Donald M. Delafield

Donald M. Delafield April 22, 1923 " September 16, 2015 Donald M. Delafield, 92, of Lakeland, Florida, a member of the ""Greatest Generation"", and now, the ""Disappearing Generation"", passed away on Wednesday, September 16th at Palm Terrace of Lakeland and is survived by his wife, Carole Williams Delafield. Donald was born in Johnson City, New York on April 22, 1923 to Cecil Jay and Mary Loretta Hickey Delafield. The sixth of twelve siblings, Don was proceeded in death by Ruth, Jack, Larry, Robert, Mildred, Bill, Dick, Charles & Jean and is survived by Betty and Raymond. The family includes sons Edward (Brenda), Kenneth (Vicki), Wayne (Sandy), Robert and daughters Shawn Boswick (Mike), Lori Rudy (Tony) and stepdaughter Nicole Luty (Edward), 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, as well as nieces and nephews. Don served the State of New York as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp, organized by President Roosevelt. During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Force, achieving the rank of Corporal. He fought in the Pacific Theatre, specifically the China Offensive and China Defensive Battles and was awarded two Bronze Stars, eventually becoming a member of Disabled American Veterans. In his civilian life, Don held management positions with Endicott Johnson and Coral Isles Pool Company in New York State and was an Owner/Operator of Griffin Pools, Inc. in Lakeland. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lakeland. As a member of the Helping Hands program, he and his wife Carole went on a group mission trips to South Carolina to build a house and to Barbados to improve the existing church""s facilities. Don enjoyed both watching and participating in sports. At one time he was drafted to play on the New York Yankees farm team. He was also an avid golfer, with two holes in one to his credit. He was a member of the Cleveland Heights Golf Course and past President of the Men""s Association. He played in the Sherman ProAm, Ridge ProAm and Florida Publinx. The memorial service will be held on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. A short reception will follow. Family and close friends are invited to attend the interment at 2:00 pm at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL. Donations in memory of Donald may be sent to the Lakeland Police Department Canine Unit, ATTN Captain Sammy Taylor, 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. Service: 09/21/2015 First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland,FL 33801