Obituary of Donald R. Bender

Former Trumbull Resident Donald R. Bender, age 88, formerly of Trumbull, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2013 at Bridgeport Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Marion Slifka Bender. Born in Superior, Wisconsin on December 8, 1924, he was a son of the late Walter J. and Clara Borg Bender. Donald served in the US Army Air Corps as a navigator in World War II. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in Electrical Engineering as well as his Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Haven. He was employed by General Electric as a manufacturing engineer building GE factories from concept through production, and a Quality Consultant for 34 years. Donald was co-owner of the former Marion Gallery of Monroe for 12 years, alongside his late wife. He was 6-Sigma certified as well as an ISO Standard Certified Auditor. He founded DRB Associates which certified companies as ISO 9001 and started or improved Quality Control departments to world class standards. He loved skiing, art, jazz music and worldwide travel. He was a loving dad and grandfather. Survivors include his son, Ken Bender (Donna) of Fairfield; a daughter, Barbara Fillman (Jerry) of Washington Township, NJ; his beloved grandchildren, Kimberly Bender (fiance Mike Boncoddo), Evan Bender, Kelly Fillman DeLizza (David), Lindsey Fillman and Ryan Fillman (fiancee Gillian Lueck), as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Gerald and Theodore Bender. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Thursday March 7 at 9:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Church, Fairfield for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be held in St. Josephs Cemetery, Dolgeville, N.Y. at a later date in the spring. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations Information Memorial contributions may be made to: Cleveland Clinic: By phone: 800-223-2273, Ext. 41245, By Mail: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, PO Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655.