Thomas Donald Urie of Barclay, Maryland, passed away in his home on July 20, 2020 at the age of 98. He and his twin sister Dorothy (Dot) were born on Dec 12, 1921 to Charles and Julia Urie.

Don grew up in the small town of Rock Hall (Maryland) with his parents, sister, older brother Melvin, and baby brother (Albert). He had 3 additional older brothers (Robert, Herdman, and Walter) that he never knew, as they died from complications as infants.

Don was best known for his love of family, his quick wit and captivating stories, and his unwavering willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a revered brick mason (often referred to as "The Brickman"), and in his spare time enjoyed crabbing and gardening. Throughout his life, Don was a faithful Christian and a devout Seventh Day Adventist.

As a young boy, Don worked at Tolchester Beach Amusement Park setting up bowling pins. To help support his family, he left school at an early age and worked fulltime on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay with his father.

He later worked as a delivery driver for Mr. Savage's Store – his route started in Rock Hall, went through Elkton, on to Baltimore, and back to Rock Hall – proudly earning him a $1.00 a day! He later used his driving skills to work for the Coleman Bros. of Rock Hall hauling logs to New Jersey.

Around this time in his life, Don met a beautiful girl named Ella Nora Thomas (Kitty) and was swept off his feet! They married in 1942 and began their adventures together. Kitty shared Don's Adventist faith and strong family ties.

Unfortunately, not long after getting settled into their new life, fate intervened. Thanks to a fanatical German guy, an Italian dictator, and a crazy Japanese fellow's unruly plans for the world, Don was drafted into Army to help fight in the World War. He was enlisted into the newly formed 10 ^th Mountain Division 86 ^th Company B Medical, where he was a designated Frontline Medic and subsequently an ambulance driver.

Don would drive the narrow Italian mountain roads at night, hauling wounded soldiers to Aid Stations. He took on the dangerous task of setting-up Aid Stations behind enemy lines, in preparation for the next day's push. Don proudly served his country in World War II and was honorably discharged in May 1946, enabling him to return home to his beloved Kitty.

Back from the war, Don initially found work doing masonry for Mr. Downey. An opportunity to run plant maintenance and construction at Vita Foods in Chestertown, MD became available, and he jumped at the chance. Don worked himself up the ranks, eventually attaining the Plant Foreman position.

During this time, life was good… Don had a great job at Vita Food working with his brother Melvin, he and Kitty's little family was growing with the birth of their children Kay and Kevin, and they sold their home in Rock Hall and built their beautiful new home in Barclay, MD.

Once again, however, fate dealt the couple a painful blow when Kitty's health took an unexpected turn for the worse. She passed away in 1965 at the age of 40. Don was inconsolably heartbroken and was sure he would never love again.

Unbeknownst to him, a friend from his past named Ralph Jensen, who's family Don had stayed with while training for the Army in Texas, had a stepdaughter named Dorothy Mack and she too suffered the sudden loss of her spouse. The two were introduced through the Jensen Family, and quickly developed a connection in their shared experience and grief.

This time fate was kind, as it wasn't long before Don and Dorothy realized they'd been given a second chance at love and happiness. They married in 1966 and their two families became one – Donald and Dorothy and their children Kay, Kevin, Earl, and Eddie became a family.

Don continued to work at Vita Foods until it closed in 1971, at which point he went back into the construction field working for his cousin, the late Howard Joiner. He specialized in plastering, white coating, and brick laying. He worked for Howard until he retired, at which point the Town of Chestertown offered to have Don work for them directly.

For nearly three decades, Don was a self-employed brick mason working on projects for the Town of Chestertown. He bricked the downtown Chestertown sidewalks and the surrounding residential areas. He contributed to major historic restorations of some of the most significant structures in the Historic District. He combined his masonry skills with superb engineering knowledge to construct and/or repair concrete infrastructure projects all over the town. Don's work can still be seen today throughout much of Chestertown.

Don finally packed-up his tools and retired in 2009 at the age of 87. Shortly after his retirement, he lost Dorothy as she passed unexpectedly in July of that same year. They had 43 wonderful years together, but Don found it hard to be without his cherished Dorothy.

He lived out the remainder of his retirement visiting with friends and family, working at his church, reading books, tending to his garden, and driving his VW Beetle (often to Rock Hall for lunches with his niece, Bootsie). In his final years, Don's steadfast companions Rusty (his dog) and Boots (his cat) were a great source of comfort and serenity for him. Rusty, especially, never left Don's side and was with him to the end.

Don is preceded in death by his father (Charles), mother (Julia), wife (Kitty), wife (Dorothy), older brothers (Robert, Herdman, Walter, and Melvin), twin sister (Dot), and youngest brother (Albert).

Don is survived by his (4) Children: Marla Kay, Kevin, Earl, and Eddie, (3) Daughter-in-Laws: Penny, Gail, and Linda, a Son-in-Law: Jim, (8) Grandchildren: Seth, James III, Stephanie, Jessica, Andrew, Shelly, David, and Laurie, and (9) Great-Grandchildren: Joey, Matthew, James, Cameron, Caleb, Levi, Norah, Audrey, and Fynlay.

A private graveside service will be held in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Rock Hall, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Chestertown Seventh Day Adventist Church in Don's name.

Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech