Donald James Wilson was born on July 7, 1935, to the late Lloyd Wilson, Sr., and Josephine P. Handy-Wilson. He was a well renowned member of the Westville community.
Affectionately known as “Cree”, Donald graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1953. He was a licensed Plumber. He was Head Deacon, and an Elder of the Mount Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was the Director of Community Services there, where he established a Food Pantry and Clothing Distribution Center on Shelton Ave and Ivy Street in New Haven, CT. He was a connoisseur of fine time pieces, and his hobby was to collect watches. Donald retired as Captain of the New Haven Fire Department. He was the Inspector of Public Safety. Captain Wilson was the founding father of the Firebird Society of Greater New Haven, Inc., which was incorporated on March 22, 1971. He was the first President of the Firebirds Society, which remains incorporated to this date.
Donald was predeceased by his mother, Josephine P. Handy-Wilson; father, Lloyd Wilson, Sr.; sister, Dolores Washington (Odell); brothers, William Wilson (Ruth), Harry K. Wilson (Olivia); granddaughter, Jada Wilson.
He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Mrs. Dorothy Batts Wilson; brother, Lloyd Wilson, Jr. (Angela); sister, Arlene Wilson; daughters, Karen Wilson (Horace), Gail Wilson (Damon), Donna Wilson-Tilley (Jimmy); grandchildren, Keith McMillan (Shameka), Samuel McMillan (Angelic), Ronesha Cox (Eric), Ronnie Cox (Jasmine), Nikkisha Wilson, Somalia Henderson, Cory Wilson and Charlene Wilson; God-Daughter, Lorraine Roberson and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, family and relatives.
Captain Donald James Wilson will be sadly missed.
The Wilson Family would like to thank each and every one of you for your warm wishes, comfort, support and words of encouragement during their time of bereavement.