Donald Edmond Fergusson

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, Donald (Don) E. Fergusson, Sr., age 80, passed away surrounded by his family after a courageous battle to overcome a stroke.

Dad was a life-long resident of Akron, being born March of 1941 on 430 Bell Street and was a Garfield High School graduate. He was the son of Kenneth (Sr.) and Evelyn (Atkinson) Fergusson, who preceded him in death, as did his brother Kenneth (Jr.), sister Nancy Slinger, and his loving wife of 56 years Davilla (Dee) in April 2020.

He is survived by his loving children Don (Julie) Fergusson, Jr., Diane (Bill) Baksa, and Denise (Leslie) Butler; grandchildren Daisy, David, Daulton, Danielle, Kristine, Michael, and Heather. He also leaves to mourn beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.

In 1961, dad joined the Army National Guard Reservist, as a flight mechanic, so he could hone his skills to pilot various aircraft, as he worked to obtain his pilot license while in high school. Dad was honorably discharged in January 1966.

Dad was an entrepreneur, owning and operating several businesses throughout his lifetime, primarily Fergusson Trucking, which was born in the early 1970s, where dad (alongside our mom) cultivated it within the Firestone Park area where dad, mom and we grew up. He had a love for customizing and restoring various B-Model Mack trucks of which many donations of parts were made to the Mack Truck Museum in Allentown, PA. Our dad was a kind-hearted, caring person. He loved life and living it. Everything he did, he did with pure dedication.

He worked tirelessly and endlessly – "Gotta keep moving!"

Over the last 30+ years, dad tried to relax on weekends with family and friends camping at Harrison Hills Campground in Carrollton. As always, dad soon became "Project Guide" and "Plan B" man. Coming to visit at camp was like, "Where's dad? Oh, he's playing in the dirt again." Over the years, dad excavated and installed himself thousands of feet of water line and septic bowls, moved campers, cut down (and replaced) trees using his own equipment for HHA and campers alike. He trucked in tons of gravel, stone, asphalt shavings and oil for campsites and roadways. His closest friends, Sam and Rhonda Randazzo, said "They say friends are family we choose. Being chosen was the greatest moment of our lives when we meet Don. I am grateful to have meet such an amazing person that always wanted to help others before himself. Don always had a "plan B" no matter what the project was. There is no greater memory than our weekly phone calls, spending time with our family and watching Don take his dog Maverick on hourly golf cart rides at camp."
Growing up, we cannot tell you how many dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds we had! Dad loved all creatures both domestic and wild. Dad always asked for bird seed, corn and dog biscuits as his gifts! He never could say no to an animal in need. At one point, dad found a pregnant female who gave birth to 7 babies – all of which dad vetted, cared for and loved until their passing. Dad leaves behind his cherished Labrador companion, Maverick, whom dad took every single place he went; Wilbur, his Boxer (and last rescue); and, mom's beloved Labrador, Annabelle.

An internment at Mount Hope Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Should you wish to carry on the memory of our dad, please consider planting a tree in his honor or a donation to the Humane Society of Summit County.

All arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron, Ohio.