Donald E. Church

Donald E. Church (“Pop-Pop”) passed away on February 5, 2025 at home with his wife, Joan, by his side. He was 77.

Born in Rahway, NJ, to the late Ida (nee Granata) and Warren Church, Don grew up in Scotch Plains, NJ, and attended St. Bartholomew’s Elementary School in Scotch Plains, and Holy Trinity High School in Westfield in the Class of 1965. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University where he studied Industrial Technology, graduating in 1970.

Don had a strong love of math, and as an adult student, he attended Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch, NJ, where he completed an associate’s degree in mathematics. He didn’t stop there. Don later earned a master’s degree in mathematics (Applied Statistics) from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2002.

For many years, for much of his adult life, Don lived in Pittstown, NJ, before moving to Forks Township, PA in 2014. He was active in his community serving as a member of the Union Township Hunterdon County NJ Environmental Commission. Don felt a strong sense of community throughout many parts of his life. In addition to serving as a volunteer at Hunterdon County’s “Mr. Fix-it” program, he also was a mathematics tutor at Raritan Valley Community College and later at ProJeCt Easton, where he tutored students pursuing completion of their GED. He also was a member of the Emergency Response Team/Murray Hill Fire Brigade during his employment with Bell Labs.

Don was employed at American Smelting & Refining Company, Federated Medals Division, Newark, NJ, from 1970 to 1980. It was here that he met his oldest and dearest friend, George Schroeder. In 1981, he joined Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ, where he served as Engineering Manager – Nanotechnology Research Clean Room, Facility Manager, and finally, Climate Change Manager at Alcatel-Lucent, before retiring in 2013. He made so many friends at Bell Labs, including Larry Federico, who remained a part of his life even after retirement.

The last two-and-a half years of his life were spent living with his daughter, Melissa, and her family in Lambertville, NJ. He was a devoted grandfather who shared his love of baseball with his grandson, Jonathan, and love of cooking with granddaughter, Kaitlin, and grandson, Nicholas. He shared his empathetic nature and willingness to help others with his grandson, Thomas. Don was a lifelong fan of NY Rangers Hockey and Yankees Baseball, in addition to spending many a Sunday afternoon watching golf.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joan; his daughter, Melissa; son-in-law, Jesse, and four grandchildren, Kaitlin, Jonathan, Thomas, and Nicholas; sisters, Maureen Kucharski and Carol Burinda; brother, Wayne and sister-in-law, Bella; brother-in-law, Paul (Ed Edwards); brother-in-law, James (Young), and several nieces and nephews. He also is survived by dear friends, George, Imelda, and Nicole Schroeder.

A Celebration of Don’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Interment will be private. Calling hours will be Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 11:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don’s memory to ProJeCt Easton, 320 Ferry St, Easton, PA 18042, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 US, or the Spina Bifida Association, 2000 Duke St. Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.