Donald Bruce English, 72, of Easton, died Saturday, December 21, 2013 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.
Born: December 15, 1941 in Scranton, he was a son of the late Claude Sax English and Ruth Inez (Leader) English.
Personal: He and his wife, the former Joan M. Horvath were married 46 years. He was a police officer for the Easton Police Department for 31 years most recently serving as the Crime Prevention Officer until retiring in 2002. He was an Intelligence Specialist in the Navy Reserve for 21 years. He also served as the Northampton County Court liaison. He graduated from Wilson Area High School in 1959 and was a graduate of Lehigh County Community College and East Stroudsburg University. He received his master’s degree from Villanova University.
Memberships: Donald was a member of Palmer Moravian Church where he served as an elder, trustee and head sacristan. He served on the board of the Boy’s Club, Easton. He was president of the Exchange Club, Easton and the Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officer’s Association. He was a member of the American Society of Industrial Security, the Navy Enlistment Reserve Association (NERA), Easton Lodge #152, F&AM, and a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley.
Survivors: wife, Joan; a daughter, Jennifer B. Keefer of Frederick, MD; a son, Bruce M. English of Howard, PA; two brothers, Dr. Jack E. English and Brian W. English; and a grandson, Matthew. Two brothers, Glenn A. English and Wayne C. English died earlier.
Services: Services will be held at 2:30 pm Friday, Dec. 27 in Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Palmer Township. A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in the church with Masonic Services at 2:00 pm. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.
Memorial Contributions: American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Barbara Scherer
December 24, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Dearest Joan, I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. When we met a few weeks ago you said he was very ill at that time. It sounds like Donald was a wonderful man and I’m sorry I never had the pleasure of meeting him. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days. May God give you courage, strength and peace as Donald now sits at God’s right hand as one of his special angels. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Barbara Scherer
Dennis M. O’Connell
December 25, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Dear Joan….I am deeply saddened to hear of Don’s passing. The City of Easton has indeed lost an extraordinary man who never sought the “limelight” but did his job every day in an effective, caring, passionate and professional manner. It was indeed a HONOR and a PRIVILEGE to have worked with Don in the Easton Police Department as part of his Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch initiatives in the 80’s and early 90’s. His ideas and strategies to reduce crime in Easton were far ahead of his contemporaries at the time and if they had been implemented at that time then the West Ward, which is where I work these days, would be a much safer place today. Don will be greatly missed by the thousands of lives that he has touched and has had a positive impact on. I know because I am one of them. God Bless you and your family through these very difficult days….our prayers are with you….Den and Carole O’Connell