Donald F. Haidys

Donald F. Haidys passed July 6, 2025. He was born on January 4, 1935, in Detroit to Bernard and Helen (Kowlaski) Haidys.

Dear husband to Jean; Loving father to Sandra (Randy) Gronau and Michele (Mark) Shantz; Beloved grandfather to Megan and Allison, Loving uncle, and cousin to many; He will be dearly missed by his friends and family.

Donald is pre-deceased by his son, Mark Haidys; and his siblings Bernard Haidys and Margarette Konarski.

Don loved his country and served as a Navy Seabee in the Korean War. He served one tour, but the stories that he could recite made one believe that he had been on active duty for decades. He was proud of his time and left the military as a devoted but disabled veteran.

Meeting Jean Capobianco at a wedding turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. He was smitten from the day they met. They were married June 1, 1957, and thus began their years of happiness in Melvindale, MI.

Longtime Eng. Tech at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. His job provided him with lifelong friends. He was proud to be associated with the Block M but reminded everyone that Michigan State University had been the school he attended.

Service turned out to be a repeating theme in Don’s life and he served as a member of the Melvindale – Northern Allen Park School Board, City of Melvindale Planning Commission and Melvindale City Council.

Raising their children, Sandra and Michele turned out to be the job he considered his highest priority and greatest achievement. He was a devoted father and taught the girls to be strong and independent. He was proud of both of his sons-in-law Randy and Mark and had a special bond with them. Don loved the title of Grandfather and was a constant presence at his granddaughter’s softball games, golf matches, and dance recitals. Megan and Allison were the reason for the twinkle in his eyes as he got older.

Retirement saw him embrace the beach and he and Jean purchased a condominium in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He loved spending the Winter down there. Don and Jean did not care if they ever saw a snowflake again after visiting Gulf Shores. It turned out to be their Happy Place.

Don and Jean moved to Superior Township during their Golden Years. They loved their condominium and focused on family.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 10, from 3-8pm at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154.

Lying instate Friday, July 11, at 10:30am until the time of Funeral Mass 11am at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 29015 Jamison St, Livonia, MI 48154.

Burial will be Monday July14, 2025 2 pm at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, 18303 Allen Rd, Brownstown Township, MI 48193.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to either Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, Inc.

6952 Clayborne Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63368-6202.

or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.