Obituary of Donald "Rock" Bless

Beloved husband, father, papa and brother, Donald W. Bless, “Rock”, was called home on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Born April 1, 1940, to the late Frank and Margaret Bless, Don grew up in the Seneca Babcock area belonging to the Babcock Boys Club. During his years there he played baseball, basketball, and boxed; however, he excelled at weightlifting. He won several medals competing in his weight class. Although, a modest person, he was quite proud of these accomplishments. After graduating from Bishop Timon High School in 1958, Don honorably served in the Navy. He found it ironic that despite being in the Navy, he never boarded a ship; instead, he was an airplane mechanic stationed at McGuire Air Force Base. After returning home, Don married his loving wife of over 57 years, Marirose or “Hun”, as they affectionately referred to each other, on July 8, 1967. Together, they raised 3 children. As a family they frequently stole away to Toronto or took day trips to Crystal Beach. As the kids grew up, Don and Marirose would escape to Vegas, sometimes twice a year. Don worked as a Millwright for 32 years at Bethlehem Steel Corporation, until he was forced into retirement because of health issues. He had an array of hobbies that kept him busy. He loved putting impossible puzzles together, playing Uno, Scat and Sequence with his family, or playing poker with the guys. He literally logged hundreds of games of rummy with his son, Doug. He was quite adept at shuffleboard, joining teams at the local taverns (and was especially good at horse collar) and playing horse shoes with the neighbors. Don and Marirose participated in several couples' bowling leagues. Countless hours were spent contemplating the takeover of the world in the board game and eventually the computer version, of ‘Axis and Allies’, Don loved the strategy involved. A somewhat jack of all trades, Don built his own gym equipment, a desk and the iconic Grandfather clock. He found joy listening to music from his vast collection of tens of thousands of songs. He looked forward to the weather breaking when he could relax in his garage swing and watch the birds. Summertime also brought rousing games of corn hole, whether at home or on a family vacation. He would spend winters practicing his cornhole swing and eagerly awaiting the next match. Don looked forward to Sundays spent with family having pizza and watching the Buffalo Bills. Along with his son, Dale and son-in-law AJ, he was involved in Fantasy Football leagues for over 25 years. Don was also an avid college basketball fan who especially enjoyed watching his favorite team, Duke. While rarely saying more than, “Me too”, when someone told him they loved him, Don loved his family deeply and will be remembered as a humble, thoughtful man of integrity, who had a sense of humor, frequently giving a smile in his last days when he was too weak to speak. Left to carry on his legacy and memories are his loving wife, Marirose, children, Dale (Marcia Courier) Bless, Douglas (Sarah) Bless, Denise (AJ) Kiener, grandchildren, Maddigan, Holly, Jack Bless and Andie Kiener, sister, Ruth (Frank) Bies and many, many, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dave and sister Diane. BLESS, Donald W. “Rock”, passed away on December 21, 2024, beloved husband of Marirose (Shanahan) Bless, wonderful father of Dale (Marcia Courier) Bless, Douglas (Sarah) Bless and Denise (AJ) Kiener, loving grandfather of Maddigan, Holly and Jack Bless and Andie Kiener, son of the late Frank and Margaret (Strasser) Bless, brother of Ruth (Frank) Bies and the late David Bless and the late Diane Bless, also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call Friday from 3-7:00 pm at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3155 Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park (716) 675-9027. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10:00 am at St. John Vianney Church (Please assemble at church). Online register book at WWW.CANNANFH.COM