Donald Gahn, recently of Shrewsbury and a longtime resident of Rumson and Fair Haven, passed away peacefully June 18, 2025. He was 98 years old.
Born in Philadelphia, Don moved to Sea Bright and then to Rumson when he was school age. He joined St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church to sing in the choir. His association and love of the congregation lasted throughout his life.
He was president of the Class of 1944 at Rumson High School, which he attributed to being the youngest guy and everyone else was in uniform. Don went into the Navy as soon as he was old enough. He was proud to receive a Fleet appointment to the Naval Academy, although he did not attend.
After World War II, Don went to Monmouth Junior College for his associate’s degree. He later returned for his bachelor’s as Monmouth became a four-year college.
Donald worked for many years in the automobile industry. He managed S.B. King and Sons Cadillac-Oldsmobile and was instrumental as the business moved from East Main Street in Freehold to Route 9. He later worked for McFadden Motors and Straub Motors and was a past president of the Matawan Rotary. After he retired, he drove a school bus for Murphy Bus Co. for a number of years.
Don was a charter member of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. He was sponsored for membership at Monmouth Boat Club in Red Bank in the 1970s by Arnie Schwartz, a Chrysler-Plymouth car dealer. Don sailed and raced an N10 ‘Turnabout’ and also crewed in the Sanderling class at MBC. Don spent many happy hours on the water in a variety of sail and motor vessels.
He sang for many years with the Monmouth Civic Chorus in Red Bank. Don was on the governing board of YMCA Camp Ockanickon through the Red Bank Y. He and his family spent many happy hours in the cabins, in the dining hall, and on the lake at Ocky.
Don was predeceased by his wife, the former Kathy Thomas Whitney, who died in May 2024. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Toni Gahn and John Luard, Teri and Paul Sherman, and Nanette and Paul Pezzutti, and their mother, Nancy, and Kathy’s son, Jon and his wife Mary Ellen Whitney. He is survived by grandchildren Vanessa Pezzutti, Vincent Pezzutti and his wife Siwei, David Sherman, Kevin Sherman, and Valery Sherman. He leaves five nieces and nephews, including Susanne Errickson-Napoli, with whom he recently had a lovely visit.
A funeral service was held June 26 at St. George’s-by-the-River, Rumson. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. George’s in Don’s memory would be kind.
The article originally appeared in the June 26 – July 2, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
