Don was my good friend for many years. I trained with Don frequently at Clancy's (Walnut Creek) and often at Gold's Venice. We also trained a few times back in Detroit at Armentos Gym.
Don was a hero to a lot of people and a real real pleasure to be around. It didn't matter if he was being 'Ripper Savage' or 'Cousin Crusher' or just Don, he was a blast. One time, me, The Ripper and the Dabbish Boys (Will & Norm) had lunch at the Firehouse in Venice and those three guys together were a riot. The meal ended in a street brawl. LOL.
Just by chance, on the day Don left, I called his house and Rita (Don's wife) answered the phone (I had no idea what had happened a few hours ago). She was somewhat incoherent and I could not figure out what she was saying. I was calling Don about some of his 'Neck Contest' photos and Rita was just crying. I thought she was laughing really hard and I started laughing as well. She finally said, "Tom, Don's gone." I said, "Well where the hell did he go? And when is he coming home?" She finally explained to me that he died a few hours ago. It hit me like a bolt of lightning when I realized what she was really saying.
Don was a Champion and a Crusader and I'll miss him for the rest of my life.
-Tom