Surrounded by his wife and "his girls," Donald Joseph Fracul passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Born on November 3, 1934, he graduated from Shenango High School in 1952, where he played tackle and made the All-County football team. After graduation, he was employed at Liberty Mutual Insurance and Rockwell International before enlisting in the United States Navy from 1954-1958. He attended boot camp in Bainbridge, New Jersey, and trained at machinist mate school in Great Lakes, Michigan, before serving on the U.S.S. Ingraham Dd-694 until he was discharged as a Machinist Mate Second Class. In 1954, he eloped to Waukegan, Illinois, to marry his high school sweetheart, Irene Kervi. From 1958-1966 they owned and operated Fracul's Market, an independent grocery store. He also worked full and part-time as a butcher at Axe's Market until the time of its closing. During that time, he attended Geneva College, earning a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and social studies education. Mr. Fracul taught history and business at Lawrence County Vo-Tech High School for thirty years before retiring in 1999. During that time, he earned a Master's Degree in history from Westminster College. Don sang in the Good Shepard Lutheran Church Choir for thirty-five years, in addition to serving on the church council. He enjoyed Lake Erie vacations with his children and family, fishing, boating, hunting, and trips to Florida after retirement. An avid reader, he loved good stories, whether they were novels, films, television programs, or even commercials. He was a pretty decent handyman, a great listener, and offered sound advice. Additionally, possessing a rare blood type, he was celebrated by the American Red Cross for his regular donations. More than anything, he loved his five grandchildren, to whom he was a fantastic role model, always teaching by example, offering endless love, an abundance of patience, and never-ending kindness. His wife described him as both a gentleman and a gentle man. Friends and family understand that he did not lose his battle with cancer, so much as he lived with it for fourteen years with as much grace and courage as possible and is now at peace in the arms of his parents, Joseph and Helen Fracul as well as his grandson Ryan Lucas Bees. He is survived by his brother,Thomas Fracul (wife, Dorothy Fracul). He will be deeply missed by many who were touched by his generous spirit, and his loss will be felt most deeply by his wife Irene, daughters Debra Bees (husband, Donald Bees) and Deanna Fracul (husband, Norman Conti), as well as his grandchildren Jason Mathew Bees, Carter Donald Fracul-Conti, Greyson Maxwell Fracul-Conti, and Esme Doreian Fracul-Conti. Plans are being made to hold a celebration in honor of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Memorial donations to support cancer research for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be mailed to: UPMC Hillman Cancer Center UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B 5150 Centre Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Arrangements have been entrusted to the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. of New Castle where online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com