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Donald L. Stilwell Jr.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2020 at 2:01 pm

Donald StilwellAmerican flagDonald L. “Captain Happy” Stilwell Jr., 59, of Albion, died suddenly at his residence on Aug. 24, 2020. He was born Aug. 6, 1961 in Medina to Donald and Annette (Piazza) Stilwell Sr. and was a lifelong resident of this area.

Don was a United States Air Force veteran and a member of Holy Family Parish. He had a gift for telling good stories, was a huge movie buff, and loved all animals, especially his parrot, “Cookie.” Don worked for many years as an asset protection specialist at the Albion Walmart. He was a kind and loving soul who truly put family first. He was loved by friends everywhere and was cherished by his nieces and nephews. Don will be missed by the scores of friends he made over the years.

Mr. Stilwell was predeceased by his father, Donald “Bucky” Stilwell Sr.

He is survived by his daughter, Bethany Stilwell of Virginia; his mother, Annette Piazza Stilwell of Albion; brother, Bob (Jen) Stilwell of Albion; sisters, Lynette (Greg) Prentice of Arkansas, Stacey (Jim) Baker of Kendall, Amy (the late Corky) Parker of Medina, Allison (Jeff) Norris of Indiana, and Nanette Steiner of Florida; his longtime partner, Tonya Zambito, and her son, Gabe Reynolds; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., 21 West Ave., Albion, on Sun., Aug. 30 from 12 to 3 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Mon., Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish – St. Joseph’s Church. Face masks will be required at the funeral home and at the church, and please use the east ramp entrance at the church. Private interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery will take place at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to M.A.D. Rescue of WNY, 13869 Ridge Road, Albion NY 14411.

Don’s arrangements have been entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. of Albion. To share a special memory of Don, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.