Donald J. McAULIFF

1938 - 2022

Donald J. McAuliff, born March 4, 1938, passed away at the age of 84, March 9, 2022, after a long illness. He was a hero to the end.

Don is survived by the love of his life, Georgia, and four children, Heidi, Michael (Mickey), Donald II, and Eric. Don leaves behind nine grandchildren, Kathleen, Laicee, Cheldea, Charlie, Gunnar, Hayden, Colton, Chloe, and Liv. Don was born to May and Fred McAuliff in Blue Island, Illinois.

Don had a deep love for aviation that started at a very young age. After graduating high school, he had a short stint working for the railroad, which gave him the motivation to pursue a career in Aviation. He tested for OCS (officer candidate school), a highly competitive process, against mostly college graduates and earned a spot in Spokane, at Fairchild Air Force Base.

After graduating from OCS, he earned his wings and started a storied career with the Air National Guard, where among other things he held certifications in nearly every aircraft on the base, taught electronics to new candidates, and earned a spot in the "booster club" after bailing out over Montana after an engine failure that resulted in a non-recoverable spin.

Don went on to join arguably the best airline in the world, Pan American Airlines, in 1965. He flew the Far East route while giving up a weekend a month to fly for the ANG, where he met Georgia and became married a short six months later. United Airlines eventually absorbed Pan Am, where Don was later promoted to 747 Captain. He earned the title of "grease 'em on Don", as he could put that big bird down so smoothly, that passengers didn't notice they had touched down… oftentimes resulting in applause.

Don's interests included hunting, boating, and dragging massive amounts of fishing gear behind his boat on Lake Pend Orielle. He was very mechanical and could fix anything. In the 80s he completely disassembled a Jaguar 12 cylinder engine and somehow managed to repair it, put it back together and have it on the road over a few summer months. He could fix plumbing, frame, and work on electrical but refused to touch concrete.

Don lived a wonderful life. He was often accompanied by his wife on trips and spent a fair amount of his time off traveling the world. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and not soon forgotten.

Godspeed Don, keep it loose.