Donald James Spelman

Donald James Spelman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on January 5, 2026, in Smithtown, New York, at the age of 85.

Donald was born on August 12, 1940, in Bayshore, New York, the son of Cliff and Bea Spelman. He spent his life rooted in Long Island, living in Babylon, Deer Park and Northport where he became a familiar and respected presence in both the Town of Babylon and the wider community.

Donald was the devoted husband of Dorothy Spelman, with whom he shared a life filled with family, faith, and cherished traditions. He was a proud and loving father to his son DJ Spelman and daughter-in-law Christy, and his daughter Linda Mazziotto and son-in-law Jerry. His greatest joy was being “Grandpa” to Jacqueline, Colin, Dylan, and Nicco, whose lives he followed with unwavering pride and enthusiasm.

He is also survived by his siblings Cliff, Mark, Cathy, Kevin, and Kim, with whom he shared a lifetime of memories, including treasured summers spent in Maine on Long Lake with his mother and siblings—memories he often spoke of fondly.

An active and athletic man, Donald loved tennis, canoeing and kayaking, golf, and swimming in his pool. Tennis held a special place in his heart, particularly the years he spent as a tennis partner to his mother. In his younger years, he was a soccer goalie at Adelphi, and later became a devoted fan on the sidelines of his son’s and grandsons’ soccer games, cheering them on with pride and passion.

Family time was central to Donald’s life. He cherished summers and holidays in Lakeville, Connecticut, spent with his wife’s family and children, building traditions that spanned generations.

A man of deep faith, Donald was a longtime member of Community Presbyterian Church, where he found meaning in worship, fellowship, and Bible study, and nurtured a lifelong love of reading self-help and spiritual books.

Donald had a remarkable gift for building and fixing things. Working alongside his father, he helped develop real estate properties, and throughout his life he was known as a builder and carpenter who could fix just about anything. His hands, skills, and generosity were evident everywhere—from homes he helped shape to neighbors he readily assisted. He also gave back through his time as a volunteer at Pilgrim State.

Above all, Donald will be remembered as a steady, capable, and kind man—someone who showed his love through presence, action, and devotion to family, faith, and community. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the family he so deeply loved.

He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

In Lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that donations be made to: 

Long Island Cares in Donald's memory. https://www.licares.org/