Donald George Straw

  General Notes:

DONALD GEORGE STRAW '55 Commander Donald G. Straw, SC, USN (Ret.), passed away on 21 January 2007 as a result of a complete circulatory failure. He was 76 years old. A native of Sugar Hill, NH, he enlisted in the Navy in 1948, after gradu- ating from high school. Upon receiving his congressional appointment and attending the Naval Preparatory School, he entered the Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1955. Upon graduation on 3 June, he and the former Sally Bass of Littleton, NH, were married on 12 June 1955. His first duty station was the Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, GA. He then reported aboard the destroyer HYMAN, homeported in Newport, RI. This assignment launched "Strawbo" and his family into more than 20 years of fascinating duty and worldwide travel, including the Sound Laboratory in New London, CT; Midway Island, where bicycles were the only mode of transportation; WASP homeported in Quonset Point, RI; Paris, France, and Stuttgart, Germany both with NATO; the Aviation Supply Office in Philadelphia, PA; Office of Legislative Affairs on Capitol Hill; and finally, after that "eye opening" experience, the Old Gun Factory U.S. Naval Station, Washington, DC. In 1976, Strawbo retired from naval service, returning home to Sugar Hill, NH. He'd had an interest in politics, particularly on the state level, and in 1988, made an unsuccessfull run for the State Senate. Other endeavors and interest included owning a General Business Services franchise and an association with a local lumber processing plant. During this period he, also became a broker in the mortgage and annuities business. Strawbo was a member of the Sugar Hill Volunteer Fire Department, served on the local school board and was a selectman for the town. He was a Mason, a Legionnaire and a card-carrying member of the NRA. He was a strong, solid, opinionated American, the last of a breed. He never held back on what his position was on issues, large or small.You knew where he stood. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Sally; children, Kimberly "Kim", Victoria "Tori" and Donald "Stutt"; and ten grandchildren. Sadly, three weeks after Don's death, Sally passed away as a result of cancer. A memorial service was held for Strawbo this last January, a final service and interment for both Don and Sally will be conducted on 19 May 2007 in Franconia, NH.

Donald married Sally Bass on 12 Jun 1955. (Sally Bass was born circa 1932 in New Hampshire and died in Feb 2007 in New Hampshire.)