Donald Joseph Cheh, 76, of Southbury, CT, formerly a 42-year resident of Bethel, passed away at Danbury Hospital on Monday, October 27, 2014. He was born in Norwalk, CT on January 10th, 1938, the son of the late Joseph and Sonia Dutka Cheh. Don is survived by his high school sweetheart, Maryellen, whom he married in 1961. He leaves behind two sons, Kevin and his wife Alison of Oxford, and their sons, Adam of Southington and Airman Kyle, of Robins AFB, Georgia, and Keith and his wife Patricia of Newtown and their children Shannon and Steven. He was predeceased by his four and a half year old grandson Michael. Don is also survived by his sister Linda Essig and husband Ray of Hohokus, N.J., his sister Elaine Cheh of Norwalk, CT., and a brother Joseph Cheh and his wife Pamela of Brookfield, CT. and nieces and nephews.

Don grew up in Rowayton and Norwalk, CT. He 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 Don's 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, 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, CT since its inception in 1967. He contributed many years to the program in different capacities from coach to president.

Moving to Heritage Village in 2003, he loved his retirement years there. Don 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, Don's priority in life was his family. He was an awesome husband, father, and grandfather!

Memorials: Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) P.O. Box 758517; Topeka, Kansas 66675 and Reach, Inc., REACH Newtown serves over 100 children through their mentoring program and Ascension program for youth at risk. Their mission is to connect kids and build relationships and change lives. Please visit www.reachnewtown.org to make an online donation or send checks to REACH Newtown, 21 The Boulevard, Newtown, CT 06470.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Sacred Heart Church

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Mon. Nov. 10th, at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury at 11am.

Visitation: The church chapel will be open from 9-10: 30 that morning for those who would like to visit with the family first.