G. Donald Chisnall

G Donald (Don) Chisnall, AKA Professor Giggle Snort - a Clown Born in Montreal Quebec, CANADA in March 1934.

Died in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA in February 2023 (just short of 89th Birthday)

Preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Katai Chisnall, who died at 27. and his father John Joseph Chisnall, who died just short of his 95th birthday.

Don lived and went to school in Montreal until the death of his mother. Due to his father's injuries in the WW2, Don went to Cleveland to live with some of his mother's family. He was 7 years old. His much older cousins provided a warm and loving family. At the age of 16 he moved to Wayne, Michigan to live with his mother's brother Steve Kotteh, and his wife Helen. They gave him a caring and stable family into adulthood.

Our young hero became a US Citizen as an adult and joined the US Navy, serving from 1954 to 1959. He served aboard the USS MARSH (DE 699) and at Sub Base in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was very proud of his service and made many wonderful friends in Hawaii, with whom he maintained lifelong friendships. A Navy officer helped Don reunite with his father at the time of his discharge from the Navy. It was a joy for him to rekindle this relationship.

He returned to Wayne, Michigan where he pursued a number of career paths. He met and married Ruth Hinton in August of 1961. Eventually his work as a claims representative became his life long career. In 1971 Don's work took him to Grand Rapids MI, with Ruth and their two adopted children. They bought an old farm house and enjoyed being amateur builders and gardeners in their spare time. The family was able to enjoy the house and semi-rural life.

Through AAA of Michigan, Don did a lot of fund raising for the March of Dimes. In 1984 he raised the highest amount in the City of Grand Rapids. This was the same year he found out he was going to be a biological father at age 50. Since the focus for March of Dimes is Birth Defects, this now became even more meaningful to him. It was like raising a second family as their two precious adopted children were more than 20 years older.

Don had an early retirement due to his health, but pursued an avocation as a volunteer clown. For a time, he belonged to a club, participating in parades, entertaining at children's events, township fairs and also did AA Programs and celebrations for Transplant and Cancer Survivors Organizations. The pediatric ward at the Old Blodgett Hospital was one of his favorite gigs. He also Volunteered at Hospice of Michigan for fund raisers and did some patient services.

Don joined (DESA) Destroyer Escort Sailors Association. It was a great joy, going to Brighton, MI each month. He met with members from across the state for lunch, a business meeting and a parade of speakers who kept Don and his Navy friends in touch with service memories, today’s service men and women and the needs in the military community today.

Now empty nesters, the move to Clark Retirement community was possible. Don was happy he could participate in active. This included jokes that made eyes roll and bellies to hurt with laughter. But there were some who walked the other way when they saw him coming.

Don will be lovingly remembered by - Wife: Ruth. Brother: Robert Chisnall. Children: Gary V. Chisnall, Elizabeth A. Geene and fiancé Joel Hainer, Steve Chisnall. Grand children: Nicholas Geene, Alicia Geene and her fiancé Andrew Fotis. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. All of Don's friends and neighbors will remember him as the fellow who made us roll our eyes, smile and double over with laughter. If someone said, "You Made My Day." or "I needed a laugh." Don felt he had done his primary job in life, to brighten someones day with a smile.

The family will greet visitors at (FUMC) First United Methodist Church, 227 E. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI. on Saturday. April 1, from 10 AM to 10: 50 AM. The Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary. In lieu of Flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, MLK Tutoring - a program of FUMC and the Michigan Home for Veterans - Grand Rapids. Service provider is Memorial Alternatives.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of G. Donald Chisnall, please visit our floral store.