Donald Joseph Cheh, 76, of Southbury, formerly a 42-year resident of Bethel, died at Danbury Hospital October 27. He was born in Norwalk, January 10, 1938, and was the son of the late Joseph and Sonia Dutka Cheh. 

His high school sweetheart, Maryellen, whom he married in 1961; two sons, Keith, and his wife Patricia, of Newtown, and their children Shannon and Steven, and Kevin, and his wife Alison, of Oxford, and their sons, Adam of Southington and Airman Kyle of Robins AFB, Ga.; his sisters Linda Essig, and husband Ray, of Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., and Elaine Cheh of Norwalk; brother Joseph Cheh, and his wife Pamela, of Brookfield; and nieces and nephews survive Mr Cheh. His 4½-year-old grandson, Michael, predeceased him.

Mr Cheh was a member of the Rowayton Fire Department and worked for 42 years with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, #208, where he served on the executive board and the negotiating committee.

With his love of the outdoors and sports, you would be hard pressed to find him without a fishing pole in his hand, working in his garden, or coaching or watching a sporting event, especially those of his grandchildren. He was a member of the Newtown Fish and Game Club, the South Norwalk Boat Club, and was also a founding member of the Candlewood Valley Pop Warner football in Bethel, in 1967. He contributed many years to the program in different capacities, from coach to president. 

Moving to Heritage Village in 2003, Mr Cheh loved his retirement years there. He served on various committees and served on the board of directors for the River Garden Club, making many new friends. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Church in Southbury.

Without question, his priority in life was his family. His family remembers him as an awesome husband, father, and grandfather.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, November 10, at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury, at 11 am. The church chapel will be open from 9 to 10:30 am that morning for those who would like to visit with the family first.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or PO Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675, or to REACH, Inc at www.reachnewtown.org or at REACH Newtown, 21 The Boulevard, Newtown CT 06470.

Online condolences may be made at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, Southbury.