Don L. Passage, Jr.

AIKEN, SC – DON L. PASSAGE, JR., 85, husband of Janet Grentzinger Passage, died Sunday, October 4, 2009 at his residence in Kalmia Landing. A native of New York State, Mr. Passage was a son of the late Don L. and Luella Glor Passage, Sr.,. He was born in Bennington, NY on July 27, 1924 and graduated from Batavia High School and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Don served as a crytographer in the U. S. Army Signal Corp during World War II. After service at the Pentagon, he went to the Southwest Pacific aboard the Amphibious Force Flagship USCGC Ingham, where he participated in several invasions, including the retaking of the island of Corrigedor. He attended the dedication of the ship which is now at Patriots Point in Charleston, SC. He was a retired Vice President of Marine Midland Bank, now H.S.B.C., and had managed the branch in Batavia. After his retirement in 1979, Don became owner / auctioneer of Page Auctions, Inc., and was a licensed real estate agent. Don had been active in St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia as a Junior Warden, Vestryman, Captain of Lay Readers, Sunday School teacher and floor manager of the annual Antiques Show. In Batavia, he was a member of the American Legion Post # 332 and finance officer, charter member and past president of the Sertoma Club, past president of Genesse County Banker Association, former member of Batavia Rotary Club and active in the Batavia Jaycee and Chamber of Commerce. He was an avid collector of antique Packard automobiles and member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Classic Car Club of America and Packard Classics. He moved to Aiken in 1985 and was a member of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, where he was a lay reader and chalice bearer and coordinator of eucharistic ministers. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Janet Grentzinger, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, brothers Frederick and Neil and sister, Doris preceded him in death. A memorial service will be held at St. James Church in Batavia, NY on October 13, 2009. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Batavia. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, St. James Church or Regency Hospice. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to these loving, caring people; Amy Timmerman, Ruth Cruz, Terri Furtick, Finley Limehouse, Pam Randolph and Mildred Watkins. Please visit the online guest register at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com . SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Don L. Passage, Jr., please visit our flower store.