Obituaries

Richard “Don” Drainville died August 14, 2019. He was 92 years old, and was born June 18, 1927 in Highland Park, MI to Stanley and Beatrice Drainville.

Don, as most everyone knew him, felt a strong call to serve his country at a young age. He entered the United States Marines when he was 17 years old, and served admirably during and after World War II as a proud member of the celebrated 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He saw combat on Okinawa and was wounded near Shuri Castle. He awoke in a field hospital on his eighteenth birthday having earned the Purple Heart. After recovering briefly, he returned to combat. He was on a troop ship awaiting the invasion of Japan when the war ended two months later. He attained the rank of Corporal while serving as a military policeman in what is now known as Beijing, China and became what was then known as a “China Marine”.

Following his time of service in the Marines, Don trained to be an industrial engineer, which served him well during a long career in the automotive industry. However, he held many jobs before that career path. He was the jack-of-all-trades for the Oak Park, MI police department working as a police office and fireman, as well as the department photographer and juvenile detention officer. He was a milkman for a short time, and also operated his own pizza restaurant. Don then began his career at Chrysler in the late 1950s, and left to take the position of Plant Engineer for Peterbilt Motors near San Francisco before subsequently returning to Chrysler. He was assigned industrial engineering duties at the Chrysler facility in Adelaide, Australia and later to the Toluca Plant near Mexico City. He eventually retired from Chrysler in the late 80s, but did not finish his career. He then worked for various automotive suppliers in the metro Detroit area for many years, including the Bing Automotive Group.

Don found a second interest in volunteering his time with many social, youth and school related organizations. Those included District Commissioner in Boy Scouting in Fremont, California, president of the parent’s organization at Sacred Heart Seminary High School in Detroit and president of his homeowners association in Bloomfield Hills.

His brother Harold, sister Barbara and his parents preceded him in death.

Don was the beloved husband of Dorothy for over 70 years. Dear father of Gary (Christine), Karen Lim (Vince) and Tom (Jennie). Devoted grandfather of Brian (Julie), Michael (Kara), Patrice, Robert (Katie), and Peter, and six great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday 2-8 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd. (between Maple and Big Beaver), 248-362-2500. Funeral Mass Saturday 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4580 N. Adams Rd., Troy. Visitation at church begins at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial tributes to Alzheimer’s Association.