Donald Allen Waterbury, beloved husband, devoted father, treasured grandfather, brother, uncle, and loyal friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on September 12, 2026, at the age of 80.

Don lived a vibrant life anchored by an endless devotion to his family, a brilliant mind, a humble heart, and an incomparable wit that brought warmth to everyone he met. Born, June 19th, 1946 and raised in Wilmette, Illinois, and Williams Bay, Wisconsin, Don was always happiest on the water, especially while boating with family and taking sunset cocktail cruises. An accomplished athlete, he played youth baseball for the Williams Bay Lyons, then New Trier High School in Wilmette, before playing college baseball at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. He was a passionate fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and, above all, adored his Cincinnati Reds – a lifelong devotion where missing a game was simply out of the question. He also loved spending time on the golf course, where he played to an impressive single-digit handicap. Driven by an adventurous spirit, he earned his pilot’s license in earlier years, finding immense freedom taking to the skies in a Cessna.

Don built a distinguished 50-year career as a financial advisor, founding his own advisory firm, Waterbury & Associates, and earning recognition as one of Cincinnati’s top advisors. He deeply valued his clients and took immense pride in guiding them toward financial security and certainty.

Above all, Don’s heart belonged to his family. Married for 55 extraordinary years to his wife, Constance “Connie” Waterbury, the two traveled the world together and divided their time between cherished homes in Cincinnati, Ohio; Vero Beach, Florida; and Williams Bay, Wisconsin. As the steadfast anchor of the family, Don was the delightfully grounded centerpiece of a bustling household of four women, holding down the fort with quiet strength, infinite patience, and good humor.

Don was a remarkably hands-on father and grandfather, cheering from the sidelines, babysitting, and telling his cherished “animal-in-the-woods” bedtime stories. He was the master of life’s essential “how-tos,” eagerly teaching his children and grandchildren everything from reading a map, balancing a checkbook, and changing a flat tire to driving the boat and pulling tube rides on Lake Geneva. He worked harder than anyone his family knew, always leading by example to pass down his practical wisdom, strength, and incredible work ethic.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Constance Waterbury; his cherished daughters, Dana Nelson (Mark), Carlen Kline (Don), and Lauren Waterbury (David Cooper); his adored grandchildren, Olivia, Hayden, Donald, Anna, Rex, and Baer, who will forever carry their grandfather’s strength, humility, and love in their hearts; his step-grandchildren, Jonathan, Daniel, Sarah, and Anna, and his brother, Kent Waterbury (Karen). He was preceded in death by his parents, Janet W. and Donald O. Waterbury.

A memorial service will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to The Donald Waterbury Pulmonary Fibrosis Fund.