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U.S. Veteran

Donald Grajek

Visitation Date: Friday, October 22, 2021
Visitation Time: 3:00-9:00 p.m.
Funeral Date: Saturday, October 23rd, 2021
Funeral Time: 10:00 am
Place of Funeral: Salerno's Rosedale Chapels
Funeral Notes: During visiting hours, it is still recommended to follow the current State of Illinois Guidelines, and guests should continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Interment: Queen of Heaven Cemetery

Donald R. Grajek, a father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather and all around amazing man has passed from this life to the next. He was a man who achieved his aspirations in life at every step he took. Many people leave this world leaving behind journeys untraveled and tasks unfinished, this was not the case of Donald. Serving in the Navy he was able to travel the globe and visit exotic locations. He was able to live out his passion of aeronautics working on radar systems for the F3H Demon aboard CV-38 the USS Shangri-La. After his time in the service he raised two amazing children and molded the young minds of his five grandchildren all while continuing to travel the globe. He was a worldly man with a vast knowledge of many subjects and if he didn’t know an answer to a question he probably had a book to look it up in. His love for aviation fueled a hobby of building ships and aircraft models which have created one of the largest single collections of aviation history. He would consider his greatest work a collection of more than 200 aircraft which show every squadron marking from each carrier and escort carrier from WW2. This collection, intended for display in the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida, will allow future generations to learn from and enjoy. Those who were fortunate enough to meet him in his life were blessed to have met one of the best men to walk the earth. He will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. Devoted Father of Philip (Marietta) Grajek and Julie (Michael) Fritchley; Dear Brother of Robert (Pamela) Grajek; Brother-in-Law of Darlene (Erich) Herde; Loving Grandfather of Michael Grajek, Steven Grajek, Torrence (Courtney) Fritchley, Brandon (Kylie) Fritchley, and Adalia (Austin) Blake; Great Grandfather of Finn, Jesse, Daphne, Nyra and Margo; Caring Uncle of Many.
In Lieu of Flowers please contribute to a fund to help subsidize the packing and transportation of Don’s World War 2 U.S. Navy Carrier Squadron Aircraft Collection to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola FL. Those of you who have seen the approximately 200 model collection, understand the logistics involved and any help will be greatly appreciated. Funds can be made out to his daughter Julie Fritchley.

Funeral Home

Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: (630) 889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake Street Roselle IL, 60172

Church Details

Salerno's Rosedale Chapels

Phone: 630-889-1700
Address: 450 W. Lake St. Roselle Illinois, 60172
Service Date: October 23rd 2021
Funeral Time: 10:00 am

Interment Details

Queen of Heaven Cemetery

Phone: (708) 449-8300
Address: 1400 S Wolf Rd. Hillside IL , 60162

Guestbook


Posted by:
Bob \"Butch\" Bejna

Posted on:
Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Grajek Family, Don has been a friend for 40 years and will be missed by all that knew him. His knowledge and talent was a true gift. Will think of him every time I paint Navy colors.