Don J. Arrabit

1926 - 2019

Don J. Arrabit
Don J. Arrabit passed away of natural causes on January 12, 2019, at his Santa Rosa home with his children at his bedside. At 92 years of age, Don lived a very independent active life with a very sharp mind and warm demeanor.
Born on May 6, 1926, in Stockton, CA to French Basque immigrants Marie Esponde and Martin Arrabit, they lived nomadically, traveling from Auburn to Bakersfield by covered wagon tending 1000 sheep. Don was very proud of his Basque heritage and spoke only the native language until the age of six. In 1931, his dad lost everything in the Great Depression. After this tragedy, Don and his mother survived with the help of her sister Mary Jane who ran a hotel in the Pittsburg/Antioch area. While helping to run the hotel, Don's mother met and married the true love of her life, John Marsi, an Italian immigrant. Don always considered "Papa Pia" to be his father.
As a young teen, Don attended Richmond HS and graduated from Santa Rosa HS in 1944. Like many of his generation, he immediately enlisted in the Navy to serve his country during World War II. Initially assigned to a Seabees Construction Battalion on a remote Pacific island, he quickly requested and was granted a transfer to a large troopship. While ferrying up to 5,000 Marines to and from various Pacific war theaters, Don honed his poker skills to pass time and interact with fellow servicemen on the ship. Playing cards, Bridge and poker, would become a lifelong social outlet. During this time, he also witnessed extreme poverty and starvation at many destinations. He was always impressed with how these counties, especially China, achieved such economic gains in current times.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Don attended Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) and UC Berkeley pharmacy school on the GI Bill. Thanks to poker winnings, Don purchased a new Dodge convertible, one of the first post-war autos as industries converted to civilian economies. Like many returning World War II veterans, Don considered these years carefree and joyous.
It was during these joyous times that Don first met a sweet, beautiful 16-year-old Nina Vorobey who would ultimately become his soul mate. Like himself, Nina was a first generation American who was born to Russian immigrants in 1934. An endless source of family laughter, Don's first date with Nina was a deer hunting afternoon on his parent's ranch in the Healdsburg area. Despite such a "romantic" introduction, Don continued to court Nina for the next four years, ultimately winning her hand in a 1954 marriage. The family ranch was sold in 1952, to purchase Brookside Terrace Market, a small grocery store on Sonoma Avenue which was then the outskirts of Santa Rosa. As a young married couple, Don and Nina operated the market and lived above in one of the apartment units. There they welcomed their first child daughter Tamara. After settling into their permanent Santa Rosa home, they welcomed their son Mark and then soon after daughter Svetlana.
One of last "mom and pop" grocery stores, Don operated the market for 31 years. He was especially proud of his produce and made many friends during these years. While a demanding business, Don always made time and attended his children's school events. He was a big supporter of Santa Rosa High School and SRJC and loved the fact that he and Nina, as well as their children, graduated from both schools.
Selling the market in 1983, Don and Nina spent the next 29 plus years traveling the world, visiting all continents and made 63 major foreign trips. With all their worldwide travels, though, Don and Nina would always say that their favorite trip was their first visit to Disneyland with their young children. Don and Nina also spent many years of enjoyment playing golf on beautiful courses throughout Northern California. Don and Nina were also expert Bridge players, even winning the Regional Northern California Duplicate Open Pair Championship in Santa Rosa during their younger years.
Don was a member of various club/groups throughout his life, most notably, Sonoma County Grocer's Association, Druids, Bennett Valley Golf group, SIR Branch 17, poker groups and his "Old Timers" lunch group. Besides card playing, traveling and golf, his other hobbies included gardening, following his stocks and keeping abreast of world affairs. Most recently, he continued to find great enjoyment playing poker three days a week with the "young guys". Special thanks to Ray and Gary for helping make this possible.
After Nina's death in 2012, Don found a special and comforting companionship with Nancy Diez. Don and Nina had been lifelong friends with Nancy and her husband Raul, who had passed away months before Nina. Don and Nancy enjoyed many years together, socializing with their mutual friends, reminiscing about their Santa Rosa memories, dining together regularly and enjoying long Sunday drives. Don always said that Nancy was a life savior for him and helped ease the grief of losing his dear wife, Nina.
After his death, Don's kids found the following note within his paperwork, "Your mother and I had the best possible life together and had no complaints but as the old song goes…Those Were the Days My Friends, I Thought They Would Never End…"
Don is preceded in death by his wife, Nina; sister, Grace Lindquist; and niece, Linda Andrew. Don is survived by his daughter Tamara (Roy) Spivey, son Mark Arrabit and daughter Lana (Jeff) Carlson. Seven grandchildren, Leanna (Michael) Worch; Damon Libolt; Olivia and Domenic Arrabit; and Reni, Julia and Alexander Carlson; nephews Eric and Dave Lindquist and their families; great-niece Maxine Andrew, other extended family members and his dear friend Nancy Diez.
According to Don's wishes, his funeral/memorial will be private for family only. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Santa Rosa High School Foundation (P.O. Box 11006, Santa Rosa, CA, 95406) or your favorite charity, if desired.