Donald E. Lydick, Catholic deacon
Deacon Donald E. Lydick passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
Don was born July 31, 1938, in Cass Lake, Minn. He was raised in Ahmeek, Mich., graduated from Calumet High School in 1957, joined the Air Force in 1958, and spent three years in Istanbul, Turkey. Following Don’s discharge from the Air Force, he attended the College of Insurance in New York City and worked as a commercial lines agent in both New York City and New Jersey for most of his career.
Deacon Don was ordained to the diaconate May 12, 1982, in the Diocese of Trenton, N.J., and he began his ministry at St. Gabriel's Parish, in Marlboro, N.J. He and his wife Janet moved to Delaware in July 1992, and resided in Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Milton, and Milford. Deacon Don served at St. Ann's Church, Bethany Beach, and later at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Lewes. As a deacon, he was blessed to officiate at the marriages of his daughters and to baptize his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his duties at St. Ann's and St. Jude the Apostle, Don served as the Family Service/Pastoral Associate at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.
Don and Janet enjoyed traveling, especially their many trips to the South of France and Paris. Two memorable trip highlights include a hot air balloon ride in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the celebration of their 52nd wedding anniversary at the Le Grand Colbert in Paris.
In addition to his wife of 63 years, Janet, he is also survived by his three daughters, Yvonne (Jim), Michelle (Tim) and Nicole (Len); nine grandchildren, Kerri, Colleen, Alyssa, Ashley, Devin, Brandon, Cameron, Taylor and Len IV; and 14 great-grandchildren, Arya, Marissa, Karter, Mila, Basil, Brycen, Baylen, Layla, Scarlet, Weston, Ellie, Rae, Leo and Christiana.
He was preceded in death by his Aunt Mary and Uncle Ed Petermann; his mother, Minnie Lydick; his father, Donald F. Lydick; and his sister, Yvonne Lydick Railey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 1, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. A viewing will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. Entombment will be private at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Deacon Don's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
