Donald Wallingford Pease Jr.

Donald Wallingford Pease Jr., of Kittery, Maine, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the age of 98. Don was born on March 31, 1927, in Kittery, the oldest of six children born to Donald and Ruby Pease.

He graduated from York High School in 1945, where he was class president. In June 1945, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as Storekeeper 3rd Class (USNR) aboard the USS Fort Marion (LSS‑22) during the final stages of World War II. After his service, he attended the University of Maine.

Don began his career as a draftsman for Claristat in Dover, New Hampshire. He advanced to senior draftsman, then department head. His next move was to Fairfax, Virginia. In 1960, he relocated with his family to Florida, settling in Orlando, where he worked as a mechanical engineer for Martin Marietta until retiring at age 62.

In 1990, Don and his wife Chris moved to Englewood Beach, Florida, and made it their home. They joined the Gulf To Bay Park community, where Don played a central role in its growth and development for 32 years. He contributed to many projects and built strong friendships within the community.

After retiring, Don and Chris traveled to close to 40 states and parts of Canada in RVs and trailers. After Chris’s passing, Don continued traveling on his own until age 90, after which he stayed in Florida year-round. In 2022, just before Hurricane Ian, he moved back to Orlando to live with Mike and Caroline, where he remained until his passing.

Don truly had a green thumb and loved sharing his gardening knowledge, some of which passed down from his namesake father. He filled the park and many friends’ gardens with blooms. There wasn’t a seed he couldn’t coax into sprouting or a cutting he couldn’t propagate. He enjoyed golf, reading, writing, music, and entertaining. Always generous with his time and talents, he could fix anything and engineered solutions to every need. His hand carved woodworking are timeless treasures for his great-grandchildren.

He loved cooking and enjoyed life and people. He was a one-man karaoke party and often managed both the songs and the grill. He valued detail, routine, and lived with purpose and joy.

He was preceded in death by his son David, his wife Chris, his parents Donald and Ruby, his brother Edgar, and his sisters Beverly and Cynthia.

He is survived by his son Michael and wife Caroline; son Larry; granddaughter Shannon Roberts and her husband Paul; great-grandchildren Jacob and Madelyn; stepson David Powell and wife Kathy; their sons Eric and Corey; great-grandson Carson; his brother David; sister Sally Munro; and many nieces and nephews.

His final place of rest will be in York, Maine, alongside his mother, father, sisters and brother. Details about the service will be shared when available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any veterans' organization in Don’s honor.