Obituary of Donald F. Woolson

Donald Frank Woolson of Media, PA, passed away on May 7, 2025 at age 87. A longtime resident of Springfield, PA, Don was born in Philadelphia and raised in Ocean City, New Jersey. He attended Holy Spirit High School and Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), where he was a member of the Pershing Rifles. During the summer, Don worked at the movies in Ocean City and met his future wife Barry, who was working at her aunt's store on the boardwalk. Don and Barry married in 1960 and a few years later, they built their family home in Springfield where they lived and raised a family for over 50 years. Don was active in the Jaycees and for many years helped to coordinate the town's annual July 4 th fireworks and parade. He worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Abbott and later sold real estate with Fox and Lazo. He served in the Army Reserves and active duty for 33 years, rising to the rank of Colonel as Commander of the 338th Medical Group.

Don was devoted to his family and especially loved vacations, including two epic cross- country road trips to New Mexico in a station wagon and numerous trips to Disney World, Maine and Vermont. He was a big fan of Frank Sinatra and all types of music, from John Philip Sousa to bagpipes. He enjoyed watching movies, reading books about military history, researching his family tree and eating seafood dinners with Barry at the Crab Trap in Somers Point. Don was an amazing Poppy (PopPop) and kept up with all of his grandchildren's adventures.

Later in life Don and Barry moved to Ocean City, where Don shared his knowledge of the town with visitors during his volunteer shifts at the Ocean City Historical Museum. Don moved to Wesley Enhanced Living in 2022 and made many friends there among the residents and staff.

Don is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Barry, and his parents, Lemuel and Mary Woolson. He is survived by his three children, Mary (Patrick) Cronin of Wallingford, PA, Kevin (Amy) Woolson of Mason, OH, and Libby (Steve) Salvucci of Glen Mills, PA; and six grandchildren, Jon Cronin, Cate Cronin Wells (Corey), Charlie Woolson (Sydney), Molly Woolson, Dan Salvucci, Anna Salvucci, and special pal, Lexi the labradoodle.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:00 AM, at St. Kevin's Catholic Church, 200 West Sproul Road in Springfield, PA, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM  Burial will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, Glen Mills, PA. Donations in his memory may be made to the Ocean City Historical Museum: ocnjmuseum.org. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.