On November 12, 2023, Donald Lee Greene, age 90, of Greeneville, DE, passed away at home, surrounded by his family.
Don was born November 25, 1933, in Roxborough, PA into his loving family; parents G. Davis and Leola Helmer Greene; and siblings G. Davis Greene, Jr. and Margaret (Greene) Haines. Throughout childhood, Don was always surrounded by a warm and caring extended family.
Don attended public schools in Roxborough until he was awarded a scholarship to the school he loved the most, The William Penn Charter School. He excelled in the nurturing environment there and was involved in many activities including drama, student government, the Trident Honor Society and the Society of Sigma Xi, and won several awards including High School Science Council Award, Temple University Mathematics Tournament, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Prize, Cum Laude Honors and Salutatorian. Upon graduation he went to Princeton University on an ROTC scholarship, where he earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and was a member of the Colonial Club.
After graduation, Don chose to become a Navy pilot. Before moving to Pensacola, FL for training, he married Abigail “Gail” Wright of Wynnewood, PA. After basic flight training, they moved to Texas where he learned to fly seaplanes. Don’s first tour of duty was in Norfolk, VA, where he and Gail moved with their infant son, John. While in Norfolk, their second child, Meg, was born. For Don’s next tour he was sent to San Diego where he started the NAESU (Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit). While in California their daughter Kate was born.
After retiring from the Navy, Don moved to Wilmington, DE, where he worked for Hercules and then developed laboratory systems for IBM. He then left IBM to be the first employee of a start-up company, SMS (Shared Medical Systems), that worked on computerizing hospital systems. When he retired, he was Vice President of International Systems.
Don retired early but kept busy with volunteer work in his community. He was a devoted member of Concord Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 15 years, Elder, Trustee, and Retreat Leader among other positions.
He volunteered for Friendship House where he served in many capacities, including President of the Board of Directors. Don was also closely involved with the development of The Clothing Bank of Delaware. His favorite job was delivering the clothing for those in need. After he moved to the Country House, he served a three-year term as President of the Resident Council.
Don loved sailing the Chesapeake Bay and the Caribbean where he and Gail kept their boats. They enjoyed many trips up and down the Intra Coastal Waterway. Another favorite adventure was international travel, where Ireland felt like a second home. Almost best of all were all the summers spent at the Jersey Shore where he loved the beach and body surfing. He enjoyed working in his yard and made beautiful model sailboats. Don was an avid reader and music lover.
Don loved his family and friends. He was a wonderful son and brother and the most devoted husband to Gail in their 68 plus years of marriage. He was a kind and thoughtful man and is greatly missed by Gail, his children by birth and his children by marriage – Susan (John), Chip Miller (Meg) and Jim Suhre (Kate), and his grandchildren, Max (Summer Allen) and Alex (Courtney Ross) and great-grandchildren Madeline and Oliver Greene. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ann Greene of Philadelphia, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 25 at 11 am at Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19803. Reception to follow at Country House.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19803, or Friendship House.
