Obituary: ​Donald Joe Caldwell, of Branford

Information and photo via W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home,

Donald Joe Caldwell, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on December 29, 2018 at the age of 88. Born April 16, 1930 in Wichita, Kansas, Donald was the son of Lucille and Harold Caldwell, and brother of George Caldwell. Donald’s life passion was music. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music from Wichita State University, followed by postgraduate work at Indiana University and Boston University where he studied with Roman Totenberg.

Donald played with several orchestras during his career, most notable the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony, and Ostschweizer Kammerorchester in Switzerland. After the birth of his five children, Donald and his wife, Mary, settled in Setauket, New York, where for 25 years he served as Orchestra Director in the Three Village School District. He was President of the Long Island String Festival Association and Vice President of the NYS American String Teachers’ Association. After retiring, Donald most enjoyed spending time at his lake house in Bristol, New Hampshire.

A prolific hiker, he was proud to have climbed every 4,000 footer in the White Mountains. Donald is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughter, Jeanne, and husband, Dan, his daughter, MaryPat, his daughter, Cynthia, his daughter, Jennifer, his son, Michael, and wife Danielle, and his grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Cottam, Teddy and Zachary Price, Nikolay and Elias Caldwell, Jeffrey and Mary McLamb, Graham, Christopher, and Noah Caldwell. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, February 2nd at 1pm at the Setauket Neighborhood House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Save The Music Foundation.

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