Obituary of Donald Paul Gilmartin

Donald Paul Gilmartin, formerly of Yonkers, NY, more recently of Morris Plains, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 20^th 2023 at Morristown Medical Center, just shy of his 93^rd Birthday. 

Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, Donald has been a resident of Morris Plains for 52 years.  Donald worked for Allied Chemical as an Insurance Benefits Manager until his retirement in 1986.  He was a member of St. Virgil’s Church, Morris Plains.

Donald is predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Ellen Gilmartin (nee Lesnewski) and his brothers Robert and Gerald. He is survived by his 3 devoted daughters; Diane Davidson and her husband Thomas, of Butler, NJ, Susan Bird of Morris Plains, NJ and Carrie Heyboer of Blue Springs, MO. He was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

Donald proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He served as a Radio Operator on the U.S.S. Picking (DD-685), a Fletcher-class destroyer. 

He is a life-long lover of Barbershop and Harmony music. In celebration of his 90^th birthday he attended the Barbershop Convention in Jacksonville, Florida and sang in the All Men Chapter Chorus. His performance can be seen on youtube using the following link. https://youtu.be/E33wPcxhtoA

Visiting will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Virgil’s Church, 250 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains.  Entombment will follow at Holy Rood Mausoleum, Morris Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Barbershop Society (SPEBSQSA) at https://barbershop.org/ to help keep the organization that he loved around for another generation.