Donald W. Ulkus

Donald William Ulkus, 97 left this earth peacefully on December 31, 2025. He was born in New Britain, CT on August 20, 1928, the first-born son of Fred and Agnes (Nelson) Ulkus. He spent his childhood in rural Kensington, CT surrounded by his large loving extended Nelson family and three siblings: Norma Dolan Crandall, John ‘Jack’ Ulkus and James ‘Jimmy’ Ulkus. He attended area schools and graduated from EC Goodwin Technical High School. After graduation, he entered the US Air Force. He proudly served his country during the Korean War Conflict as a Master Sergeant at March AF base in Riverside, CA trained as a boom operator refueling fighter jets midair. He recalled his time in the military visiting faraway places like Hawaii, Japan, Russia, England, Germany and France. In 1953, he married Bernice Gagnon and they returned to Kensington where they raised their two sons: Robert and David. Donald was employed at Southern New England Telephone as a linesman and later a plant engineer after earning his associate in applied science at Hartford State Technical College (1970). After Bernice’s passing in 1979, Donald later married Ethelyn Hoyt and they retired to Venice, FL. Together they traveled to all the continents in the world. After Ethelyn’s passing in 2022, he returned to CT to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Barbara. Donald was a quiet, organized, and polite gentleman who asked nothing of others. He enjoyed playing setback and rummy until his last week of life. He leaves his sons, Robert (Barbara) Ulkus of Columbia, CT and David (Maria) Ulkus of Bethlehem, PA and his grandchildren, Dr. Lindsey Rodrigues (David), Gregory Ulkus. (Julie), and Alexandra Harder (Andrew). He was “Big Papa” to his great grandchildren Kayla, Jack, Zachary, Joshua and Connor. He also leaves his sister, Norma of Berlin, CT and his brother, Jack of Middletown, CT and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his FL family including his stepchildren Michael (Kim) and Karen (John) and grandchildren Sarah, Beki, John, Jeff, Roy and Allyson and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Fred and Agnes, brother James, wives Bernice and Ethelyn, and stepdaughter Debra. A private interment with full military honors will take place later at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL. Don’s family thanks the staff at St. Joseph’s Living Center in Windham, CT for their compassion care of Dad in his final months of life. Rest in peace, Dad.