Obituary of Donald Peters Wefer

Donald P. Wefer of Port Washington, NY, passed peacefully at home on November 11, 2023 (Veterans Day) at the age of 90. Don was the loving husband of Janet G. Wefer (nee Schade) to whom he was married for 65 years.  

Don attended both Hamilton College and the University of Rochester before he completed his 1st year at Yale Law School.  After three years as an officer in the U.S. Navy serving on the USS Daly, he graduated from Yale Law School in 1960. Subsequently, he served as a law clerk for Judge Robert P. Anderson in New Haven, CT.  Following his clerkship, he joined the law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, leaving as a partner, after 19 years, to became the corporate counsel at ASOMA Corporation (now Kloeckner Metals) where he finished out his law career.  

As the longest standing member and a past commodore of the Port Washington Yacht Club, Don spent much of his time out on the water, whether it be Manhasset Bay,  Long Island Sound, or traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway to and from Florida, where he spent winters with Janet, living aboard Fidelity, their Grand Banks 42’ trawler.  

Besides his wife Janet, Don leaves behind his sister Margaret “Pixie” Lang (husband Alan) of Madison, Connecticut and his 3 children, Douglas Wefer (Mary Ellen) of Glen Head, NY, Ellen Novak (Frank) of Mount Prospect, IL, and Amy Faucher (John) of Hoboken, NJ.   Additionally, Donald had 10 beautiful grandchildren:  Paul Wefer, Matthew Wefer (Sarah), Laura Boot (Max), Jennifer Novak, Emily Novak, Amy Novak, Ryan Novak, Michael Faucher, Blake Faucher and Zeke Faucher.  Don was also fortunate to have two great-children as well: James and George (sons of Matthew Wefer).

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Safe Harbor Boys Home and Maritime Academy — 4772 Safe Harbor Way, Jacksonville, FL 32226

Safeharboracademy.com