Obituary
Donald T. Wilk, 89, of Cranberry Township, husband of the late Ruth Newman Wilk, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023, after a short hospital stay. The eldest son of the late William J. and Helen Barabasz Wilk, Don was born on Oct. 28, 1933. Don was preceded in death by his siblings, Elizabeth (Jim) O'Hara and William Wilk. He was a beloved father and is survived by his six children, Victoria (Fred) Belack, Janet (Tim) Swope, Michael (Jennifer) Wilk, Stephen Wilk, Donald Wilk Jr. and Kenneth (Akiko) Sachs; his seven grandchildren, Kid, Craig (Meg), Brittney, Michele, Dylan, Gabriel and Christopher; his only great-grandchild, Claire; and many nieces and nephews. Upon leaving the University of Illinois Chicago Navy Pier, Don was signed by baseball great Branch Rickey and drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on to play AAA ball for the Chicago Cubs in Visalia, Calif. He was a radar operator/air traffic controller in the U.S. Army, only to finally settle in Cranberry Township, where he lived for the past 59 years. He was a draftsman/cartographer by trade, working for Michael Baker Engineering and Aerial Map Surveyors for most of his years. His early map-making career even included a summer spent bushwhacking his way around what is now Lake Arthur, surveying and marking the new water line. Parishioners of St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, he and his late wife, Ruth, were very active in their community, volunteering as leaders for the Brownies, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. He was a past president of the Cranberry Athletic Association. He spent numerous hours maintaining the fields and grounds, and coaching multiple ball teams from Little Leaguers to Legion Ball. An avid sportsman, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing and inspired a love of nature among all of his children. Despite growing up on the concrete streets of Chicago, he was a passionate gardener, who shared his organic gardening techniques and produce with friends and family. Another favorite pastime of his was recounting his youth. He could grab the ear of anyone near, with wonderfully detailed accounts of past experiences. His remarkable talent for storytelling was enjoyed by all and will dearly be missed.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to God's Field Church, 812 Merchant St., Ambridge, PA 15003.