Heating Oil Stalwart Donald Paul Hunziker died on Monday, April 22, in Williamsburg, Va.
Born on September 4, 1921, in Golden, Ill., Don was one of eight children of Professor and Mrs. John F. Hunziker. He met his future wife of 54 years, the former Alice Boldon, while serving in the CCC in Sparta, Wisc. Alice predeceased him in 1995.
He is survived by their three sons, Donald Lee (Karen), Robert Paul (Joan) and David, five grandchildren, Richard (Gina), Michael and Michelle, Sean and Matthew (Sara), two great granddaughters, Cory and Madison, and two great, great grandchildren, Seth and Eliza Lynn. He is also survived by his brother, Floyd, of Michigan.
Don served in the Army infantry in World War II as a Tech. Sgt. and remained in the Army Reserve postwar, retiring with the rank of Major. He was on the military staff of the Governor of Iowa with the rank of Colonel.
While living in the Midwest, he served as President of Jaycees in Wisconsin and Iowa; County Chairman of the Republican Party in Iowa, and Past Master of a Masonic Lodge in Wisconsin. He received the Distinguished Service Award as the Outstanding Young Man in the State of Iowa and was nominated for “10 Outstanding Young Men” in the United States.
Don began his 36 year career with Mobil Oil Corporation as a truck driver, retiring in 1980 as Heating Oil Marketing Manager for the U.S. Division. He served as Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute (Wisconsin Division), and was involved with the Empire State Petroleum Association and the New England Fuel Institute. In 1980 he formed Petroleum Consultants, Inc.
Over the course of 43 years in New Canaan, he served as a commissioner on the Planning & Zoning Commission, president of the Senior Men’s Club, co-chairman of the Board of Directors of Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, president of the Fund for New Canaan, member of the Poinsettia Club, President of Mobil Retiree Club of Connecticut, and various committees for the Methodist Church, including the Church Council and the Staff Parish Committees.
He nourished a lifelong love of family & friends, fishing and hunting, and service to God, country and community. He will be greatly missed by many.
Services and interment will be held by the family in Sparta, Wisc.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, 761 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.