Donald Francis Carton, Jr.

On Friday, February 21, 2025, Donald Francis Carton Jr. was called to eternal rest. Born April 5, 1939, at East Orange General Hospital, New Jersey to Donald Francis, Sr. and Bernice LaMert Carton (nee Engeman) Donald was the eldest of three sons. He grew up in West Orange and later at Bonnie Brae in Basking Ridge, NJ.

He entered the US Navy in 1958 and served honorably as part of the ‘crash crew’ at Rota, Spain as well as on the USS Joseph K. Taussig until his discharge in 1964. That summer, while sitting at the bar at Dodd’s in Brielle, he met the love of his life Mary Ann Giammarino. It wasn’t until 1967 when he married his wife of 47 years that he truly had a family surrounding him.

He enjoyed many years working on projects with his father-in-law, Frank. He and Mary raised their family in Maywood and became active members of the community. Don volunteered on the Maywood Ambulance Corps for ten years and was a life member. He was Past Commander of American Legion Post #142 and continued as an executive board member until shortly before his death. Don looked forward to nights at the legion playing shuffleboard or just talking with the guys. During his 14 years as president of the Shade Tree Commission, Maywood was awarded Tree City USA status for five of those years. There were many knocks on the door during that time when tree servicemen would bring evicted baby squirrels to be raised by Don and his family. Donald was a member of the long-standing Boy Scout Troop 14, Where Eagles Fly; and participated on many father son camp outs.

In their retirement, he and Mary were members of the Golden Age Club. Donald enjoyed being outdoors and would often spend hours walking on his uncle’s property in upstate New York. He knew about the flora and fauna and would come home with wild watercress, fiddle head fern, and mushrooms for Mary to prepare. He spent time teaching his children and his granddaughter about the outdoors, handy man repairs he learned with Frank, and farm life, these times he cherished. His proudest moments were watching his granddaughter growing up.

Donald is predeceased by his wife, Mary, his youngest brother, Warren, his nephew, Richard Carton Jr. and his niece, Jennifer Francisco. Here to remember him are his daughter, Melissa Mogen (Christopher), his son David (Paola), his brother, Richard Sr. (Carol), his loving granddaughter, Zoë, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to American Legion Post #142, 135 East Passaic Street, Maywood, NJ 07607. 

Visiting Hours are 1:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, March 1 with a service at 2:30 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, www.vpfh.com

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