Donald Regis McKinley

December 5, 1939 - October 15, 2020

Donald Regis McKinley, 80, a resident of Fort Myers, FL since 2014, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, passed away Thursday, October 15, 2020 at his home in Fort Myers. He was born December 5, 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA to Regis and Edith, now deceased. He was an only child.

Donald was of the Presbyterian faith and served in the United States Army and then in the

XXI US Army Corps until his Honorable discharge in 1967. He was a strong man with a big heart, who never met a stranger.

He started working in a body shop and found his long-life hobby of building cars. Don was successful in business with the McKinley Insurance Agency and Real Estate. He was proud to be a Mason and Shriner in support fundraising efforts for the Shriners Hospitals. Don was a Volunteer with Health Park/Golisano Children’s Hospital and assigned to the Golf Cart team and looked forward to every Wednesday to meet at 11am to eat lunch with his fellow “cart buddies” and then work his shift 12-4.

Don built over 25 classic cars that took several national awards and is known for his attention to detail and his signature pinstripe of the Chevy Bowtie and do not forget the chrome! Don had a vision and one of his many dear friends said, “whatever he touches turns to gold, he would correct them and say No it was Chrome”. In the Southwest Florida Car Show and Cruise-in scenes he was known as the Governor and enjoyed marketing all shows as this is the way to keep interest in our current generation to carry on the love of cars. Since making Fort Myers his home he has brought 7 new Classic/Muscle cars into our local community and kept his beloved 1955 Belair then he added April’s 1969 Camaro and the 2018 limited edition Orange Crush-convertible Hot Wheels Camaro to celebrate 50 years of the Chevy Camaro. In the winter of 2020 Don started on a 1955 Chevy truck as a twin to his 55 Belair but his health prevented his progress. His best friend Mike “Superman” with CLB Customs team finished his vision and added their extra touch. CLB delivered it in style and brought Don to his knees filled with tears of joy and peace. With great gratitude to Mike M and Gary O who took the time to give Don a ride in his 55 Chevy Truck and have have his 55 Belair displayed side by side “twins” at a cruise-in hosted by the Boulevard Tavern in Gateway.

He is survived by his loving longtime life partner, April Love Ulfig of Fort Myers;  his biggest cheerleader,  Chrissy Love of Fort Myers; Like a brother his cousin, Robert Jones of Toronto OH; cousins Kathy, Ken and Barbara as well as three grandchildren, Braeden Schneider, Carissa Schneider, and Makalyn Schneider and father Mike Schneider all of Raleigh NC. His daughter, Kelly Green of Raleigh NC.

Don had a magnetic personality and a laugh you will never forget.

Don’s wish was to have a Celebration of Life and request that everyone drives their Classic/Muscle/Hot Rod to display his true passion of cars. Celebration starts at 11:00 AM. Memorial Services with Military Honors will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the VFW, 1770 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers, FL 33931. 12:30 PM- Don’s Legacy and ends with lunch and his very own dessert table provided by American Gold Star Mothers of Southwest Florida.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Donald Regis McKinley are suggested to:

VFW Post 10097

 17770 Pine Ridge Fort Myers, FL 33931 Attention Commander Rob Barnes 239.466.6400

American Gold Star Mothers of SWFL-Mothers who strive to keep the memory of their sons and daughters by working to help Veterans.  www.goldstarmothersswfl.org

Golisano Children’s Hospital- www.leehealthfoundation.org

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. David Resanovich Oct 27, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    Don was my Realestate buddy and Car Show roommate and will be missed. I have many memories of the last 20 years with him.

  2. Gerald B Quaid Oct 29, 2020 at 7:10 pm

    As a co-trolley-driver at Health Park, a Halloween treat was seeing Don’s orange and black Camaro parked near the entrance. Don was always good-humored, funny, and helpful. He will be missed by many. Our condolences to his family.

  3. April Love Ulfig Oct 30, 2020 at 10:30 am

    Thank you Gerry and don’t forget his knee high pumpkin socks to match.

  4. Jim Stewart Nov 3, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    Our volunteering at the hospital won’t be the same without Don. When Don would “head out” to pick up passengers, it was not unusual not only to hear Don laughing, but he would have his passengers laughing with him. What a pleasure it was to get to spend time with him every week. What an understatement to say that I will miss him a lot.

  5. Skip Boyce Nov 24, 2020 at 1:01 pm

    So sorry to learn of Don’s passing. He loved to talk about that 55 Chevy. The hobby lost one of its biggest supporters.
    Rest in peace Don.

  6. April Love Ulfig Nov 26, 2020 at 12:25 am

    Thank you Jim! He always looked forward to meeting you guys for lunch then making people laugh. I wanted to share that Children’s Hospital has had donations in memory of Don.

    His eternal light will always shine.

  7. Chrissy Barlow Dec 12, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    He was a great father to me and I miss him a lot I like doing things with him out and about I’m going to dinners he was always happy with other people

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