John Wallace Donkus

VENICE, Fla. – John Wallace Donkus, born April 4, 1936, in Lisbon, Maine, passed away peacefully on Sept. 23, 2025, in Venice, Fla.

Graduated from Lisbon High School in 1954, enlisted in the U.S. Navy February 1955. First submarine was the USS Corsair SS435 in February 1956, the USS Piper SS409, then the USS Thomas Edison SS610. After an 82 days submerged patrol and 11 years of submarine service, resigned and went to work as a civilian for the Navy and retired in 1996 with 36 years of service. Went into business for himself as ‘John’s Stump Grinding’, for about eight years.

While wintering in Venice, Fla., he began a lifelong dream of taking flying lessons at Venice Airport and finished up at Carlisle, Pa., Airport … he loved flying with his many friends in both locales.

John is survived by wife, Kathleen Bolze Donkus; son, Chris Donkus of Lisbon, son, Adam Donkus of Boyertown, Pa., son, Chris Golaszewski of Seattle, Wash., and son, Scott Golaszewski of Boiling Springs, Pa.; one sister, Camille Booker of Lisbon; four grandchildren, Evan Donkus of Denver, Colo., Catherine Dana Donkus of Kutztown, Pa., Olivia Donkus of Portland, and Cole Donkus of Kutztown, Pa.

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be mailed to

Tidewell Hospice

3550 S. Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34239