Donald Louis Dwiel

Donald Louis Dwiel of Englewood, Florida passed away peacefully at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on January 29, 2020 at age 85. Don was born on April 27, 1934 to Rachael Gualano and Edward Dwiel in Chicago, Illinois. Don spent his early years in the Chicago area where he admired and enjoyed his Italian grandparents from whom he developed an affinity for Italian cuisine and fine wines. He graduated from college in Illinois and served in the US Army in post-WWII Europe. From that experience he often recalled easy duty and good times touring in his Austin Healy sports car. Don studied for and earned his CPA license on the first sitting in Washington D. C. in 1962 and was promptly employed by a prestigious accounting firm. He resided in the Virginia suburbs and enjoyed the good life as a single professional. At the time, he was a proud owner of Sunbeam Alpine sports car. In 1963, Don accepted a position with the State Department and traveled extensively in Asia. During that time, he was also dating his future wife, Arlette Fels, who had immigrated to America from Alsace, France. They were married in Arlington, VA on December 21, 1963. Shortly after their marriage, Don accepted a position with the Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston Salem North Carolina where he engaged in a successful career of over 25 years. He and Arlette raised their family (3 boys) in Winston- Salem and began their life-long adventure with dachshunds. His work at Reynolds included an assignment as a plant manager in New Castle, England where the boys attended private school, and the family had access to a company apartment in London. They returned to the US on the Concorde Super Sonic airplane. Don and Arlette retired to the Boca Royale community of Englewood, FL in the mid 1980's. Don was well known in the community and was easy to recognize in his red Corvette convertible or walking on Golf View Drive with one of his dachshunds. Don was a member of Saint Raphael's Catholic Church in Englewood. He was a kind and gentle soul who was generous with his friends, family and community. For many years he maintained a route in Venice working with the Venice Area Mobile Meals and would always take extra time to engage with his customers. He served a long tenure as Chairman of the Venice Area Mobile Meals organization and was recognized for his service by the Venice community. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob of Des Plaines, Illinois, his wife Arlette and his sons Matthew and Marc (recently deceased of Sarasota). He is survived by his son Michael Dwiel of Charlotte NC, his granddaughter Kimberly Salone, great- grandson Kingston of Atlanta and his dog Moxy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Venice Area Mobile Meals, 950 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34258. A memorial mass is planned for March 23, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in Englewood. A Celebration of Life will follow, the details will be announced at the memorial service. Service Information Date: Monday, March 23, 2020 Time: 10:00 am St. Raphael's Catholic Church Address: 770 Kilbourne Street, , Englewood, FL, 34223 | Map Cemetery Information Date: Monday, March 23, 2020 Venice Memorial Gardens Address: 1950 Center Road, , Venice, FL, 34292 (941) 493-4246 | Map