Donald Lee Mazak

Donald Lee Mazak, age 77 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ. He was born in Dayton, OH on March 30, 1947.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Harold and Vivian Ruth Mazak, and his sister Sandra Marie Breisch.

Surviving are his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Charlotte Allen Mazak; three children, Mark Allen Mazak and his wife, Kim of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, Melissa Lynn Cammarota and her husband, Robert of Washington, NJ, and Michelle Lee Musser and her husband, Dr. Carl of Roanoke, VA; five grandchildren, Alyssa Mazak, Christopher Cammarota, Dylan Musser, Alexander Mazak, Caitlin Musser, and one niece, Jennifer Cox and her children, Jonathan, Brendan, Jasmine, and Chloe.

Don graduated from Fairmont West High School in Kettering, Ohio. He got his Systems Engineering degree from Wright State University and his Masters of Engineering in Telecommunications at Stevens Institute of Technology.

He began his work career after high school at Ohio Bell. The next year, he began his service in the United States Army on July 30, 1966, and was honorably discharged on April 25, 1972. Following basic training, he was stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ for a 30-week course in tropospheric microwave repair. He then was chosen to teach the course. He was awarded the United States Army Signal Corps Outstanding Instructor in 1967/68. He was sent to DaNang, Vietnam April 1968 to April 1969 with the 337th Company of the 1st Signal Brigade. In recognition of his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman M14, Vietnam Commemorative Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and two overseas bars.

With the assistance of the GI Bill, Donald completed his bachelor’s in engineering while working full time and supporting his family. AT&T supported his completion of his master’s in engineering program and studies towards a doctorate in Physics. At Ohio Bell, Don was part of 12 teams across the country developing cell phone service for AT&T. His group was consolidated in New Jersey in 1982.

When the Bell System broke up, he then did AT&T’s satellite engineering. Subsequently, the rest of his career at AT&T was doing executive presentations at the NOC Center for dignitaries and executives from across the world.

His hobbies included Amateur Radio. He was a lifetime member of The National Amateur Radio League and a member of The North Jersey DX Association (NJDXA), West Jersey DX Group, Cherryville Repeater Association, and the Frankford Radio Club. He began his hobby as a 12-year-old Boy Scout building his first radio. This led to his career choice in communications. He continued his ham radio hobby connecting with others around the world. His most recent call sign was NR2H.

He belonged to the New Jersey Astronomical Association. He enjoyed giving presentations to the public on telescopes, planets, and space. He was very interested in weather and climate change.

He was an avid bowler at Oakwood Lanes in Washington, NJ and volunteered as an election poll worker for Hunterdon County.

As the kids were growing up, he coached baseball for his son and soccer for his girls. He started the first girls’ traveling soccer team in Hunterdon County. Due to his efforts with other parents, the first girls’ varsity soccer team at Hunterdon Central High School was formed during his daughters’ senior year. He was a referee for The United State Soccer Federation.

RV’ing to National Parks, cruising to ports around the world, exploring Scotland and Ireland, and hiking in Utah were some of his travel highlights with Charlotte.

Donald was generous and kind always there for anyone who needed anything. His intelligence, energy, and child-like curiosity were amazing. He had a pure soul and was the friendliest person you would ever want to meet.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 PM in the funeral home.

Funeral services in Dayton, Ohio will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 with visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM and a funeral service to follow at 10:30 AM at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Road, Kettering, OH. A livestream of the service will be available via Routsong's YouTube channel. Interment will follow in Valley View Memorial Gardens, 170 N Valley Rd, Xenia, OH with full military honors. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Routsong funeral home.