Dons love of music came from his close knit family. As a youngster he began singing around the piano with his parents and his nine brothers & sisters. Music was always a part of their lives. When he entered high school he joined the Glee Club as well as the Band where he played the Trumpet. This gave him the opportunity to march in parades throughout the area. He was fortunate enough to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parades in both New Haven as well as New York City. In l951 he was a member of the band that played in Yankee Stadium at half time when the New York Yankees played the San Francisco 49ers. A day that he still remembers fondly. Upon graduating from High School in June 1953 Don joined the Marine Corps where he spent 8 years, one being in Korea. He thought seriously of making a career out of the Corps but in 1961 changed his mind & while stationed in California was Honorably Discharged. He remained there for a while and worked at Disneyland. but soon returned to his roots & family in Connecticut. A career in the banking business was next in his life, spending 20 years at a bank in New Haven. After being

held up twice by armed robbers and staring at the end of a .357 magnum hand gun which was press against his head Don thought it best to change careers. I'm sure everyone would agree it was a wise choice to make. For the next 18 years he worked for the ComCast Cable Co, retiring in the year 2000. Along with singing in his church choir, in 1981 Don joined the City of Elms-Chorus becoming a member of Barbershop Harmony Society . While singing & performing with the chorus he became a member of the quartet, "Soundwaves."  Don sings baritone with our chapter quartet Smooth Blend. Singing throughout the area performing & in competitions for over 14 years. In 1992 he went on to join the Meriden Chapter staying with it when it became the CT Yankee Chorus. In April 2004 Don will have been a member of Barbershop Harmony Society for 24 years. The music he has sung & the friendships he has made is one of the great joys of his life. Singing along side his brother Art and the other guys is a honor & pleasure he hopes will last for the rest of his life.