Boiler Bay Beacon
Former Depoe Bay Mayor Don Wisniewski, who passed away July 18, 2021, was buried with military honors befitting a hero at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Whether recalled as an inspiring junior high teacher, an all-business mayor or a civic-minded Lion, few knew “Wiz” served with the battle-hardened 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War, 1951-53. More than 800 of his comrades lost their lives at legendary battlefields such as Hill Eerie and Old Baldy while fighting-off attacks by Chinese and North Korean armed forces.
Fewer still are people in Depoe Bay alive to remember Mayor Don Wisniewski at the gavel for two terms from 1987 to 1990. One old-timer, however, recalls a no-nonsense mayor who ran a tight meeting, objecting to non-agenda surprises and speculative discussions. “He wasn’t a dynamic mayor who wanted to change the city wholesale,” reminisced the late Spouting Horn owner Betty Taunton, who sat on the town planning commission for 20 years. “But running meetings that aren’t exciting and are on time can be a good thing. I liked him.”
Agreed his daughter, Patti Forcier, “When it came to politics, Dad was pretty stoic. He did a lot of listening, but once he processed all the information it was time to vote and move on.”
To Patti, Don Wisniewski was the most exciting man in the world, calling him “my best friend.” He taught her to shoot skeet and deer, and to fly fish when she was “elbow high” to her dad. It wasn’t long before she inherited the pioneer Wisniewski family’s outdoor traditions from Don, like deer meat sandwiches and pie crusts made with bear lard.
An obituary published by Farnstrom Mortuary at FarnstromMortuary.com, portrayed a man deeply committed to his family and community:
“Donald Lewis Wisniewski, 92, of Monmouth, Oregon passed away in Salem, Oregon on July 18, 2021.
“Don was born in Toledo, Oregon on August 7, 1928 to Charles and Lillian S. Wisniewski of Depoe Bay, Oregon. He spent much of his life living on the land his grandparents homesteaded after immigrating to the United States from Poland.
“Don married his wife, Janice “Faye” (Roberts) Wisniewski, on October 25, 1974 in Depoe Bay, Oregon. He is survived by his wife Faye, his children Patti Forcier, Bill Smith, Brenda Holan, Gary Smith, Rick Smith, and Dawn L. Holmstrom; 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lillian; daughters, Vikki Skriver and Kathi Ford; brothers, Kenneth and Charles Wisniewski; and granddaughter D’Laney Ford.
“Don graduated from Taft High School in 1946. Shortly after high school, he was drafted into the Korean War and was a member of the 45th Infantry Division out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Upon his return from Korea, he attended and graduated from Oregon College of Education. Don worked as a junior high school teacher and coach, for 30 years, at Taft Junior High School in Lincoln City. Students and staff alike fondly referred to him as “Wiz”.
“He started working a variety of jobs at age 11, including haying, picking berries, driving trucks, tractors, dump trucks, commercial fishing, working at sawmills, and bought fish for the New England Fish Company and Depoe Bay Fish Company – servicing up to 120 boats a day and over 50,000 pounds of fish at a time. After his retirement, he enjoyed transporting vehicles for Gesik and Power car dealerships.
“Don was a proud public servant. After his retirement in 1986, he served two terms as mayor of Depoe Bay. He also was an officer and President for the Lincoln County Education Association, Director of the Lincoln County TA Bank, a member and Treasurer of the Lincoln Beach Kernville Water District, a member of the Elks, served on the Depoe Bay City Council, and the Knights of Columbus at St. Augustine Catholic Church, in Lincoln City.
“Don also had a passion for hunting, fishing, and traveling the world. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Don had the opportunity to provide for his family with deer, elk, moose, antelope, bear, salmon, halibut, tuna, and much more. In British Columbia, at the age of 88, he tagged his last moose showing the young guys how it’s done.
“One of Don’s proudest adventures was in 2018, when he was honored with an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. While there, at the request of Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, and Representative Kurt Schrader, he was presented with the flag of the United States of America, which flew over the United States Capitol, to honor him for his service to our country during the Korean War.
“In 2008, Don and Faye moved from the coast to the Monmouth-Independence area, where they were immediately greeted with open arms by their neighbors and friends.
“Interment with military honors was at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Ore.
