Donald A. Michelson
April 27, 1931 ~ February 26, 2012
Resided in:
Mills River, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Mills River – Donald A. Michelson, 80, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2012. Don was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Adolph and Mae McGlynn Michelson and also was preceded in death by a brother, Phil Michelson.
He was a graduate of the High School of Music and Art and the Pratt Institute in New York City. In over a 40 year career as an art director in the advertising field, Don worked with Ted Bates and Dancer Fitzgerald and received several Cleo and Andy awards. Don was well known for his "Sweetheart" commercials and he created "Twinkie The Kid". In later years he became a producer of children's cereal commercials and became an author, writing about the ad agencies he worked with.
In 1998 Don retired to Western North Carolina with his wife Marie and son Mark, who preceded Don in death, passing away in 2005. Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marie Savene Michelson; son, Paul Michelson and daughter-in-law Jan Michelson of Sanford, Florida; a grandson, Christian Michelson and a brother, Edmund Michelson of Clearwater, FL.
A funeral mass will be said at 10:30 am Thursday at St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Churchyard. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 109 Crescent Hill Drive, Arden, NC 28704.
I am truly saddened by Don’s death. Don was a wonderful man and his passing will not only leave a void in our lives but in the hearts of everyone he knew. My sincere thoughts go out to Marie and Paul and the rest of his family. Joann Doyle
Dear Marie,
We are so very, very sorry for your loss. Don was a great person and we will miss him. I’m glad we got to spend New Year’s and John and Kathleen’s birthday together. Be well and take care of yourself.
Dear Marie, we don’t have the words to express our grief & sympathy. May the Lord bless & bring peace to you & your family. Dan & Margi Alvarez
Our faith tells us Don is in a better place, perhaps sharing a laugh with Mark, Phil or his mom and dad. The rest of us have our memories. The difficult ones of Don’s passing and the great ones of Don’s life. Let’s remember the good ones Don talked and wrote about so often. He was a great diarist of our family and his beloved Bay Ridge. We will miss him.
Cousin ‘Billy’
Our love goes out to Marie & Paul and the Entire Family and know that you are in our prayers. Don’s presence will be forever missed. God Bless! From Don’s old friend Nick & Chris!
Dearest Marie, I was deeply saddened to learn of Don’s passing. He was a wonderful man and I treasure the memories of my visits with you both. I loved hearing of your early life together and the wonderful times you two had. You and your family are in my thoughts and my prayers. Love and God bless,
Sally
I will miss Cousin Donny. He had a big heart and a great laugh. I always enjoyed hearing and reading stories of his youth. My prayers are with Cousin Marie and Paul.
I have nothing but great memories of my times during the holidays with cousin Don and Marie and family. Don will live on in my heart for teaching me how to treat people better; he did this by example. God bless!
Our deepest condolences to Marie, Paul and the rest of the family. Don will always hold a special place in our hearts. A wonderful caring, sensitive and decent man who always displayed kindness. We send our love. Joe, Toni, Chris, Steve and especially Alex.
Marie and Paul,
We were very sorry to learn of Don’s passing. It seems like only yesterday we would look across the street and see Don outside maintaining the property. A lot of wonderful conversations and memories. Don was a very giving and caring person. We are very sorry for your loss.
Donna and Jim Harkins
Marie – my sincere sympathy to you and your family. I just learned of Don’s passing in the Gazette.
I so miss our working together in Croton at the elections. Keep the faith.