Plan for the Future
Donald A. Tracy, a long-time resident of Chatham, passed away at Care One at Madison in Morristown on Thursday, March 22, 2018. He was 86.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Chatham, on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 10:00 am. An interment will follow at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home.
Born in Summit, Don was raised in Millburn and Chatham. Don joined the NJ Army National Guard, in 1947, while still in high school, as a member of the 50th Recon Battalion in Westfield. He later served with the 117th Cavalry and 102nd Cavalry and Armor Essex Troop in West Orange. He retired in 1991, after over 40 years of service, as a Chief Warrant Officer. Don’s career was also with NJ Army National Guard, where he worked full-time as Technician, beginning in 1951 until his retirement in 1986. During his active time with the Guard and into his retirement, Don was a member of multiple organizations related his Army National Guard duty including the 117th Calvary Association, the 102nd Essex Troop Association, the Retired Officers Association, the NCO Association of NJ, the NJ National Guard Association and the US National Guard Association. He was also a member of American Legion Post 213 in Wantage for over 20 years.
Don was also very active in the community. He was a member of the Chatham Borough Volunteer Fire Department since 1966. He regularly gave blood at Overlook Hospital and was a member of the “2 Gallon Club.” Don was always doing something for someone- whenever anything needed to be done in the neighborhood, he was the one who stepped up and did it.
A true patriot, Don loved all things military and enjoyed visiting military historical sites, such as Valley Forge and was a volunteer for many years NJ National Guard Museum in Sea Girt.
Don was the beloved husband of over 65 years to Mary “Chickie” (nee Tyrone). He was the loving father of Dennis Tracy and his wife Sally of Chatham, Diane Bleibdrey and her husband Edward of Edinburg, TX, Deane T. Tracy of Summit, Dan S. Tracy of Madison and the late David W. Tracy and Donna M. Tracy. He was the cherished grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 10. He was also pre-deceased by his brothers, Keith and Neil Tracy.