Donald Allen Durrua

Donald Allen Durrua, 88, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, passed away on June 15, 2025. A man of remarkable intellect, unwavering character, and unforgettable stories, Don touched the lives of all who knew him.
Born on August 23, 1936, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Donald lived a life filled with purpose, love, and service. A graduate of Keyport High School in 1953, he was an avid rower, a passion he continued to pursue at Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering and rowed as a member of the university's esteemed crew team, graduating in 1957. He later served his country with honor as a proud United States Army sharp shooter from 1958 to 1964. Following his military service, Donald led an extremely successful career at DuPont de Nemours from 1957 to 1990. He ended his career at Dupont as the plant manager of the Parlin plant which was part of the photo products division. Throughout his career, he was sent abroad on business to Japan, England, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Through these travels, he made friends and memories across the globe.
Donald was the devoted husband of the late Doris Anne (Reed) Durrua. Together, they built a life centered around love, family, and shared dreams. He was a proud family man, deeply committed to those he loved. He is survived by his beloved children: Elizabeth Lindner and her husband Scott Lindner of Naples, Florida; Robert Durrua and his wife Mary Lynn (Coleman) Durrua of San Marcos, California; and Edward Durrua and his wife Dana (Johnson) Durrua of Oakdale, Connecticut. He is also survived by his treasured grandchildren: Kathryn Lindner of Dallas, Texas; Kelle Durrua of San Diego, California; and Matthew Durrua of Glastonbury, Connecticut; and his great-grandson, Benjamin Durrua.
Donald was predeceased by his wife, Doris (Reed) Durrua, and his parents, Harold Durrua and Annette (Tyrell) Durrua and brother Willard Durrua.
A lifelong learner, Donald had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for knowledge. He especially loved researching family history and spent countless hours on genealogy projects, connecting generations and preserving the stories of those who came before. He was meticulous in his record keeping, tracing ancestors as far back as the 1400s.
In addition to his love of genealogy, he enjoyed woodworking on his jigsaw. He often made thoughtful projects for his grandchildren, such as puzzles and personalized signs. He was also an avid Yankees fan, tuning in to almost every game. He loved watching talent and singing competition shows, especially when the performers were from New Jersey. He also enjoyed watching professional bowling.
Those closest to Donald knew him as the smartest man in the room - a gifted storyteller whose tales were as vivid as they were heartfelt. His stories ranged from traveling mishaps, such as the time his plane didn't have enough fuel to reach Tokyo but had too much fuel to return to Seattle - forcing them to circle while dumping fuel because Canadian airspace was closed - to meetings with legendary comedians like Milton Berle and attending glamorous Hollywood parties. His favorite stories, however, were always about the accomplishments of his family, proudly paired with photos from his iPad. He stayed current and tech-savvy, engaging actively on Facebook and Instagram, and even learned modern slang to connect with his grandchildren - his photos were "DOPE!" as he loved to say. His wisdom, humor, and kindness left an enduring legacy that will be remembered and cherished by generations to come.
A service to celebrate Donald's life will be held at Holmdel Funeral Home on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with services to follow. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather in remembrance of a truly extraordinary man.
He was so loved. His stories, his spirit, and his strength live on in all of us.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Donald Durrua. Your contribution will help support critical research and care for those affected by this disease. Donations can be made online at www.alz.org or mailed to:
Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601