Obituary of Donald F. Stark

Donald Frederick “Don” Stark, 87, formerly of East Hartford, CT, peacefully departed this life on July 22, 2024. Born on July 24, 1936 in Albany, NY to the late Frederick and Illean Stark, he is survived by his best friend and wife of 66 years, Connie. He was the loving father of Kathleen Futoma (Scott) of Coventry, CT, Donna Scalabrino (Scott) of Cromwell, CT, Sandy Monteiro (Joe) of Hebron, CT and Michael Stark (Kelly) of Fairfax, VA. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Susan Vincek (Gary), who also passed on July 22 in 2008. He was the proud brother to Barbara (Barb) Durrick of Middle Grove, NY, Robert (Bob) Stark of Little River, SC and the late Janet (Jan) Delaney. His pride and joy were his grandchildren Cole and Carly Futoma, Lauren Dube and Lindsey Scalabrino, Austin (Zoey) and Kyle Monteiro and Sean and Kaitlyn Stark who all affectionately called him “Pops”.

In 1958, Don graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with a degree in aeronautical engineering. That same year he married his high school sweetheart, Connie, and joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT as an aeronautical engineer. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1958 to 1961 achieving the rank of captain. He then rejoined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft serving in a variety of positions in engineering and marketing for nearly 40 years until 1997.

Don’s love in life was his family. He also really enjoyed spending time in Cape Cod, going on cruises, watching UCONN basketball, reading, bowling and playing tennis. He was an active member of St. Christopher Church in East Hartford, CT for many years. His legacy is a long and loving marriage, five children, eight grandchildren, kindness to all, a sense of humor and the compassion to want to help family, friends and neighbors alike. He will be missed, but the impact he had on so many will not be forgotten.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 10:00 am at the North American Martyrs Parish in St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Glastonbury. Friends may call on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant Living of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, CT 06416, Attn: Christine Urciuoli, Director of Philanthropy, or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573 in Sue’s memory. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.