Donald Stanley Chakas
August 29, 1930 - November 11, 2015
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Donald Stanley Chakas
August 29, 1930 - November 11, 2015
Obituary
Donald S. Chakas passed away November 11, 2015. He was born in St Charles, IL. on August 29, 1930 to Stanley and Edith Chakas.
Donald joined Caterpillar in 1952 as a “hooker” on a boom crane at Joliet, IL. He went to night school in transportation and regulatory law and transferred to General Offices in Peoria, IL. He became the Supervisor of International Distribution and worked on the Industry side of developing containerization for intermodal distribution. Donald was an appointed member of “International Standards Organization” working with ocean carriers. He also was appointed to their steering committee of the Containerization and Intermodal Institute. Later served as President and then Chairman of that organization and remained on the Board of Directors until 1992.
In 1969, he joined a consortium made up of Cunard/Port Line, Blue Star Line, Ellermann Lines and the Australian National Line to build and operate container ships in the North American/Australia & New Zealand trades. A new company was formed, “Associated Container Transportation, operating as Pacific America Container Express (PACE Line) which was named by daughter, Patty. Donald was also appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager in 1982, with offices in the World Trade Center in New York. ACT operated 8 owned vessels, plus additional charters in this trade. Donald retired in 1991 and moved to Bellingham, WA.
Donald was strong willed, generous, intelligent, and engaging. He enjoyed going for drives and checking the Bellingham Harbor for ships, attending theatre/symphony events, cheering on his favorite teams, going on family outings, sharing stories, doting on his great grandchildren, giving active support to all he knew, reminiscing about his late wife Dolly, fishing, sharing good food with his friends and family. He was also very up-to-date, largely due to his passion for the stock market and daily news.
Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by son-in-law Glendon Scott and wife Marilyn McGarry; grandchildren Stewart Scott and wife Angela Polifroni, Greg Scott and wife Christy Scott, Danny Scott and wife Chrissy Ingram, and Jessica Scott; great grandchildren Jacob Scott and Isabel Scott. He was preceded in death by his wife Dolly Chakas; daughter Patricia Ann Scott; siblings Anne Chesney Smith and Marion Chesney.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Spring Creek, 223 E. Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may go to the local Diabetes Society, MS Society or charity of your choice.
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: January 1, 1970 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Spring Creek Assisted Living
- Location: 223 E Bakerview Dr Bellingham, WA 98226 - (Get Directions)
16 responses to Donald Stanley Chakas
Cj says:
November 11, 2015
I am very sorry to hear of you loss and wish to share with you a scripture at John 5: 28, 29, which states in part, that “all in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out”, yes a resurrection to life. May it be that the “peace of God that excels all thought . . . guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus”.(Phil. 4:7) The Bible gives hope, a resurrection hope, for our love ones. John 5:28, 29 states that “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out”. This is a sure hope, a real hope, that I too look forward.Please take care of yourselves, and each other. I Love you, but Jehovah loves you more.
Antony Foreman says:
November 11, 2015
I first got to know Don in 1975. He was then well established in New York as Exec VP for ACT/PACE, and I was the new boy on the block as PACE Manager in London. From the outset I couldn’t have hoped for a more helpful colleague to work with – one who could guide and always persuade me towards the “better way”, more appropriate to the American scene.Over the years, with near daily phone calls and frequent visits to New York our friendship grew. My wife Lilian who accompanied me on two such visits remembers Don with great affection and his kindness in making her stay in New York so enjoyable. One particular memory that impressed Lilian so much was Don’s immense pride in and affection for his grandchildren.
After ACT contact was confined to the exchange of Christmas greetings. We always new the card was from Don. Lighthouses – each year a different painting of a US west coast lighthouse!
Don, we will miss you (and the lighthouses), and cherish your memory.
Janice and Errol says:
November 11, 2015
Glendon, Marilyn and family,We were so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. We only met him once, at the wedding but he left an indelible impression on us because of his warm, strong, personality. Please accept our condolences and know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tante Claudette says:
November 11, 2015
Dear Angela and StuartMy condolences on the passing of your grandfather. He must have been a very interesting man. Sending you a hug and prayers.
Daphne (Vanda) Manuel says:
November 11, 2015
We considered ourselves so invincible when wewere teenagers and in high school only to find, as the years mounted up, that we weren’t. Don was one of those individuals who stood out and played such an integral part of all of those years. We were so lucky to have been able to count him as more than a “friend” and classmate and one who shall continue to remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Daphne (Vanda) Manuel
Milton, FL
Daps6800@aol.com