Donald O’Connor died of heart failure at The Motion Picture Hospital and Retirement Home in Calabasas, California on Saturday September 27th 2003. He was 78. He is survived by his wife, Gloria and children, Donna,Fred, Alicia and Kevin.



From 1942 to 1945 Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan teamed up in a dozen movie musicals for Universal Pictures. They shared a birthday (August 28th), a love of dance and a life long friendship. Peggy delivered this eulogy at Donald's funeral.

To Donald —
I don’t know when my tears will dry
I’m trying hard not to cry
I miss you so, why did you go
Part of my life is in the sky
 ~
A shining Star – You really rule
Why did you replace me with that Damn mule?
Then Debbie & Mitzi & Monroe what a shame
But you really nailed “Singing In The Rain”
 ~
We started out when we were young
Talented us, nothing could go wrong
We danced, we sang and took Pratt Falls
You even walked right up a wall!
~
This week I lost a lifetime friend
I loved him to the very end
We lived a life, We’ve had it all
But God decided to give him a call
 ~
The Angels needed to learn the Time Step
So he called Donald, because he was the best.
 ~
So when it’s time to visit Heaven’s Gate
Be sure to knock 5-6-7-8
 
Peggy
October 4, 2003

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"When he shall die take him and cut him out in little stars,
and he will make the face of heavan so fine
that all the world will be in love with night
and pay no worship to the garish sun." — Shakespeare