Image courtesy of Microse from DonLaFontaine.com
It was only a week ago today that we first posted about Don LaFontaine’s failing health. Over the past week reports from his family and friends were coming in that sounded hopeful - that sounded like Don was on the mend again. Maybe that’s why it seems harder to write that at 1:50PM on Monday September 1st, 2008, Don LaFontaine passed away from his illness at Cedar Sinai Hospital at the age of 68.
Don’s health has been touch and go over the past year due to throat and lung related illness. The official cause of death is still undetermined but his passing followed complications from Pneumothorax, the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, the result of a collapsed lung.
More news will surely come out over the following days and in the meantime we can only give our best and send our prayers to Don’s wife Nita, his three girls and all his close friends. A Titan in a world of kings, Don will be missed.
02 Sep 08 1:49 pm
Don is my cousin. He was the most loving, caring, generous man. A real family man whom always made time for everyone. A positive man that made you feel on top of the world. What ever was happening in your life, he was always there encouraging you to do well. He was amazing. I will miss him greatly.. I love you cousin…
02 Sep 08 2:05 pm
I’m terribly sorry for your families loss, Cindy. Don touched many lives, even if he never personally met them. I know that his spirit will live on in his work and all that he’s contributed to the world.
02 Sep 08 2:33 pm
Don was so special and we were blessed to have him in our family. He lit up a room when he entered it, his smile was amazing and his voice was beautiful. We will miss Don very much and we are grateful for many happy memories with him. Our prayers will continue for Nita and their girls. Words cannot express how sad we are for all of them. We love you Don.
02 Sep 08 4:01 pm
Donald is what the family mostly called him. He was my cousin but in our close-knit family more like a brother. We held him in loving respect and he returned that respect to each of us. There really are no words to express the loss I feel and the loss of each of my immediate siblings and their families and all the cousins who have contacted each other to share their grief at this loss. We will all miss him, his wit and love. Our prayers and love are with Nita, Skye and Elyes
02 Sep 08 5:27 pm
I will miss him too!
He was loving, genuine, and HILARIOUS!!
I’m so grateful to be able to see him again… someday!
love you Unle Don
02 Sep 08 5:49 pm
Don was my cousin. He was such an inspiration, and such a character. We would all sit around in awe of him, waiting for the next amazing or hilarious thing that he would say. He was like Peter Pan, the little boy who never grew up, full of life & wonder. He made you feel like you were connected to something so special, so incredible. He gave you the feeling that you could accomplish anything you set your heart to. He gave me the courage to sing, to follow my dreams, i will miss him terribly. He will always live in our hearts forever. I love you Donald…
02 Sep 08 6:57 pm
His talent is difficult to describe in words, however, it is what Don did outside of the studio that will forever leave a lasting impression in my life.
Don was someone who brought us together. His constant philanthropy and contributions to our family will always be unmatched. He was someone who never forgot where he came from and did everything in his power to bring those around him similar success.
Don was a loving husband, caring father, and amazing person who placed everyone around him above himself. For that he will forever be etched in our soles and memories.
02 Sep 08 7:03 pm
Don is my cousin. My mother’s cousin to be more precise. When I moved to Hollywood in 1980 our lives converged for the first time since I was a toddler. We were learning LA and sharing good times. I left and he stayed and made a great life for himself and his family. But I’ll never forget that year in which he showed himself to be an unselfish, fun loving man who put family and friends first. He lives in my heart and in our family remembrances. When I hear his voice from the multitudinous sources, I know his contribution to the world goes beyond family, beyond friends..it is limitless. In deference to his style and grace I leave you with this from one of his favorite novels, “There is one possession I take with me from this place. Tonight when I stand before God - and bow low to him, so that my forehead brushes his footstool, the firmament - I will stand again and proudly show Him that one pure possession - which I have never ceased to cherish or to share with all-and that is-
My enormous - panache.”
02 Sep 08 11:31 pm
Don, my younger cousin and like a little brother to me. memories of his spunk, laughter and drive to succeed continue to parade across my mind. When i left for college he assured me that in a few years he too would be able to leave his home town, Duluth, Minnesota. He promised me he would some day make a name for himself. He succeded in more ways than the voice of america but as a man with a heart full of love and compassion. Even though our paths have not crossed a lot in our adult lives, he has always been there when I needed him. when a difficult time for me, it was donald that came to my help. Thank you Donald for a life that exemplified not only the american dream but a strong man with a tender heart. God bless you Nita and you know my prayers are with you. love and prayers always, audrey. proverbs 3:5&6
03 Sep 08 12:30 pm
Don was a part of my family as well. He will be so greatly missed. He was one of the most positive people I have ever met. He made every person feel like they were the most important person in the room. My love and prayers go out to Anita and the girls.
03 Sep 08 2:49 pm
Don is my cousin, friend, and one time boss. I loved him and was part of the Memphis Mafia that surrounded him in the 80s and tried to protect him and keep him healthy.
Thank God for Anita. I find great comfort in knowing that the last 20 some years of his life were his happiest. Anita was his soulmate. Like he said…He was the luckiest guy on earth.
19 Oct 08 2:30 am
I’ve thought about writing this for weeks. I wanted to write the perfect words for a very special man. To say that my cousin Donald was so much to so many just doesn’t seem to be enough. He was a very busy man and yet found the time in his very busy schedule to invite me and a friend (Robin) to his beautiful home. He took the time to reach out to everyone he knew to share the goodness that he felt in his life. I knew this to be true because I could read it in his smile. Whether it was levitating a cousin in his kitchen or just laughing together at a reunion, it was always a good time. So thank you once again Don. You will always be in my heart and in the hearts of all that you’ve touched. To Nita, Skye, Elyes, and Christine, My heart goes out to you. Donald was truly the best!