With broken hearts, the family announced the passing of Eugene “Don” Haselkorn on May 16 at age 93. Funeral services will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 20, at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, La. 90045.
A former Palisades Optimist Club President and a long-time member, fellow Optimists remembered “Donny was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed playing Santa Claus and greeting all the children at our Optimist annual family Christmas events.
“When Don was at an event you were sure to have a good time,” one Optimist said. “Don was a member of our club for more than 60 years.”
Born in Brooklyn, New York, “Uncle Donny” (as he liked to be called) was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, friend, mentor, pharmacist, business consultant and so much more. He loved life and showered all who knew him with his generosity, humor, fun-loving spirit, and unwavering dedication to family, friends and community.
Don moved to Santa Monica as a teenager and attended Santa Monica High School. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he was the first in his family to go to college, attending UC Berkeley where he met his adoring wife Carolyn. He graduated from UC San Francisco Pharmacy School and UCLA Anderson School of Management.
The two married in 1954, spending their first years together in Berkeley before moving to the San Fernando Valley. The couple moved to Pacific Palisades to the Marquez Knolls area in 1964 and he purchased Knoll’s pharmacy. About living in the Palisades, Don said it was like being on a vacation.
He was a member of the Palisades Chamber of Commerce and was tight friends with Arnie Wishnick, Bud Petrick, Mort Farberow and Al Elfant. In one bowling tournament, Al Elfant told Don that if Don struck out those last frames (to win the tournament for the Optimists), “I’ll kiss your ass.” Don struck out and then provided a donkey for Al to kiss.
Don served as president of the Palisades Americanism Parade Association, orchestrating many successful Fourth of July Parades. He served as the Honorary Town Sheriff, Kehillat Israel and Optimist Youth Home board member, as well as being a proud member of the American Legion.
He also provided many teenagers with their first job at his pharmacy.
Don was a Dodgers fan and also a UCLA basketball and football fan. He put his full heart into everything he did whether fishing, boating, scuba diving, golfing, telling jokes, photography, playing poker, or making playlists and video montages for his friends and family.
In September 2023, he moved to Belmont Village in Encino, where he made many new friends and was popular with both residents and staff – but he still kept his Palisades Optimist Club membership current.
Don is survived by Carolyn Haselkorn, his wife of 71 years, his daughters Mimi Haselkorn, Francine Lis and Faye Haselkorn, and grandchildren Michael Lis and Liana Lis, sister Joyce Strassberg and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He is predeceased by parents Fay and Murray Haselkorn and sister Marla Osband.
A funeral will be held at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 20, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Los Angeles Jewish Health, KI Community Palisades Fire Assistance Fund or the American Legion Palisades Fire Relief.
May his memory forever be a blessing.
Shiva Schedule:
Immediately following the service, a meal of condolence will take place at HAMAKOM 7353 Valley Circle Boulevard, West Hills, Ca. 91304 with a Shiva minyan taking place at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21, Shiva at 7 p.m. followed by minyan at 7:30. Thursday, May 22, Shiva at 7 p.m. followed by minyan 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, minyan at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, Shiva at 7 p.m. followed by minyan at 7:30 p.m. For locations email flis1@sbcglobal.net.
The Haselkorn family has been an integral part of the Palisades community for as long as I can remember. My father, Curt Baer, served his hometown community alongside Don in the Palisades Optimist Club. Curt passed in 2013, but serving with other Optimists, like Don, was one of the favorite reasons he loved living in the Palisades. The Optimist Club performance was always one of the highlights of the 4th of July parade, along with Patriotic Pups, which we entered our Basset Hound in twice. All such fond memories of the Palisades.
My heart goes out to Mimi, whom I attended Pali High with, and her family. God bless the Haselkorns for being such a cornerstone of the Palisades for all these years!
Don Haselkorn was a gentleman and so generous with his time and commitment to community. He spent lots of time discussing business and retail with me, and as a pharmacist made many late night trips to our house with needed medicines. And now I finally learn who the real Santa Claus was every year at the Optimist Club Christmas brunches my Dad took my brothers and sisters to every year at the former Santa Ynez Inn on Sunset. His wife Carolyn and daughters Mimi, Francine, and Faye were and are terrific too.