Donald Alfred Dandro

8 Jan 1938 – 18 Dec 2023

and

Keiko (Morita) Alice Dandro

31 Mar 1931 – 24 Dec 2023

Donald Dandro passed away with family present at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vacaville California after a sudden decline in his health on 18 Dec 2023.  He was 85 years old.   Don was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, the son of Alfred and Alice Dandro.  Don was the oldest sibling with a younger brother, Stanley Dandro.  He graduated from Millbury High School in 1957 and enlisted in the United States Air Force the same year.

Keiko (Morita) Dandro passed away peacefully on 24 Dec 2023 at her home six days after her husband of 64 years departed.  She was 92 years old.  Keiko (Morita) Dandro was born in Tokorozawa City, Saitama prefecture, Japan, the daughter of Taichi Morita and Uchino Kaneharu.  Keiko was the second oldest of six siblings.

Keiko and her oldest sibling, Hisako kept their family together and safe during the last years of WWII.  In the 1950s, Keiko worked with the United States Forces in numerous positions serving Post-war Japan.  She held positions at Grant Heights Military Housing Complex, Yokota Air Base and Tachikawa Air Base, Tokyo, Japan.

In 1957 Kay and Don met each other at Tachikawa Air Base and they were married in June 1959 at Tachikawa Catholic Church.

After numerous stateside and oversea assignments, Don was assigned to Travis Air Force Base, California in 1974.  Don and Kay made their final moved to Vacaville where they both decided to make Vacaville their permanent home.   Don retired in 1980 after more than 23 years of faithful service to the United States Air Force.

Don continued to work in the private sector, the U.S. Postal Service and with the Department of Navy as a Machinist at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California.

Don and Kay were both devoted Catholic, Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus Vaca Valley Council 4901 at St Mary's Catholic Church for many years.  He served in numerous positions to include council Trustee, Advocate, District Warden, and Grand Knight from 1976 -1977.   As active members, Don and Kay both enjoyed working with other members with community events and get-togethers.  Kay was always doing something, she was either baking something in the kitchen, sewing, working in the garden, exercising, or taking care of the family.

During their 64 years of marriage, Don and Kay both loved traveling on ocean cruises and visiting Kay's family in Japan.  The last few years they both settled down and enjoyed spending time with the family and playing with their great grandchildren's. Don will always be remembered as a loving and faithful husband, caring father and a man who would help his fellow neighbor.    Kay will always be remembered as the devoted wife and mother who kept the family secured and safe.  They both are examples on what true love is whereas they could never be separated in life or death.

Don and Kay are survived by their daughters, Paula and Ami Dandro, sons, Robert and Michael Dandro & his wife Mila, four grandchildren, Andrew & his wife Kandra, Nicole Marquez & her partner Isis, Timothy Hughes & his wife Jennifer, and Christine Dandro, six great-grandchildren, Alyssa Ochoa , Andre Marquez,  Anthony Marquez, Alek Marquez, Jonathan Hughes, and Issak Marquez.

Viewing will be held on the evening of Jan 2, 2024 at Vaca Hills Chapel, 524 Elmira Road, Vacaville, California 95687 between 5:00PM – 8:00PM, with rosary being held at 6:00PM.

Memorial Services will be held on Jan 3, 2024 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 1791 Marshall Rd, Vacaville, CA 95687 starting at 9:30AM.

Immediately following memorial services, Don and Kay will be laid to rest in their final resting place at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd, Dixon, CA 95620.  Don will be laid to rest with full military honors.

A reception with family and friends will be held afterwards at 205 Joy Ct, Dixon, CA 95620.