A Celebration of Life for Don will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Four Colonies Clubhouse #3, 8100 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, Kansas, 66215.  Visitation begins at 2:00PM, and the celebration starts at 3:00PM, with refreshments to follow.  Please feel free to come in your favorite Chiefs attire or wear red to represent Don’s love for the Chiefs.  Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

Don was born August 21, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York to Dominick and Phyllis (Cutrone) Scaro.  His early childhood was spent in Brooklyn. The family moved to Bay Shore, Long Island where he spent his formative years.  Don’s sense of family was instilled at a young age, as his extended family lived in close proximity to each other.  His aunt and uncle were next door and his grandparents in the house behind them, all with connecting yards.  As a young boy, Don helped his father build the house they lived in and assisted his grandfather with anything he needed.  Family was a priority and Sunday meals were where the whole family gathered to share stories and laughter, learning life lessons along the way. Growing up on Long Island he developed his love for the outdoors especially the ocean.  Don enjoyed sharing stories of fishing every day and surfing whenever he got the opportunity. 

In 1966 Don graduated from Bay Shore High School.  After graduation he moved to Emporia, Kansas to attend the Kansas State Teachers College.  While attending school in Emporia, Don met Anne Whalen.  After a whirlwind courtship they married and started a family.  He went to UMKC pre-med with aspirations of becoming a dentist.  Then fate stepped in, and Don responded to a marketing postcard from New York Life where he began his career as a financial planner.  He started his own agency, representing multiple carriers, and ultimately landing as a financial planner with Principal Financial Group, where he was a leader and a mentor to many. Don genuinely cared about his clients, many of whom became lifelong friends, and attributed his success to the strong relationships he built with them.  After a very prominent career, he transitioned into retirement in 2016.

In 1993 Don met Jane Thomsen which was the beginning of a long-term courtship.  They found they shared many common interests and truly enjoyed each other’s company, becoming best friends.  True to his sentimental and romantic side, Don proposed on the beautiful island of Capri in Italy.  Jane accepted immediately and they married in 1998.  They made their home in Edgerton, Kansas on a beautifully wooded acreage, often referred to as the Ponderosa.   

Don lived a very active life, running in four marathons including the New York City and Boston Marathon.  One of his favorite pastimes was hunting.  Whether near his own home and back yard or traveling to Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, or South Africa, he always brought home a trophy.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling through the National Parks seeing all the sights along the way.  Another one of Don’s favorite pastimes was watching football, especially his favorite team, The Kansas City Chiefs.  He was an avid fan and his passion for The Chiefs was infectious.

Don was very passionate about food, especially Italian, and loved to cook his grandmother’s Italian family recipes for everyone.  Following in her traditions, He loved to cook big meals and invite friends and family over to enjoy the feast.  This was one of his true joys in life.  But what brought his heart the most joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grand daughter.  Don loved a good laugh, good music, and good times of which there were many.

Don Scaro was 74 and passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at his beloved home in Edgerton, Kansas.  Don was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary.  He is survived by Jane his wife, daughters Michelle Scaro, Olathe, Kansas and Pam Hunt and favorite son-in-law Brian Hunt, Lake Wylie, South Carolina; grandchildren: Megan, Cameron, Alec, Ashley and Natalie and great-granddaughter Reagan.

Don was a founding member of the JoCo Kiwanis Club.  Their mission is serving the needs of children the world over which is a cause near and dear to Don’s heart.  If you would like to contribute to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund in memory of Don, you may do so at kiwanis.org