Donald M. Ball, 77, of Lakewood, passed away on Monday, July 2, 2018.
Mr. Ball was born in Newark and lived in Nutley until coming to the Shore as a young child. He was a long-time resident of the Shore area, graduating from St. Catharine’s Grammar School, Manasquan High School and Monmouth College. Aside from a brief period of time in NYC, He moved to Florida in 1993. He returned to NJ to be closer to family, living in Lakewood for the past 2 years. He had a career in marketing, selling many types of commodities, but his favorite position was at Discovery Cove, in Orlando, which combined his love of marine animals with customer interaction. Aside from his career, Mr. Ball was a man of diverse interests and talents. He was a breeder of Abyssinian cats and achieved a National CFA win. His heart was in the theater. He loved to act and direct in community and regional theater, having been an active member of Pinetree Players for 20 years. He served as the advisor and director at St. Rose High School Drama Club from 1988 to 1991. He would love to say he was “in the movies” having had a minor role in the film “The Interpreter” in 2005.
Mr. Ball was predeceased by his parents, Harry F. Ball and Edith (Miller) Ball Morris. He is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years, Nancy S. Ball. Also surviving are his children and their spouses, Donald M. Ball, Jr. and Maura Tully, Spring Lake Heights, Michael and Marissa Ball, Hannibal, Mo., Lisa Ball-O’Brien and the Hon. Thomas O’Brien, Spring Lake Heights, David and Kimberly Ball, Brick. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Donald, Victoria, Kellen, Daniel, Marcus, Nola, Vera, Alex and Kevin Ball, and Declan and Finn O’Brien, as well as his great-grandchildren, Skyler and Braeden Ball. Mr. Ball also leaves two brothers, Dr. William Ball, and CDR. Harry F. Ball USN (Ret.) and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, Wall, on Thursday, July 5, 2018, from 4-8 P.M., with a service to be held at 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, at www.stjude.org.