Donald H. Wiley

Obituary of Donald H. Wiley

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Donald Hamilton Wiley passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, January 2, 2026 at Morristown Medical Center. He was 84.

Born and raised in Paterson, NJ to Margaret and Russell Wiley, Donald met his sweetheart and future wife, the former Catherine M. Maurer while in high school in Paterson. After a wonderful courtship, the couple was married in Avenel, NJ on September 30, 1961. They came to the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ in 1968, where they built a life together for nearly 65 years. Though Donald and Catherine never had children of their own, they had many nieces and nephews who considered Don "the most wonderful uncle."

Proud of his service to his country, Donald served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Following the war, he gained employment as a sheet metal worker with Clifton Metal Products in Clifton, NJ, where he worked for many years until his retirement in 2002.

A kind and inquisitive man, Don loved working on puzzles as a hobby. In addition to doing puzzles, he loved fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed traveling the world and ballroom dancing with the love of his life, Cathy.

He is survived by his cherished wife of 64 years, Catherine M. Wiley; his beloved dog, Wallace; three loving sisters; Margaret Wiley of Flemington, NJ, Ann Russomanno of Little Falls, NJ and her children Johnny and Danny, and Helen Szela and her husband, Frank of Lebanon, NJ and their children Scott and Tracy; his dear sister-in-law, Peggy Backovsky of Palm Bay, FL and her children Lisa, Michelle, and Jessica; and many more nieces and nephews who adored him. Donald was preceded in death by his siblings, Charles Wiley and Mary Elster; and his brothers-in-law, George Maurer, Charles Maurer, and Frederick Maurer.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm t0 9:00pm at the SJ. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ. Military Honors will be rendered at 3:30 that afternoon and a Funeral Service will be celebrated at 8:30pm during the visitation. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family graciously requests Memorial Gifts to the American Heart Association in Don's memory.

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