"I'd like to offer my condolences .. to the family of this One-of-a-kind human. ( I just learned of his passing a year late). Don offered me friendship when I needed it most .. he saved my life, when I was in peril. R.I.P. , Don. I'll always remember your Kindness and Generosity. Jean J Vancouver, Canada ?????????"
In loving memory of
Don Julius DeSeranno
August 25, 1945 - April 14, 2021
Don Julius DeSeranno, 75-year-old former resident of Grosse Pointe Park, died peacefully at home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
Son of Rene and Aline (Maertens) DeSeranno, Don was born on August 25, 1945 in Detroit. He spent his early days at Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School and made many lifelong friends at Austin High School. After attending Marquette University, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an Officer in the Reserves.
He worked in the family business, Cold Heading Company, for many years. He was the Co-Vice Consul of Belgium in Detroit and worked in the Belgian community with his father.
Don always enjoyed himself in everything he did, from being a loyal supporter of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, to being an avid antique car collector. His children have fond memories of his favorites, a trio of Thunderbirds that were red (1957), white (1955), and blue (1956).
Don was a talented musician, playing several instruments beautifully, and loved to sing along to entertain the family. He enjoyed watching his son play hockey, and oftentimes took on active roles. He followed all of the various sports and activities of his grandchildren. He was always reading a book and he loved to have animated political discussions. Enjoying good company over a good meal was something he always looked forward to and made sure that everyone enjoyed themselves as much as he did. He had an unlimited repertoire of witty jokes and legendary stories.
He enjoyed his retirement in Las Vegas spending many years as an independent customer representative. He regularly hosted barbecue gatherings for family and friends. He was kind and generous to many.
Don was very proud of his seven children, twenty grandchildren and excited for the twenty-first on the way. He spoke of them often, sharing photos with anyone nearby.
Don was predeceased by his father, Rene DeSeranno, and his mother Aline (Maertens) DeSeranno. Don is survived by his children, Deidree Lohr, Maria Quint (David), Don Joseph DeSeranno (Corissa), Celia Wade (Steven), Aline DeSeranno-Ermanni, Susan Rahaim (Robert), and Dante DeSeranno; grandchildren, Kelsey Lohr, Abigail Lohr, Krystian Quint, Alyssa Quint, Rene Quint, Abigail Quint, Don Jeidus DeSeranno, Seren DeSeranno, Leander DeSeranno, Maveri DeSeranno, Odin DeSeranno, Jackson Wade, Charles Wade, Julian Wade, Robert Ermanni, Sadie Ermanni, Grace Rahaim, Maya Rahaim, Aline Rahaim, and Faith Rahaim; his sister Elizabeth (G. John) Stevens; nephews Derek Stevens (Nicole) and Greg Stevens (Anne); many cousins and close friends.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021 at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, Grosse Pointe Farms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Don's honor to the DeSeranno Charitable Foundation, 501(c)3, established in 2007, at 18720 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.
Please share a fond memory on the family's online guestbook, at www.verheyden.org.
Tributes
"I have been doing Don?s hair for about 14 yrs. I always enjoyed Don coming in we always had great laughs and conversations. He got me tickets for His buddy Rich Little?s show. It was so fun he went with us and Introduced us to Rich. Don always made sure he had his perm before he went back home to visit. He said none of his grandkids have ever seen him without curls so he had to keep up his perms so they would think that he had his curls. I will miss our appointments for his hair. My prayers are with his family and friends. Don will be missed. ??????"
"You?re the best part of me Dad. The way that you helped and loved the people in your life, will be honored in my own actions as I go forth without you physically being here. I learned so much from you in only 9 yrs. You are of course profoundly still with me and I feel you in the room even as I am typing this now. One of the last things that you specifically told me was to make more time for relationships and less time at work. More cherished wisdom from you and again true....especially after seeing all the people that came out to celebrate your life this week. The endless amounts of love that hundreds of people feel for you was magical. We could probably hold a celebration every year which might be kind of a neat idea, but we?re going do it all again in June in Las Vegas because there?s no way all of your friends could all fit in one space. It?s a testament to the way that we all should be living our own lives. You?re in our hearts and souls of Kelsey and Abby too as they will have the funnest, most amazing memories of their adoring ?Gramps? that will carry them throughout their own lives. We are terribly grateful for everything that you were to us and will never stop holding your memories dear in our hearts. Blessings and In Joy, Deidree, Kelsey and Abby. Or as you called us: MamaZen, Kels and Luigi! XOXO Love you forever ??"
"You?re the best part of me Dad. The way that you helped and loved the people in your life, will be honored in my own actions as I go forth without you physically being here. I learned so much from you in only 9 yrs. You are of course profoundly still with me and I feel you in the room even as I am typing this now. One of the last things that you specifically told me was to make more time for relationships and less time at work. More cherished wisdom from you and again true....especially after seeing all the people that came out to celebrate your life this week. The endless amounts of love that hundreds of people feel for you was magical. We could probably hold a celebration every year which might be kind of a neat idea, but we?re going do it all again in June in Las Vegas because there?s no way all of your friends could all fit in one space. It?s a testament to the way that we all should be living our own lives. You?re in our hearts and souls of Kelsey and Abby too as they will have the funnest, most amazing memories of their adoring ?Gramps? that will carry them throughout their own lives. We are terribly grateful for everything that you were to us and will never stop holding your memories dear in our hearts. Blessings and In Joy, Deidree, Kelsey and Abby. Or as you called us: MamaZen, Kels and Luigi! XOXO Love you forever ??"
"From the Rogers Family- Longtime friends and neighbors (on Middlesex) of Don and family in Grosse Pointe Park. We are all very saddened to hear the news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My father (Fred Sr.-deceased in 2014) and Don were great friends for many years, through the good time's and the bad times. My mother (Marylee- now 85) is living with me in Brighton and both had shared many stories with me over the years and more today. It was a honor to have known Don. He was quite a man and I know his legacy will live on! God Bless him and his family during this time of sorrow and sadness, The Rogers Family fer2cpm@hotmail.com "