Donald Sheridan

Mystic — Donald Patrick Sheridan, 95, a resident of Academy Point in Mystic, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017.

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on May 11, 1922, he was the son of the late Francis and Katherine (Gaffney) Sheridan.

Don attended Fordham Preparatory School, where he was captain of the baseball team, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Syracuse University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering.

During World War II, Don served as chief engineering officer aboard the destroyer USS Bennett from its christening in 1942 until its decommissioning in 1945. He received a Purple Heart Medal and five service ribbons and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Following the war, Don and his wife, Joan, settled in Old Greenwich for 40 years and raised their family of seven children. Don worked for various engineering companies, eventually specializing in the field of optical engineering for the defense and aerospace industries.

Don retired in 1985 and moved to Manchester, Vt. His favorite activities included golf (in which he excelled), skiing (in which he eschewed the use of poles), bowling (in which he collected numerous trophies), road trips (which satisfied his wanderlust), and friendships (which grew throughout his life).

He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. At one point, when asked his name during his final days, Don revealed to the attending nurse and his four children present that his true hidden identity was actually “The Lone Ranger,” which came as something of a surprise. He never even owned a horse. This was a classic response from the man who always appreciated a good comeback.

Don is survived by his six children, James Sheridan of Breezy Point, N.Y., Noel Murray of Stamford, Clare Sheridan of Stonington, Barbara Sheridan of Stamford, Stephen Sheridan (Mary) of Ridgefield, Laurence Sheridan of Easton; and by nine grandchildren, Donal, Emily, John, Geoff, Elizabeth, Victoria, James, Philip and Brad. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan, his daughter, Constance, his son-in-law, Thomas Murray, his daughterin-law, Jacqueline Sheridan, and his second wife, Bettina Jean.

Funeral services will be held on a date to be decided in late May 2018.

Donations in Don’s memory may be made to Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc., 7008 Little River Turnpike, P.O. Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003. https:// purpleheartfoundation.org/ donation-direct-support.