- Date Of Birth: March 14, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 12, 2021
- City: Fort Pierce
- State: Florida
Captain Donald Franklin Hall has crossed the bar passing from this life on January 12, 2021. Born on March 14, 1924, Don was a 1941 graduate of Springfield, Massachusetts Technical High School. On July 29, 1943, after completing studies in seamanship and navigation at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Don was commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve.
Don saw wartime service in the U.S. Maritime Service as a line officer in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean Middle East War Zones. In May 1953, upon discharge from the Naval Reserve, Don joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served with distinction in afloat and shore commands. Don’s last tour was as Commanding Officer of the Maritime Inspection Office for the Port of New York.
His military awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Bar, Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Bar, Merchant Marine Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a star.
A licensed Master Mariner and lover of sailing craft, Don was also both a Trusty Shellback and a holder of the Golden Dragon Award having crossed the equator on January 2, 1944, aboard SS JOHN LIND (Liberty Ship hull #1573) and having crossed the 180th meridian on January 20, 1945, aboard SS DAVID A CURRY (Liberty Ship hull #2237).
Don married the former June Elsie Wright of Springfield in 1953 and remained her devoted husband for 67 years. Together Don and June traveled across the U.S. and overseas dealing with the vagaries of military assignments and raised four beautiful and gracious daughters, Cynthia, Donna, Pamela, and Melissa.
In 1979, following 35 years of combined military service in the Maritime Service, Naval Reserve, and Coast Guard, Don started a new career working with Sea-Land Services, Inc. as a Fleet Operations Manager. After ten years with Sea-Land Don permanently retired to Fort Pierce, Florida.
Don and June settled on South Hutchinson Island in the community of Ocean Village. The Captain reliably raised and lowered the national flag during morning and evening colors over the many years in which he and June lived in Ocean Village. A regular on the golf course and bocce court Don was well known, loved, and respected throughout his community.
Don was preceded in death by his brother Gordon. He is survived by his beloved wife June, daughter Cynthia and husband Carl, daughter Donna and husband Bill, daughter Pamela and husband Nicholas, daughter Melissa and husband Mark. Don’s grandchildren William, Katie, Rob, Molly, Kelly, Benjamin, and Riley and his great-grandchildren Grace and Madison will greatly miss “Pop.”
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1889
