Donald "Duck" Gordon Anthony

Donald Gordon “Duck” Anthony of Grasonville, MD, a well-known waterman and firefighter passed away at home with his family by his side on May 8, 2014. He was 80. Born on January 1, 1934, in Queenstown, MD, to the late Charles Norman and Catherine Virginia Dadds Anthony, he attended school at Queenstown Elementary and Centreville Grammar School. Donald then left school in the 8th grade to go to work with his father on the water. They both had that undying love to work on the water and did for many, many years. Duck went into the service in 1952-1956. He served aboard the USS Washoe County LST 1165, in aircraft fire fighting and rescue service. When he returned home, he married Joan Horney (in 1956) and they had 1 daughter and 3 sons. She passed away in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, Jeff Anthony of Grasonville; Jason Anthony and his wife Jena of Grasonville; Donald Anthony and his wife Laura of Chester; Melody Anthony of Chester; Dennis Anthony of Still Pond; Justin Anthony and his wife Angel of Chester; Cynthia Singleton and her husband Donnie of Saltillo, TN; Allen Mowbray and his wife Mickie of Grasonville; 10 grandchildren, Amber, Danielle, Cheyanne, Savannah, Sierra, Quinton, Hannah, Jason, Jr., Alyssa, Jaycee, great-grandchild Gracie and future great-grandchild, Nylah Sky; siblings, Vincent Anthony and his wife Tekla of Queenstown; Patricia Gertz of Queenstown; and Dolores Timms and her husband Bobby of Stevensville; three sister-in-laws, Francis Anthony, Pat Anthony, and Barbara Hogan and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Louis; Francis; Tommy; Charles; Milton and David; brother-in-law, Bunky Gertz; nephews, Steve and Michael Gertz; and sister-in-law, Oneida Anthony. In 1958, Grasonville Fire Department was founded and had 36 charter members. Donald was “Chief” from 1958 to 1972, vice president on the Board of Directors until 2013, at which time he had to resign because of health reasons. He is a Charter-Life member. Duck has 55 years of service. On June 3, 2003, Queen Anne’s County Waterman’s Association presented him a Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Civic and Meritorious Service(Noteworthy Waterman). He was inducted into Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties Fire and Rescue Association “Hall of Fame” in December 2006. On June 18, 2013, he was inducted into the Maryland State Fireman’s Association Hall of Fame in Ocean City, MD. With his family members and a group of Fireman from Grasonville VFD in attendance to celebrate his day, “Duck” made a statement “I have waited for a long time for this and this is the happiest day of my life!” Services will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 11:00 am at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester, MD where a visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Monday, May 12, 2014. Burial will be in Chesterfield Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department Building Fund, PO Box 457, Grasonville, MD 21638 or Hospice of Queen Anne’s, 255 Comet Dr., Centreville, MD 21617.

Donald "Duck" Gordon Anthony

January 1, 1934 - May 8, 2014