Donald Grant Fleck, passed away June 12, 2022 at the age of 88.  He was born on September 19, 1933, in Danville PA, the first child of R. Grant and Alma Smith Fleck.  His sister Patricia Ann (Pat) was born in 1935.  Don's father worked as a metallurgical engineer in Youngstown, OH and then Oil City, PA.  When Don was about 13, his Dad was transferred by J & L Mining Co to Star Lake, NY.  Don made many lifelong friends there including Roy Djuvik, Feet, Cecil Hazelton (Dooley) and Eddie Jessmer.  It was Eddie who motivated Don to learn guitar and led him to a lifelong love of bluegrass music.

Don graduated from Clifton Fine HS, in Star Lake, in 1951 and enrolled in chemical engineering at Cornell University.  He stayed at Cornell for 2 years and then transferred to his father's alma mater, Penn State, where he graduated with a metallurgy degree.  While working summers at the J & L Mines during college, he met Gloria Helene Magavero, a student at Albany State Teacher's College.  Gloria was working summers at the Star Lake Inn.  Don and Gloria married on September 10, 1956.  In October of that same year, Don was drafted into the army and entered basic training at Fort Dix.  He was assigned to the Watertown Arsenal in MA.  After 2 years of active duty, he continued on at the Arsenal as a civilian.  Don and Gloria's four daughters were born during his time at the Arsenal:  Kathy (1957), Barbara (1959), Kristy (1960) and Sharon (1961).  In 1962, Don's boss from his Army days, Dick Chandley, invited him to interview for a job at TRW in Minerva OH.  Don and Gloria and kids moved to Alliance OH and Don started what would be a 44½ year stint at TRW (which later became PCC).

In his free time, Don was often playing bluegrass music with Eddie and Jewell Jessmer, Vi Gamble, Gary Brotherton and many others.  He also played at the folk Mass at Regina Coeli for several years. Don retired from PCC in June 2007.   He continued to play music, garden, paint, and read.  He had a passion for Civil War history.  Don was preceded in death by his mother, Alma (1985), his father, R. Grant (1972), his sister Pat (2019), his wife Gloria (2017), and his daughter Kathy (1992).  He is survived by his three daughters: Barbara (Jarlath), Kristy (Stan), and Sharon (Randy); 8 grandchildren: Jason (Dana), Zach, Allison (Josh), Molly, Chelsea, Noah, Malachi, and Zoe; and 3 great grandchildren: Owen, Aidan, and Isabella.  The family would like to thank his favorite caregivers, Tracy and Kim.  He loved you dearly.  Also thank you to Tom Bishop, Bill Laubacher, Sam Rettman, and Hope Ferrell for their friendship.

Don's funeral service will be held at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Minerva on Friday, June 17, at 11 AM. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the church basement.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Covenant House New York, one of Don's favorite non-profit organizations, at 460 West 41 Street, New York, NY 10036, or to your local animal shelter.  Those unable to attend and are wishing to share their condolences may sign the online register book at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.