Donald R. Black

We are heartbroken to announce Donald Robert Black, 72, passed away suddenly on November 19th 2025. 

Don was raised in Belleville, New Jersey and graduated from Belleville High School where he played football. It was there that he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Peg. Together they built their dream house and dream life for over five decades.

Don built a career, first working for St. Johnsbury Trucking and then as a facilities technician for Verizon. He coached soccer and baseball in Nutley for a decade and nearly took his Little League team to Williamsport for the Little League World Series. His team marked the special moment with a baseball signed by all his players which sits on his desk today. He coached both his son and daughter as they grew up.

He spent much of his life “down the shore” in Beach Haven West. He loved fishing, boating, and water skiing. He was an avid runner and walker as he got older. He walked the causeway bridge every day, regardless of the season or the weather. He is widely known as the man locals have seen picking up trash on the bridge every day for the past 7 years. It was one of the small ways he made the community a better place to live.

Don battled heart disease most of his life, but you would never know it. He never complained. He never stopped walking or showing up for the people he loved. He was a selfless individual and put everyone before himself.

Don was also known as Dandy by many and was a quiet man, but when you got through his shell, he became the kindest, funniest man that walked this earth. He was the center of our universe and the glue to our family. Our hearts will never be the same again. Words cannot describe how deeply he will be missed.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin V Black and his mother, Diane DiNorcia Black. 

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Peg Buckland Black, his son Thomas Black, his daughter, Laura Regan, his grandchildren, Alaina, Morgan, Juliet, Brandon, Sarah, and Kasadee and his great granddaughter, Clara. He is also survived by his siblings Nancy, Billy, Sally, and Diane and their spouses.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Penn Medicine and the doctors who cared for Don with such skill and compassion- Dr. David Callans, Christine APN, Dr. Aditya Parikh, and Ana RN. Their dedication and support mean more to us than we could ever express. We would also like to thank the Stafford Township Police and EMS who responded with such care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please donate to a local food bank in his name or join him in picking up trash over or around the causeway bridge. Enjoy the scenery and think of him.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 1pm to 3pm with a Time of Remembrance, 3pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.