Don A. Gay

Don A. Gay

April 07, 1912 - November 19, 2005

Don A. Gay

April 07, 1912 - November 19, 2005

Obituary

Don A. Gay, 93, was born April 7, 1912 in Illinois and passed away November 19, 2005 in Aliso Viejo, California. A business and financial investor for 30 years, Don is survived by his daughters, Sharon Marie Davis and Carolyn Sue O’Connell and her husband, John; sons, Don A. ‘Bud’ Gay and his wife, Angela and Frederick Deiro ‘Rick’ Gay and his wife, Kasia; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

No Events & Services

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

14 responses to Don A. Gay

  1. I am sorry to hear of the passing of Papa Don. He was more than a loving Father or Papa; He was a Teacher, Mentor, Business Advisor, Wise Counselor, Respected Friend, Pillar of Faith and most importantly the Patriarch of the Gay family. He will be greatly missed.
    I know years have passed by since I last saw him but I have many happy childhood memories of Papa Don and I would like to share a treasured few. One of them is summer swimming in Papa Don’s and Grammies pool in Downey. All the cousins would come to play in the pool. It was a kids dream pool. It had a diving board AND a slide! Even though the creepy crawly freaked us out with its “tentacles” we always had so much fun there. He even let us pick avocados off his giant avocado tree. Then, I did not appreciate what they were,they were green – like vegetables yuck!,.but now I realize it was a guacamole goldmine! Papa would get in that custom bar and do his thing,.and if we did not like the food served, Grammie would make us her peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a thin spread of margarine on it. To this day, I like it that way
    My fondest memory though is his Christmas tradition. Christmas would not be the Christmas without Papa Don’s Italian Bagna Cauda. While I was growing up, we had many joyous Christmas Eves in our home with all the entire Gay family. But we did not dare touch the Bagna Cauda until Papa Don and Grammie arrived. Then, Dad, Papa Don, Uncle Joe, Uncle John and Uncle Ron would do their “taste tests” first and then announce it was ready. Yes! You could smell it cooking 6 houses down and that the garlic smell lingered in the house for 2 weeks afterwards and continued to seep through your pores for additional week,.. but it is worth it. What a wonderful and powerful legacy he has for left us and for future generations. To this day, Papa Dons Bagna Cauda continues to be made in my home each Christmas. This Christmas we will serve it in his honor.
    Papa Don was a great advisor. When he spoke, you listened. I remember every detail of our last visit. His advise to me then? Well, he told me that since I was the oldest, it was my responsibility to look after my two younger brothers all my life. He gave me a big bear hug and left in his Lincoln Continental. To this day, I still look after my brothers,.even though they may not like it too much.
    Papa Don has reunited with Grammie in heaven, but he has left me with me some wonderful memories. I thank him.

    Christie Bartusick

  2. Our prayers and condolences go out to Carolyn and her entire family.

  3. Don Rozas says:

    We are so sorry to here about Uncle Don, He was a great man. I have alot of great memories with Uncle Don and Aunt Betty. My best memory is all the great pool parties we had at the Downey house, and how PERFECT his front lawn always looked. He will be greatly missed. Love Don,Kim,Michael,Kevin,Megan Rozas

  4. Carolyn. I am so sorry for your lose but if you are anything like your father and he like you, he most likely enjoyed life to the fullest. May the Lord bless you and your family with his peace while you miss him so, I am sure. Love Gabby :

Reply to a Condolence Cancel reply

Choose a Candle