Surrounded by his loving family, Donald Walter Lohin, 76, peacefully passed away at his Wellesley home on Nov. 17, 2021. Don suffered from complications of coronary disease for the last 10 years.
Don was born in a prison camp in Gera, Germany on January 21, 1945, to Olga and Michael Lohin. His parents, as the oldest children in their Ukrainian families, were taken by the Germans to work as farm laborers harvesting food for the German troops. Mike and Olga met and married on this farm. When Olga became visibly pregnant, she was deemed no longer useful and was moved to a concentration camp where alone, she gave birth to Don, a 10 lb. breach baby. Later that spring, US troops freed the camp; the family was reunited and eventually, emigrated to the US, settling in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where Don grew up.
Life was a struggle but with the encouragement and loving support of his parents, Don persevered and excelled in academics and athletics. As a child, Don played on Morrisville's Little League All-Star team which won the World's Championship in 1955 and returned to defend their title in 1956. In the eighth grade, Don was awarded the American Legion's medal for being the outstanding student in his class.
In 1962, Don graduated from Morrisville High School (PA) where he was a three sport star, winning letters as a fullback in football, a catcher on the baseball team, and tossed the shot and discus for track. He attended Trenton Junior College on a baseball scholarship and served as captain of the team. He received a partial academic scholarship to Lehigh University where he graduated in 1967 with a degree electrical engineering.
Don joined the Navy and after attending O.C.S., reported for duty aboard a destroyer, the USS Garcia where he served as the Sonar Maintenance Officer and the Anti- Submarine Officer. However, he most enjoyed his role as Legal and Educational Officer assisting sailors with various legal difficulties.
After the Navy, Don attended the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business graduating with an MBA in 1973.
With his MBA, Don pursued the passion of his life....work, which was far reaching, taking him to many states and countries around the world. At the time of his passing, Don was still employed as the CEO of Axiam, Inc. in Gloucester, MA.
Don loved to travel and especially enjoyed the perks that went along with his extensive business trips. He had a huge sweet tooth and spent his life in search of the perfect linzer torte. When asked what he remembered most about a recent trip, he would tell you about the pastry shops he had visited. He enjoyed the theater and must have seen Les Miserables performed at least a dozen times. His favorite singer was Elvis and his family will never forget the six hour car rides when Elvis cd's were the only ones allowed. Don also loved sports and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete. He was an ardent fan of the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once Tom Brady joined the team. He dearly loved his family and was happiest when spending time with them. Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan, three children: Jonathan Lohin, Clinton, MA, Michael Lohin and his wife Jessica, Natick MA, and Dr. Amanda Lohin, Framingham, MA; three grandchildren: Avery and Tucker Lohin and Tait Lohin; sister and brother in law, Ed and Helen Silver, New Hope, PA; as well as his beloved nieces and nephew. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Olga and Michael Lohin and sister, Ramona.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) WELLESLEY on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 2-3pm followed by a funeral service in the funeral home beginning at 3pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in Don's memory to a charity of your choice or to the American Heart Association.