Obituary of Donald Richard Koenen

Donald R. Koenen, 82, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, passed away on October 30, 2021. A loving husband, father and grandfather Don is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane Ryan Koenen; their three children Meghan (David) McCullough of Flourtown, PA, Paige (Brian) Dwyer of Madison, NJ and Bradley Koenen of Denville, NJ, and six grandchildren: Kathryn, Courtney, Colin, Caiden, Finn and Elsie. Don was born on October 2, 1939 in Morristown, NJ to Elsie Voorhees and William Koenen and was raised in Pompton Plains. He was predeceased by his two brothers, William Koenen Jr. and Austin V. Koenen. Don graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Accounting and began his career as an Auditor for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Newark, where he met his wife, Diane. In 1968, he entered the financial services industry as a stockbroker with Bache Halsey Stuart Shields Inc. He was a Certified Financial Planner and later joined Merrill Lynch and eventually Prudential Securities. Don and Diane started their married life in Nutley. They then lived with their young family in Fair Lawn, where Don was President of the Radburn Association and initiated many community events. In 1983, the family moved to Basking Ridge where he coached his children’s softball, basketball and baseball teams. He was dedicated to a number of community organizations including The Basking Ridge Little League and The Ridge High School Booster Club. A devoted family man and a friend to everyone he met, Don will be remembered for his outgoing, caring, fun-loving personality and for his gift of bringing people together. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 10:00am. Cremation services will be private for the family. For further information, or to leave an online condolence candle please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The American Stroke Association https://www.stroke.org/en/ or to the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad, Inc. at PO Box 57, Liberty Corner NJ 07938-0057.