Donald Joseph Gill

Donald Joseph Gill, Sr., 74, of Naples, FL, formerly of Clarion, PA, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 9, 2009, after an extended illness. Born October 13, 1934 in Detroit, MI, he was the son of Donald Joseph and Pearl (Crooks) Gill. He was a 1953 graduate of Patton High School in Patton, PA. After serving in the US Navy he graduated from Indiana State Teacher's College where he was a standout athlete and was awarded a 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award. He taught geography and was head football coach at Grove City High School before leaving education for a career in explosives. He worked for Atlas Powder Company before becoming owner of the Amos L. Dolby Company, Clarion Explosives, Inc., Alpha Environmental Company in Corsica, PA, and Ramac Explosives in Allentown, PA. He and his business partners also formed Auto Group Enterprises, owners of automobile dealerships in Clarion and State College. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors of the Institute of the Makers of Explosives in Washington, D.C. and was one of the founders of the Nobel Insurance Company based in Bermuda. Don was married to his loving wife, Lorna, who survives. He will be greatly missed by his three children, Shonna Jungbluth of Titusville, PA, Donald (Robin) Gill of Brookville, PA and Kelly (David) Pallone of Palmyra PA, as well as his step-children, Jeremy Dene of Tampa, FL and Jaclyn Slovacek of Naples, FL. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Kai Jungbluth, Madison and Jack Gill and John, Joseph and Michael Pallone. Also surviving are three sisters, Nancy Campbell, Sarah Linch, and Janet Sharp; sister-in-law, Jean Gill; and twelve nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard Gill and Jack Whitman. The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home, 638 Wood St. in Clarion, PA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 62 Pickering St., Brookville, PA, with Pastor Joie Baker and Rev. William French presiding. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Patton, PA. In lieu of flowers, Don requested donations to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105 or to the Frank Cignetti Scholarship Fund, c/o Frank Condino, IUP Athletic Department, 107 Memorial Field House, 660 South 11th St., Indiana, PA 15705.

Donald Joseph Gill

October 13, 1934 - October 9, 2009