Longtime Gresham resident, Donald “Don” Belanger died at his home on Tuesday, March 10, 2009. He was 71.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sandy on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. A private inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.
Donald Jerome Belanger was born on July 23, 1937 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Raymond Edward and Mary Ada (Monte) Belanger. He was raised and received his schooling in Hibbing. Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the Navy on May 29, 1959. He served four years in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean regions and was honorably discharged on July 27, 1963.
Don then became a journeyman machinist while working for Standard Oil of California and Colgate Palmolive. He moved his family to the Portland area in the mid 1960’s and worked for Continental Can and Libby, McNeill, and Libby Can Mfg. In 1982, he started his own business in Gresham, JB Industrial Machine Repair serving many customers in the printing industry, was the warranty station for Jet Equipment, and was successful because he could build or repair just about anything.
When he wasn’t working, Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, making an annual trek to Eastern Oregon to go to “elk camp” with his friends.
After a divorce in the early 1980’s, Don was remarried in 1986 to Judith Oakley. They made their home in Gresham where Don pursued his career until October of 2006 when his health forced him to retire.
Don was afflicted with lung disease and it took his life. He died at home with family members present. Don was talented and gifted in his work and a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Rick Belanger of Bremerton, WA, Terri Belanger of Gresham, OR, Tim Belanger of Gresham, OR; step children Dan McCrea of Boring, OR and Jeff McCrea of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren, Stacie, Eric, Alex and Abby, Tyler and Jackie.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Adventist Hospice.