Donald B. Heuschkel

Donald B. Heuschkel, 84, of Torrington was surrounded by members of his loving family in his final days on earth before his peaceful passing occurred on the morning of December 21.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb 5, 1931, he was the son of the late Howard Heuschkel Sr. and Helen (Balaski) Heuschkel. Described by many as the quintessential family man, Donald was a loving husband for 58-plus years to Carmela Rose (Clapps) Heuschkel and the proud father of three children: Pamela Eggleston of Harwinton, Jamie Heuschkel of Barkhamsted and his wife Patrice, and David Heuschkel of Simsbury. He is also survived by three grandchildren to whom he was especially close: Cameron Eggleston, and Charlotte and Patrick Heuschkel. He leaves behind his brother Charles Heuschkel, his sister Margaret Summa and her husband Daniel, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Howard Jr., John and Thomas, and one sister, Elaine.

Donald served in the U.S. Marine Corps, starting in 1951 during the Korean War, and received an honorable discharge from the U.S.M.C reserves in 1959. He attended Torrington schools and received two degrees in engineering from the University of Hartford. He worked for the Torin Corporation as Engineering Manager and relocated to Indianapolis, Ind., where he worked as Manager of Development Engineering for the Brookside Group.

True to his engineering background, Donald was an original “Mr. Handyman” who specialized in carpentry, electrical and plumbing. He enjoyed fixing whatever needed to be fixed around the house and building whatever needed to be built. He was an avid reader whose list of hobbies included cooking, gardening and solving puzzles involving numbers. He always found time to attend games, plays, recitals and various other activities of his children and grandchildren. The family wishes to express its appreciation to the staff at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital for the compassionate care given to Donald.

Anyone wishing to pay final respects may do so on Monday, Dec. 28, at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, from 9-11 a.m. A military memorial service will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 76 Walnut St. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald's memory to the Center for Cancer Care, 200 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.cookfuneralhomect.com .