Don Deno

DENO, Don W., 97, of Ruskin, passed away peacefully at his home on September 12, 2021 due to natural causes. Born on September 3, 1924 to Norman and Edith Deno and raised in the suburban Chicago area, he began college at University of Illinois which was interrupted by WWII. The US Navy used his talents to teach radio and radar. Afterwards, he earned his B.S. in electrical engineering at Cornell. While working full time, he completed a masters and Ph.D. in EE at University of Pennsylvania.

He was a licensed Professional Engineer, beginning a lifelong career (35+ years) at General Electric in radar, aircraft, missile reentry systems, television and culminating his career with innovative measurements of electric fields and commencing a side career at his own company Electric Field Measurements creating and manufacturing a meter to measure electromagnetic fields. He was a fellow of the IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, reflecting on his career's contributions to high voltage power transmission.

He was a longtime resident of Stockbridge, MA, and loved to sail and create - with wood, in his home and in electronics. His lakeside home on Stockbridge Bowl hosted many a gathering of family and friends using sail boat, ski boat, and canoes and created many family memories for his wife, children and grandchildren in a picturesque setting. The lakeside home inspired service on the Conservation Commission for the town of Stockbridge and devising water quality sensor computer program for Blandford Water Systems. In 2013, he retired to Ruskin, Florida with his wife, Christine and became the cofounder of the Kayak/Canoe Club for Hawaiian Isles RV Resort in Ruskin, leading weekly paddle trips for 15 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Christine H. Deno; son, D. Curt Deno (Fern); daughters, Gail M. Nehls (Carl), and Maryann Deno Brock (Tony), and five grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Norman and Edith Deno; brother, Norman Jr.; former wife, Albina D. Deno, and niece, Jan Deno Sealover. We will miss his enthusiasm and passion. A graveside service for Don was held on September 18, 2021 at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Gainesville, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's memory can be made to Lifepath Hospice, My Warrior's Place or a charity of one's choice. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family at www.segalfuneralhome.com.