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Donald P. Medler
Donald P. Medler of North Sea Beach Colony, formerly of Rockville Centre, died surrounded by family on Saturday, May 14. He was 76.
Mr. Medler was born on March 22, 1935 to Dr. Raymond F. and Mae Medler (née Wilson). He grew up in Richmond Hill and attended Xavier High School. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1956 where he made many lifelong friends. Upon graduation, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy stationed in New York. In 1958 he met and married the love of his life, Bonnie Britt. The couple had seven children and 15 grandchildren.
Mr. Medler frequently visited Southampton since 1940 and in those 70 plus years he developed a lifelong love and affection for North Sea Beach Colony. He loved to sail, ride the ocean waves and play golf at Southampton Golf Club.
He spent his career as an entrepreneur in the international garment industry and traveled extensively for work and continued to enjoy traveling in retirement. Ireland was one his favorites places to visit. In 2008 he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Dingle, Ireland with their children.
Mr. Medler was a kind, loving, faithful man who always had a smile on his face and nice things to say about those around him. He made treasured friends throughout his life. He was a quiet gentleman who will be dearly missed, survivors said.
Mr. Medler is survived by Bonnie, his wife of nearly 53 years; his children, Kathy Gorman and her husband Bill, Maggie Lane and her husband Pat, Julie, Don, Christine Ford and her husband Doug, Tricia Lederer and her husband Matt, and Mary Liz Viviano and her husband Paul; grandchildren, Andrew Gorman, Dan, Brittany, Emily and Matt Lane, Katie, Allie, Annie and Riley Ford, Madeline, Luke and Owen Lederer and Joe, Emma and Tommy Viviano; and siblings Raymond and Mary Jane.
Visitation was held on Monday and Tuesday, May 16 and 17, at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral Mass took place on Wednesday, May 18, at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton. Memorial donations may be made to Human Resources of the Hamptons, www.hrhamptons.org, 168 Hill Street, Southampton, NY 11968.
on May 16, 2011