Donald H. Koch

1937 - 2017

Donald H. Koch, 80, of South Windsor, died unexpectedly on Wednesday November 29, 2017 at his home. He was born on April 7, 1937 in Hartford, CT, son of the late Ralph and Angelina (Tine) Koch. Donald grew up in East Hartford and Bloomfield. He graduated from Bloomfield High School with the Class of 1956. Donald went on to serve in the U.S. Navy, where he was a personal assistant to the Admiral of the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" in Boston. Donald owned and operated Flexible Fixturing Systems Inc., a business he started in the early 80's and operated successfully for 25 years. He was extremely athletic, he was an active skier, and was a Ski Instructor at Killington in Vermont. He loved to boat on the lower CT River and in Long Island Sound. He was a member of the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, and the Newport Yacht Club. Donald was a Harley Davidson rider, loved to refinish furniture and was an all-around craftsman. He was extremely health conscience, enjoyed going to the gym daily, and was known to be a sharp dresser. A kind, caring, and devoted father, grandfather, and friend he will be greatly missed. He leaves his daughters, Laurie K. Bakas and her husband Andrew and Stephanie M. Smith and her husband Andrew, and his grandchildren, Bryan, Kaitlin, Tyler, Jessica, and Connor all of South Windsor. He was predeceased by his brother Ralph Koch. His family will receive friends on Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 3-5 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. Services and burial will be private at the request of his family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association 1 Union St., Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183. Please visit us at www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest book.