily life until the day of his death. Following his training on Parris Island, SC, Donald was off to Korea to serve in the war. In March 1951, at the age of 18, Donald was wounded in action and spent several months in a hospital in Japan before returning to the U.S. as a decorated soldier and Purple Heart Recipient. Donald finished his career as a Staff Sergeant in the USMC in Brooklyn, New York where he met the love of his life, Anna May Lilienthal. In military circles, Donald Terry Sheldon was an honorable man who loved the Corps and donated generously to their causes throughout his life.

Donald and Anna May were instantly smitten with one another and married on November 1, 1954 at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Brooklyn, New York. Their wedding song was, "Too Young", by Nat King Cole. It wasn't too long after their wedding that they welcomed the first of their 11 children, Donald Jr., followed by, Patricia, James, Kathleen, Maureen, Mary Jane, Nancy, Michael, Timothy, Christopher, and Jennifer. Donald and family lived in Bushwick, East Flatbush, and finally, Marine Park, where he resided for the past 43 years.

Donald often worked 2 or 3 jobs per day to keep food on the table for his growing family, in doing so, he became quite the handyman. It was not uncommon to see Donald working on his car on Avenue D of the Little Flower Parish by swapping an engine from one vehicle to another so that his family would have reliable transportation. In the early 1970's, Donald started his employment with Local One, where he worked as a Mechanic with the Otis Elevator Company before retiring in 1994. Donald was always mechanically inclined and rarely gave up on a repair. If you ever needed a tool or advice, Donald was there to help.

While living on Avenue D, Donald and his friends started the "Hooples". The Hooples consisted of Donald and his friends, Al, Eddie, and Carmine, who were often hanging out in front of Al's Radio Store. Their dues were saved and contributed to their Friday night dinners at Beefsteak Charlies. While Donald rarely had free time for anything other than work or family, this was a great distraction from the day-to- day grind, and he had many great laughs with the Hooples.

Above everything else, Donald was a devoted husband and father. Following a long illness, his wife, Anna May passed away in 2000. In the years prior to her death, Donald was ever the doting husband and attended to all of her needs, clearly fulfilling his marriage vows. In the 23 years since Anna May's passing, Donald never skipped a beat, making sure that every one of his children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren received a card or gift for their birthday and Christmas. Splitting time between his home in Marine Park or riding shotgun with his best buddy, his son, Jimmy, at Jimmy's Lake Wallenpaupack home, where he had a few nice toys to play with, such a snowmobile and boat.

Donald is survived by his children, son, Donald Jr (Linda (daughter-in law), Eva (granddaughter), Terrence (grandson); daughter, Patricia Nuber (Greg (son-in-law), Greg Jr. (grandson), Alison (granddaughter); son, James; daughter, Kathleen Ball (Donald (son-in-law), Donald III (grandson), Chris (grandson), Lauren (granddaughter); daughter, Maureen Fox (Alan (son-in-law), Ashley (granddaughter), Steven (grandson), Kristen (granddaughter), daughter, Mary Jane Barone (Dominick (son-in-law), Colleen (granddaughter), Sabrina (granddaughter); son, Michael (Anne (daughter-in-law), Matthew (grandson), Samantha (granddaughter); son, Timothy (Eleni (daughter-in-law), Phoebe (granddaughter), Connor (grandson); son, Christopher (Lisa (daughter-in-law), Christopher George (grandson), Victoria (granddaughter); and daughter, Jennifer Weid (Tom (son-in-law), Julianne (granddaughter), Kate (granddaughter). As well as the spouses of his grandchildren; Lauren, Rachel, Desiree, Emeka, Shauna, and 12 great-grandchildren; Ella, Charlotte, Cole, Blair, Patrick, Sophia, Mason, Maverick, Sidney, Ethan, Olivia, and Sophia Amber.

Donald is preceded in death by his wife, Anna May Sheldon (nee, Lilienthal) (2000), daughter, Nancy Sheldon (2015), and Stepbrother, David Hintel (2019).

Donald will be remembered for his ability to rise against life's challenges, his commitment to the Corps, and most notably, the wonderful family legacy that he leaves behind to carry on in his absence.

Forever In Our Hearts

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 9 from 2:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 at Marine Park Funeral Home, Inc., 3024 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 10 at Good Shepherd R.C. Church, 1950 Batchelder Street, Brooklyn, NY with Father Peter officiating.

Burial to immediately follow in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Donald's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.