Donald Metzger

Donald G. Metzger passed away on Friday, November 29, 2013 at his home, after a six month illness with lung cancer. His sister was with him when the angels freed him from his pain.

Don was born on December 29, 1954 in Youngstown, Ohio, the first son of the late George W. Metzger (2005) and Louise (Lulu Bargielski) (2012), and John (Jack) Lyons (1996).

His dog, Daisy also preceded him.

Donnie will be sadly missed by his older sister, Ellen Gigogne and her husband, David, with whom he made his home, and his younger brother, Eugene and his wife Sarah (Snyder) Metzger.

Although Uncle Don had no children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews as if they were.

They include Eric J. Boyajian, Tina Boyajian Gannon, Emily (Boyajian) (Nate) Sayre, Travis Gigogne, Kim (Vincent) Harris, Heather (fiancé Jeremy Stankiewicz) Metzger, Brian Metzger all of Erie, Toby (Danielle) Hilbert of Meadville, Jason Metzger of Harrisburg, and Davis Gigogne of Baltimore, MD. In addition, he had nine great nieces and nephews, and one great great niece who will not have the pleasure of learning all that Uncle Don would have taught them.

Don also is survived by one uncle, Richard Bargielski and numerous Bargielski cousins. You will be missed at the reunion card games, Don.

Scar had very good friends that visited and cheered him on and they included Ken and Betty Rittenhouse and Ameia, Mary Garvin, and Karen Braendel. These were the most loving friends Scar could have ever hoped for, and his loss will leave a large gap in their lives.

Don graduated from Twin Tech (now Central) High School in 1973 with a certificate in welding.

Although that was his day job, he was an artist at heart and loved creating metal sculptures with whatever he could find. He was also our go-to Mr. Fix-It, for Don could make almost anything work. The neighborhood kids relied on him to fix their bikes or toys and he usually could.

We will all miss you deeply, but knowing that you are no longer suffering helps ease our pain. Fly free, Donnie, and watch over us all. We love you!

Services were private as he wishes. Any donations may be made to his favorite charity, the Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 East 11th Street, Erie, Pa., 16503 or the A.N.N.A. Shelter, 1555 East 10th St., Erie PA 16511, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street.