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Donald R. Wells

Donald R. Wells

Donald R. Wells, 80, of Fort Pierce, Fla. formerly of Silver Creek, NY died unexpectedly on Sunday morning April 28, 2019 at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla. after a long and courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his loving and caring family.

Don was born on December 21, 1938 in Paintsville, KY the son of the late Curtis and Mary Belle (Penix) Wells. He graduated from Paintsville High School in 1956, where he was an accomplished basketball player, he also played Semi-Pro basketball in Western NY for a number of years in the 70’s. Donald served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from Jan. 14,1959 until being honorably discharged on March 22,1962 and later on in the Army National Guard.

In 1964 his mother Mary Belle, sister Ruby and Don relocated to Silver Creek, NY to find work. Don found a job at the Ford Motor Co. in Buffalo, NY., retiring after 30 years of service in 1994. On April 30,1982 in Silver Creek he married Marietta Muscarella and together they shared over 36 years of marriage.

Don was an active member of the Silver Creek Samuel Cimino VFW Post No. 6472 and the American Legion. In his younger years he coached Little League baseball. Don’s world revolved around the Buffalo Bills he was a season ticket holder for 29 years. He and his brother-in-law John attended four Super Bowls, always hoping to win the big one. He was so passionate about the Bills he built a “Man Cave” with memorabilia from the Super Bowls and Bills games he regularly went to. He loved O.J. Simpson in his prime collecting and displaying newspaper clippings of his accomplishments. There is a park close to Don’s old house in which he maintained for years and was eventually came to be fondly referred to as “Don’s Park”.

In addition to his wife, Don is survived by two daughters, Kathy Kavulak of Silver Creek and Kelly Olkowski of Fort Pierce, Fla; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Judy Muscarella of Frisco, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Ruby Seeley and daughter, Karen Taggart.

Relatives and friends may call at the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel 160 Central Ave. Silver Creek on Thursday May 2, 2019 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R.C. Church 165 Central Ave. Silver Creekwith Fr. Daniel Fiebelkorn celebrating. Interment will be private in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Don’s memory to the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center 3555 10th Court Vero Beach, FL 32960.

To share a condolence or remembrance go to www.holeparkerfc.com.