Donald Ray Gorby

Donald Ray Gorby, age 71, passed away June 19, 2021, at his residence in Painesville.  He was born June 24, 1949, in West Union, West Virginia to Dora and Mary F. (Lackey) Gorby.

Don served in the United States Army, and he was very proud to be a veteran. He worked for Eaton Aerospace Corporation as a machinist for 48 years, where he served as the UAW Local 2262 Vice President. He was a member of the Elks Lodge B. P. O. E. #549 and American Legion Post #336.

Don enjoyed a love of fishing from the time he was young when his father-in-law Thomas MacWilliams taught him to fly fish. He continued this tradition by fishing for trout, steelhead, and smallmouth bass in the Grand River. He also loved to take his fishing boat out on Lake Erie.

Don loved working in his yard, his pink magnolia tree, having “Don-Fires” and mowing “the back 40” on his property. He loved sitting on his front porch, “yoo-hooing” with his neighbors, and watching the birds at his many birdhouses. He loved grilling out and he liked to call himself “The Grillmeister.”

Don loved sausage gravy with biscuits, chicken and dumplings, crab legs, and making his famous bean soup. He loved watching The History Channel, Band of Brothers, and Jerry Springer.

He liked spending time with his grandchildren, and he enjoyed attending his grandson’s sporting events. He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns, and he was looking forward to the upcoming season.

Don is survived by his wife, Gail (Pilkington) Gorby; son, Johnny Ozinga; brothers, Eddie Gorby and Keith Lackey; sister, Anita Alverado, stepdaughter Devone Lansing and son-in-law Jesse Lansing, and his grandkids.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Colleen MacWilliams Gorby, his beloved dogs, Bosco and Baghera, and his cat Cleo.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at Perry Cemetery on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Perry Cemetery, 3840 Middle Ridge Road, Perry, Ohio 44081.

Donations can be made in Don’s honor to Lake County Humane Society.

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