Donald Newton Dackins' Obituary
Donald Newton Dackins
January 16, 1923-March 12, 2016
Donald N. Dackins, Don, was the only child of Isabelle and Dan Dackins. He was born on January 16, 1923. His first home was his parents’ houseboat on the Willamette River in Portland and this undoubtedly fostered his lifelong love of boats and the water. He and his father Dan built a sailboat together and Don always treasured the memories of that wonderful project. Don was also an accomplished trumpet player.
In 1940, when he was just 17 years old, Don enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to the USS Oregon for two years. He had a distinguished 30-year career with the Marines, becoming both an expert marksman with pistol and rifle and a combat engineer in Korea. He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. His experiences there filled him deep respect for the Holy Cross Fathers and made him a true fan of the Fighting Irish.
While still a young Marine, he met and married a beautiful blonde Navy WAVE from Beaverton, Oregon, Mary Fitzpatrick. Together they shared a deep love of the United States. Mary, whose father Howard was a WWI Veteran, understood full well the sacrifices military families were called upon to make. Don was deployed to Japan and he served in combat in Korea. When he returned stateside, he and Mary traveled all over the United States wherever his Marine Corps duties took him. They were blessed with four children, Mary Patricia, Donald Jr., David and Douglas.
After Don retired from the Marine Corps, he and Mary moved their family to Sacramento, California. At California State University, Sacramento, Don completed the degree he began at Notre Dame. In the years that followed, he furthered his career in public service working for Sacramento County, the State of California and the University of California at Davis. Just as his career was peaking, Mary passed away in 1975 and their son, Don Jr. in 1976.
In 1981, Don fulfilled another of his dreams when he bought his beloved sail boat, Resolute, and returned to life on the water. He anchored Resolute in Coronado Bay and lived aboard while he worked for the City of Chula Vista, California. When he accepted a position with the City of Livermore, California he sailed Resolute up the California coast and anchored in Emeryville. His view of San Francisco was spectacular! Live aboard folks are a family in themselves and he had many boating friends from all over the United States. When Don retired from work, he returned to his home state of Oregon. He lived aboard Resolute in the Multnomah Channel while his house was under construction.
Don made himself at home in Scappoose and got busy with volunteer public service. He served with the Coast Guard Auxiliary until the age of 87 and served on the Scappoose City Planning Commission until he was 92. Looking after oneself while still being able to assist others was one of his deeply held values and something he sought to instill in his children. He lived alone and managed his own affairs right up until a few weeks before his final illness.
Don passed away on March 12, the birth date of his loving wife, Mary Fitzpatrick Dackins, who along with son, Donald N. Dackins, Jr. preceded him in death.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Mullins and her husband, John, his son Dave Dackins and his wife, Teresa, and his youngest son, Doug Dackins. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Sean, Jennifer, Caroline, Patrick, Kathleen and Emily and 7 great-grandchildren, Liam, Catherine, Eamon, Brennan, Joseph, Matthew and Madeleine.
On Tuesday, March 22, 2016 there will be a Visitation at 2:00 PM followed by a Rosary at 4:00 PM at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Don will be laid to rest with his wife Mary at Willamette National Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.columbiafh.com.
Columbia Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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