Posted by Kay Sullivan on January 3, 2011:

I never knew Donald at West Point, but recognized him the first time he and Betty Jean walked into the Officers Club at Leavenworth in 1967. I had seen him at Mass on Sunday many times at West Point. Following graduation he and Bob were in different branches taking us in different directions for many years. I met Betty Jean at Leavenworth in a decoupage class, where we discovered we had much in common, both Irish Catholic from New York, totally different personalities, though you might say having been spoiled and indulged by our fathers. Somehow, the four of us started doing things together, probably organized by BJ. As it turned out Bob and Donald had a great deal in common, both very "Irish"--sentimental, loved to sing all the old Irish songs after a long evening of a bit of the "sauce". Donald had a great voice and knew every word of every old Irish song Bob's family would sing after a Sunday meal with the aunts and uncles--all from the "old country". After many renditions one of them would say either "Sull" or "Osh" what's that other song we know" and Donald would pull another one out of his is repertoire, they'd pour another drink and go on for hours. Neither BJ nor I were drinkers--BJ Pepsi only and I Coke or OJ, but it was so much fun being with those two beautiful Irishmen being "so Irish" that the hour didn't matter. This is supposed to be a tribute to and about Donald, but there's no way to do that without talking about our times with them. We eventually got our children together, their three boys and our son and three girls. We all became like family, the children like cousins to each other, again as BJ and I were different personalities, our children were different from each other as well..Their oldest Don, Jr. (Dee) was quiet, reserved, like our son, Robert, and their other two boys, John and Ross were typical roughhouse boys (we thought) and our girls typical girls. When Robert and our middle daughter, Terry, were to be confirmed at the Post Chapel they each needed a sponsor, so it was perfectly natural for them to ask BJ and Donald to be their sponsors. Robert taking the name Michael (Don's middle name) and Terry (Elizabeth), BJ's first name. Around December it became clear to Bob that his next assignment would be Viet Nam so he decided we should take a family vacation for Christmas at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, where we had spent our first year and where our first child, Missy, was born. The O'Sheis thought that sounded like fun so they and BJ's parents met us there. What fun it was for all of us, children skating and skiing together during the day, while we partied together at night. At Easter BJ "discovered" a hotel near Leavenworth in Excelsior Springs MO that we went to, again all children together, Easter baskets, delivered to rooms while Bob won the jelly bean contest, the prize being the jar full of jbs and a bottle of champagne. Such happy times together. Back to Donald and the kind of person he was, kind, ompassionate, loving and caring. After Leavenworth I came to Alexandria with the children when Bob went to Viet Nam, Donald and family moved to Bethesda at the same time. They included us in their Thanksgiving dinner plans, thankfully. Shortly after that I learned I needed surgery at Walter Reed and it was arranged that Bob would come back on emergency leave. Donald found out the flight arrangements that were made for Bob's return in January. I went to their house in Bethesda as Don drove late in the evening to whatever place in NJ (not exactly around the corner) that Bob was coming into while BJ and I waited until they arrived in the wee hours of the morning. Donald went with Bob to the hospital every day I was there after receiving a poor prognosis. He was for Bob a great source of support and consolation through the entire ordeal. I'm sure they shared many scotches in trying to come to grips with the situation. Isn't that what friends are about--dedicated through whatever it takes, loyal to the end? Obviously, all ended well for me as I'm here to tell the story. Bob made it back safely to and from Viet Nam, then it was Donald's turn to return there. While there he had a medical emergency and was evacuated back here to Walter Reed. Bob's turn to visit him with I suspect a small bottle on the sly. After Don's recovery we all spent lots more time together, cementing our relationship Sulls and Oshes. After some years the O'Sheis moved to San Francisco. But tragedy strikes and then who does one call on, but your nearest, dearest friend who you know you can call on when you need comfort and help. In mid April 1983, late in the evening Bob heard a knock on the door. It was the Alexandria police to tell us that our son, Robert, who had just been transferred to Vancouver, BC, had died in his sleep in his hotel room. I was already upstairs asleep and even before telling me, Bob called Donald to tell him. It happened that the O'Sheis were at home in San Francisco celebrating Dee's 21st birthday. Dee offered to go to Vancouver to take care of all that would have to be done. An enormous task for a young fellow on his 21st birthday. Several days later after completing the necessary requirements Dee arrived here on the flight with Robert's body. This has been much too long and not enough words about Don, but the story needed to be told to describe the loss all the Sullivans feel in losing Donald now, and last year Betty Jean. What a great loss to all the O'Shei boys and their children. We Sullivans send our condolences and prayers and will always treasure their support, kindness, loyalty and happy memories. May they both rest in peace, Kay, Missy, Terry and Denise

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