Don Kolasa

Don Kolasa was a hardworking, fun-loving family man, who devoted his life to serving his country, his community, and most of all, his family. He was a proud veteran, a loyal auto worker, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Don was a good man with a great life, a life we were so lucky to share. Dons story began on a cold fall day in 1934, as the pumpkins were carved in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were difficult times in this country, during the dark days of the Great Depression. Yet on October 30, 1934, Stephen and Amelia (Lescinsky) Kolasa had a special treat before that Halloween, with the birth of a baby boy they named Don. Dons parents were hardworking people, with his dad a loyal employee of Continental Motors, and his mom working at Muskegon Piston Ring. They were of proud Polish descent, and a very close family, as well. Though Don was an only child, his Grandma lived just two doors away, where so many holidays were spent, and where he had a safe haven from his mothers discipline! Don was a very mischievous young boy, from shooting at the ornaments on the Christmas tree with a bb gun, to throwing eggs at passing cars, including police cars, too! He was a fearless, feisty young boy, and trouble sometimes seemed to have a way of finding him. Don enjoyed good, clean fun, too, from playing the accordion, to playing with his huge train set in the basement, or playing ball in the alley with all his childhood friends. Don grew up with a good group of friends, many of whom were lifelong buddies. They enjoyed going roller skating, over to Hess Lake, or to dances, wherever they could find girls! Sometimes Don would hitchhike around town, or jump the train on the tracks by their house and head into downtown Muskegon. He wasnt all play and no work, however. He attended Muskegon Heights Schools, and was a proud Heights Tiger. When he wasnt in school, he worked part time at his aunt and uncles store, Tonys Market, helping him save up and buy the beautiful 1939 Ford Coupe Deluxe he loved so much. After high school, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He was stationed at the Brunswick Naval Air Base in Brunswick, Maine, where he met a beautiful young woman by the name of Grace Ann Clark. She was to become his bride while he finished his commitment to his country. They married on September 17, 1955 in Maine, thus beginning a long and beautiful life together. After Dons service ended six months later, the newlyweds moved to Muskegon Heights, living in an apartment above his parents house. They adapted to life in Muskegon well, and made great, lifelong friends with Chuck and Bev Devenport. They also started their happy family there, as well, with the birth of their beautiful baby girl Cindy, in 1957. Don wanted to go back to school to study printing, so the family packed up and moved to Big Rapids, where he attended Ferris State College. There they welcomed their son Steve, who rounded out the happy family in 1959. When Don graduated from Ferris, they moved once again, to the Detroit suburb of Lincoln Park, where they finally put down roots and remained for the next 31 years. They bought their first home there, a beautiful family haven at 4108 Lafayette. Don was an excellent, hardworking provider for his family, and found a good job working at Ford Motor Company. Don worked the second shift, so his wife and children were careful to be quiet while he slept during the day, before going to work later in the afternoon. He was a very precise, meticulous man, who had his schedule (and everything else) down to a science. He kept his cars perfectly polished, and the house was spotless, as well. His family was always his top priority, though, and he always made time for them. Don also loved his dogs, Heidi, Pepper, Misty and Cassie, who were a part of the family, as well. In 1981, Don became a proud grandparent for the first time, with the birth of his grandson Rob. Randy joined the family in 1983, and Don and Ann loved doting on their grandkids, relishing their roles as Grammie and Jaja. In 1991, Don and Ann took their well-deserved retirement, and moved back to the sandy shores of West Michigan, building a beautiful new home in Grand Haven. Don and Ann shared a wonderful retirement, even buying a large RV to travel all over together. They went to NASCAR races, and spent some time each winter in Florida and Texas, too. Don loved being back in West Michigan, and he picked up as though he never left. They became members of St. Patricks Catholic Church, went for cruises on the Milwaukee Clipper, and Don loved spending time with all his old pals. The proud veteran also joined the F.O.E., the American Legion, and the VFW, too. He was a very patriotic man, and made sure his kids had flagpoles at their homes. He loved having his family visit them, and enjoyed taking his grandkids to Wendys for some breakfast or a Frosty. Don also made wonderful malteds and sundaes. He enjoyed eating ice cream, and shared that fondness with his kids and grandkids. Don dearly loved the last 16 years, living in Grand Haven with his beloved bride Ann. It was love at first sight for them all those years before, and their marriage was more than special. Sadly, in 2008, the couple was traveling in South Carolina, when Ann became ill, and cancer was diagnosed. A short time after they came home, she sadly passed away on Monday, April 28, 2008. Don was understandably devastated, and missed her terribly. Then on Friday, May 30, 2008, he passed unexpectedly at his home, reuniting with his beloved wife. He was 73. Don was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life. A life full of hard work, beautiful family and so many fond memories. He was a fun-loving family man, a proud veteran and a loyal, lifelong friend. Most of all, Don was a good man with a good life, and a gift to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Don is survived by his mother, Amelia Kolasa of Grand Haven, his son, Steve (Staci) Kolasa of Warren, MI; daughter, Cindy Diemand of Ohio; 2 grandsons, Robert (Sarah) Diemand of Ohio, Randy Diemand of Ohio; aunt & uncle, Pauline & John Gawkowski of North Muskegon; several nieces & nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Stephen; wife, Grace. Services are scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2008, 10:00 AM, at St. Patricks Catholic Church of Grand Haven with Fr. William Langlois officiating. Interment at Lakeshore Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM, at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Patricks Church or your local AMVETS. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.