Donald Dennis Dubinsky's Obituary
Donald Dennis Dubinsky; 1946--2002 Don was the first son of Laura and John Dubinsky, after two girls and twenty years, the joy of his dadÂ's life, a son, carrying his small son on his shoulders to the railroad tracks each day to see the trains and then home to play with the Lionel set up, in the garage basement. His fatherÂ's family was from Czechoslovakia and his motherÂ's descendants were a part of the Mayflower party. His two sisters and mother cared, cooked, and shared their time, talents and money to watch him grow. Donny was beloved at home by his siblings and extended family. His baseball team nicknamed him Bo. He pitched with the strongest and deadliest arm and batted his way to an ACAL batting championship title. He was known and feared throughout the Bay area for his misleading curve balls.We knew him as sweetheart, husband, father, brother, uncle, son, and Commander USNR. He was Captain Dubinsky throughout the US Airways system on the PA. His co-workers were his best buddies; he valued each of their friendships as if they were a big family. His most endearing name was Grandpa, a name he was called by Tommy, Ashley, William, Ryan-Brittany, David, Tyler, Josh, and Elizabeth (plus 2 coming soon). Spending time with them filled his heart with joy. His grandchildren were so full of life and never-ending excitement, and he loved to be a part of their fun.Don was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He held positions ranging from first counselor in the elders quorum, to regional dance director. He was married in the Temple at Oakland, California, and had a great love for his Heavenly Father and the eternal plan of salvation.Don graduated in 1964 from El Cerrito, California, High School, married his high school sweetheart, the girl of his dreams and together started what would be thirty-seven years of the most exciting and challenging times together. Together they overcome almost every obstacle that came their way. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S., doing jobs ranging from janitor to beverage provider at the Provo Country Club. He rode down the Provo River on rafts and motorcycled down dirt hills with his brother, often putting the whole family on the back of the bike for a picnic and would intentionally splash in the stream of mountain water running across the road. He survived his wifeÂ's learning to cook, pleading never to see another tuna casserole again.With a dream and goal to be a commercial airline pilot Don took the orders to report to Aviation OfficerÂ's Candidate School (AOCS) February 23, 1971, leaving behind at home a two-week-old son, a daughter 3 and 5 year old daughters. Through the courage and hard work, the next years saw great benefits for their many sacrifices. Don finally got his first tail hook on the USS Lexington in the Gulf of Mexico. Having finished his prescribed training, he was designated a Naval Aviator on May 5, 1972. In the following years, he saw duty in the training command at VT28, Corpus Christi, Texas, VP48Â's P-3 squadron at Moffet Field, California, in 1974. He was part of the first deployment to open up Missowa, Japan, for the US Navy P-3Â's in 1975, and served as a Navy recruiter in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1977.In August 1979 he ended his active duty assignment in the Navy and pursued the goal he had always dreamed about; to become a commercial airline pilot. But at age thirty-four, he was too old!! The industryÂ's ideal pilot age was twenty-three. Corporate aviation filled the next several years- aid insurance Des Moines, Iowa, ENI Corp., Bellevue Washington, Alberto Culver, Chicago, Illinois. While flying as a Naval Reserve pilot at VP-90 Glenview, Illinois, his sixth child was born December 13, 1984, and a week later the house was filled with screams of joy. The reason, Don was to report to Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in San Diego, California. By March the dreams and fantasies were fulfilled, DonÂ's hard work and perseverance finally paid off. Beginning as a First Officer, Don was quickly advanced in only six short months to captain. He was in training again and again. The merger with US Airways sent him base changing to San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) and then finally back east to Pittsburgh. The Disneyland airline and smile had disappeared. Don received an Honorable Discharge after being commissioned a commander in the Naval ReserveÂ's VP-90 in Glenview, Illinois. Playing the piano was one of DonÂ's many talents. Â"Always,Â" his motherÂ's favorite song, made her cry each time he played it. Brother Snell, DonÂ's piano teacher for thirteen years, thought Don had great potential because of his touch on the keys. Don drew his family together by playing the piano. Many Sunday mornings while waiting for the family to get ready for church, he would play hymns and his music filled the house with the LordÂ's spirit. One stormy day while the wind pounded the trees outside and rain poured down the windows, the electricity suddenly went out and the children fled to their hiding places; Don calmly sat down at the piano and took out his music to Â"Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto. Â"His playing was so tremendous and loud it outdid the storm and the whole family gathered around the piano with smiles on their faces, all-grateful for the most robust piano recital ever. On the first date with Sandy at his home, he played Â"Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Â"Later, you could find Don and his family around the piano singing Â"When there is Love at Home. Â"At Christmas the tradition was Â"Up on the RooftopÂ" with special effects, Â"We Three MenÂ", Â"Silent Night,Â" Â"Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,Â" and closing with Â"Santa WonÂ't You Tell Me What YouÂ'll Bring.Â" Many years were spent away from family for Christmas. Our favorite song was Â"IÂ'll Be Home for Christmas If Only in My Dreams.Â" As his career took his family from sea to sea. His hobbies were skiing, rafting, hiking, camping, jogging 5 miles six times a week, working out with weights, and doing push-ups with his grandson William. He played Monopoly with Tommy while on vacation in Whistler B.C., and flew to his football and basketball games when he could get away. He loved to wash his cars and work in the yard; his rose trees were his pride. In Pittsburgh the car of his dreams, a Cherry Red 1981 Corvette could be seen cruising the streets with half of the T-top off and the gray hair of a man fifty-six years old flying in the wind. The license plate cover Â"IÂ'm not speeding, just flying lowÂ" would have fit all too well over the rear plate. During Woodward Cruising Days in Detroit, Michigan his car could be filled with grandchildren hanging out at the local A&W filling up on a Root Beer Floats, with Neil DiamondÂ's A-tracks playing in the background. He was always your best friend and ready to make you smile and game for fun. Everyone next to him felt his great excitement for living. You were touched by his inner spirit and love of life. Dad was blessed with the ability to be spontaneous, up for anything at a momentÂ's notice. Any new adventure that came his way was quickly seized upon. He loved to go and go and go. Even Mom is still trying to catch up to him. Kristina, his second daughter, said, Â"If he knew he died, heÂ'd be so mad.Â" He inspired everyone to be their best by pointing out your greatest strengths, always telling you it would all work out, and with tears welling in his eyes he looked in your face with a quivering voice as he told you how much he loved you. He encouraged you to set goals and challenged you to reach them. He truly loved people and friendships. Don had a great ability to put anyone at ease and to draw them in and make them feel valued. He loved to talk and laugh and found great satisfaction in learning about others and sharing in their life stories. Don was always comfortable with others around him. We will miss his ability to gather the family together as he started yet another adventure. How we wish we could still ski, climb a mountain, ride the white-capped rivers or just sit around a campfire again with him and hear his sweet laugh. His adventures could fill volumes and he left his friends and family with treasures of memories to fill our hearts up with joy that we shared while living, working, and playing with him. He was tender and humble while comforting and counseling with you, constantly seeking forgiveness for mistakes. He always was strong and able to take charge. He was willing to go the extra mile, putting energy into every challenge. He was a great negotiator and his magnetism spread throughout the crowed.His doctors loved him and admired his discipline to conquer his new challenge, Diabetes. He exemplified the perfect patient in all his battles. His attitude in life was that nothing was impossible with hard work. Utilizing this philosophy Don overcame the adversities of his life. Together we watched in awe on September 11 and saw the change that those horrific events brought to the airline industry in our country. Don stated with great pride, Â"No one will ever take my plane and my passengers while I am in charge.Â" He loved flying immensely. While on the golf course his friends referred to him as Â"BananaÂ" for the incredible distance his left slice managed to cover in only one swing of the wood. He could clear two holes in only one swing, leaving the group on the next fairway shaking in their cleats. His buddy George Lint would bring great laughs over the years on his visits. Nick Stanger would be his mentor, as he became a commercial pilot working through many pages of manuals, training and bidding when Don was in another state. They were flying partners and best buddies always, sharing stories, escapades, joy and sorrow to the last. When Nick called DonÂ's wife with sad news, he said to her, Â"YouÂ'd better be sitting down.Â" DonÂ's two-year battle with diabetes ended on November 11, 2002. It was DonÂ's final and only defeat. This last curve ball in a full count had finally beaten the ACAL batting champion. Don loved Nick and George like brothers, and our family is so grateful for their friendship and support.Don loved his wife, family and all the collection of friends from across lifeÂ's paths. He is dearly missed, but left us all better and inspired, each learning great lessons from the footsteps you shared with him personally.All of you were important to him. If he had been given the chance, he would have enjoyed visiting with you one at a time to thank you for your friendship. His smiling face will stay in our minds forever.
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