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Donald Willens Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Willens
Arnie Stanton
June 20, 2021
Don and I played together in band at South High in Torrance, CA. I graduated a few years before him. When Don graduated, he approached me with the idea of starting our our band. At the time, I was focusing more on getting through engineering at CSULB, and sadly, I happened to be the furthest away I ever was from music. I can only imagine how things might have been different, but I have to believe G-d had other plans. I was so pleased to find out later that he was playing in a great band, Lone Justice. And of course I was so shocked to have heard his early departure from this world. I wanted to write this to let everyone know that he greatly enjoyed playing drums with me in our high school band.
Arnie Stanton
June 20, 2021
Don and I played together in band at South High in Torrance, CA. I graduated a few years before him. When Don graduated, he approached me with the idea of starting our our band. At the time, I was focusing more on getting through engineering at CSULB, and sadly, I happened to be the furthest away I ever was from music. I can only imagine how things might have been different, but I have to believe G-d had other plans. I was so pleased to find out later that he was playing in a great band, Lone Justice. And of course I was so shocked to have heard his early departure from this world. I wanted to write this to let everyone know that he greatly enjoyed playing drums with me in our high school band.
Doug Willens
January 8, 2007
I just wanted to say that Donnie's birthday was last Saturday the 6th and that I miss him alot, SNIFF, SNIFF.
Kevin Keinert
December 13, 2006
I only met Don recently when we made a game trade. I could tell that he was very pasionate about our mutual interest (that being arcade games). I am very sorry to hear of his passing, however I truly believe that he is now in a better place and that we will join him some day. So long for now Don, we will talk again.
Michele McMillan
October 16, 2006
Dear Doug I wish to express my condloenes to you and your family.Our throughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.May your memories bring you comfortYou are in our hearts love Marsha and Gill Staring Albany New York
michele mcmillan
October 11, 2006
My Dearest friend Doug and Mrs Willens and Lori Iam very sorry for your losses.All of you are in my heart and in my prays.As a family you have been through so much and this I am sorry for.My God keep you strong and bless you all.Your Loving Friend Michele from Troy New York.
Don's and his coupe
September 28, 2006
Don, Lori and Elvis, renewal of wedding vows and 15th wedding anniversary
September 28, 2006
Don, Lori, Anton, Mike, and Michele, renewal of wedding vows and 15th wedding anniversary
September 28, 2006
Christine Margiotta
September 24, 2006
This is a difficult thing to start. I can say, that I was privileged to meet such a wonderful man in San Francisco back in 1995. I was a art student, who happened to walk into his store one day. We clicked immediately. Don, you were a great friend to me. You introduced me to your lovely wife Lori and from then on, you both encouraged me to become a better artist and a better person. You made such a huge impact in my life. I will mess your directness in advising me on my art projects and life. You are a true friend and I am happy to keep you both in my heart forever. Thank you for being my friend.
Sonja Neermann
September 24, 2006
Dearest Doug, my dear Mrs. Willens, and everyone else in the Willens family,
I am so sorry to hear about your great loss, first of Dad Willens and now of Don. I met Don in 1985, when my best friend Katrina and I were cruising California while Doug was staying in Germany with the Californian Programm. Don invited us to stay at his place, took us to the nightclub where he played with his band and to other interesting sights. We had a wonderful time thanks to him! I share your sorrow and my heart goes out to you!
Brad Grant
September 23, 2006
To Lori and the rest of the family, I pray that you come to focus and
enjoy
the memories of Don sooner than later. He was a very generous person
and
perrson you could count on. He introduced me to pinball and I thank him
for
that!
Don, I miss you. Thanks for being a buddy.
Brad
Bill Butterfield
September 23, 2006
I had heard recently that Don was ill but it was still a great shock to hear that he had passed away. I will miss Don a lot, he was a good friend and helped me solve problems about arcade machines in the past. I helped him out over the years with jukebox parts that he needed from time to time but he was more than just a customer to me. He was a friend who I could turn to when wanting to know about rare arcade games.
Andrea Solis
September 21, 2006
Doug, Lori, and all the Willens,
I'm so sorry to hear about Don and Dad Willens, my heart goes out to the entire family. Don and Dad were both amazing people and I'm fortunate to have known them.
Clay Harrell
September 21, 2006
It was a shock to hear of Don's passing. Though I didn't know Don well, he was well-known in the Coin-op Arcade game collecting community. He will be missed.
Don dancing with his friend Joe's sons, Taylor and Patrick Newhart
Joe, Judi, Taylor, and Patrick Newhart
September 20, 2006
Don, i'm gonna miss my arcade buddy. What a great guy and a great friend you became to me and my family. Our common love for these arcade games got us together, but our friendship went well beyond the hobby. I was so happy to be able to come and visit with you and Lori last July in San Francisco, you were both such gracious hosts to my entire family. We had a wonderful time and you really treated us like family. You made me laugh more times than I can remember. I will miss our frequent phone calls to chat dearly. I told Lori this past week that alot of us waste our time we have, but you never did, even with your medical ailments you always had a great attitude. We've put this picture of you and my boys dancing when we visited with you last year. To me it's a prefect picture of what a great friend you were to all of us. We've placed this picture in one of our games we bought from you and my son said, 'Now when we play it we can think of Don'... and we will !
DAYLE CLICK
September 19, 2006
Doug - Lori and the rest of the Willens Family .....
I am Connie's mother and I want to express my heartfelt sorrow and grief, for all of you.
My knowing Donnie was such a short time .... but what a lasting memory. I know you also have cherished memories of him that will last forever. You are all in my prayers .... may God bless and care for you.
Susi and Bruce
September 19, 2006
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
sylvia pierson
September 19, 2006
We are so sorry to hear of Donalds passing. Our memories of Donald and all the Willens family is always with us and it hurts to hear that Donald is no longer here on earth, but his sprit will aways be with us with great memories. Love to all the family.
Sylvia Pierson and Dean, Stacey and Russell and their families.
Ilana Gafni
September 18, 2006
To Doug and the Willens family,
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. I am so sorry I was unable to attend the memorial service on Friday.
FRANK FARRELL
September 18, 2006
Sorry for your loss.
Regards,
Frank & Catherine
Billy and Lorie Mazzio
September 17, 2006
To The Willens Family,
Billy and I were sorry to hear of the passing of both Spencer and Don. You are all in our prayers.
Todd Garber
September 17, 2006
Although I lost contact with Don many years ago, he often came up in conversation with family and South High friends. After all these years, we still can't tell stories about Don without smiles and uncontrollable laughter. He was definitely one of a kind.
God Bless you, Don
The whole Willens tribe, plus dogs.
September 17, 2006
Don and Lori.
September 17, 2006
September 17, 2006
Don, Mom, Dad & Lori
September 17, 2006
Don with Uncle Shelby.
September 17, 2006
Don driving the Triumph with big brother Doug navigating
September 17, 2006
Don and his daughter Nichole
September 17, 2006
Don and Lori on their wedding day.
September 17, 2006
Don and his Dad.
September 17, 2006
September 17, 2006
Betty-Jo (Barnes) Ravitz
September 15, 2006
It was a shock to hear of Donnie's death, and I learned of it too late to attend this morning's ceremonies. I'm happy to know that he used his talent for percussion all his life! My condolences to you all (Hello, twins!)!
With many memories of Newton Band days!
Betty-Jo (Barnes) Ravitz, T.U.S.D. Instrumental Music, retired
eileen castelli
September 15, 2006
Dear Lori, Doug and Family,
Our hearts are with all of you during this sad time. May the laughter and memories of Donnie bring comfort to you all in the days and weeks to come. We will always smile when we think of Donnie, our lives are so much richer for having known him.
Love, Eileen and Steve Castelli (Connie's sister)
Denice Willens
September 15, 2006
I am so sorry that I could not be there today. I have many fond memories of Don and will hold them close to my heart. Lori, always know we will take good care of you(that would be Donnie's wish). Of course, no one can place you on the pedestal that he did, but know we love you just as much.
May God Bless you at this time.
Much love
your sister-in-law, Denice, Mike, Tyler, Ryan and Ellie
staci thompson
September 14, 2006
nothing that is loved is ever lost, and no one who has ever touched a heart can really pass away,
because some beauty lingers on in each memory of which they have been a part.
with my deepest sympathy to all the family
with all my love, staci
Uncle Shelby
September 14, 2006
I think of you often and fondly, dear boy, as I told you when we recently spoke. Angels watch...
Ashley & Scott Carroll (Daughter of Jim and Jo Kelsey)
September 14, 2006
Dear Willens/Miller Families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Aloha Don- you will be missed
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