Obituary of Donald Cochrane

Donald Cochrane, age 91, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey for 53 years, passed away peacefully at his home on May 2, 2025. Born on February 9, 1934 in the Bronx, New York to the late Reginald and Vesta (nee DeLairre) Cochrane, Donald lived a life marked by service, devotion, and generosity.

Donald generously gave of his time and expertise. Always ready to lend a hand and share a laugh, he offered support without hesitation and showed up with love, strength, and kindness as a father, husband, son, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He set a high bar—not just in how to live, but in how to treat people. His spirit lives on through the memories, lessons, and unconditional love he gave freely for 91 years, 67 years of marriage, and 65 years of fatherhood.

His frugality is legendary. He never met a curbside appliance he could not fix or a Goodwill that would go unexplored. He had a deep affinity for road trips and the heart of a collector. A family-focused man who deeply valued education, Donald embodied a quiet strength and practical wisdom. He was a longtime parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church in Moorestown, where he served as a youth leader, a Sunday School teacher, on the vestry, and on the building and properties committee.

After graduating from Samuel Gompers High School in the Bronx, Donald began his Naval career in 1952 at age 18, attending the Construction Electrician Class "A" School in Port Hueneme, California. During the 1950s he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, in Atsugi, Japan, and in Rota, Spain, where his daughter Julie was born. Through the 1960s he served in New York City, where his son Duane was born, in Antarctica building Hallett Station, and in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam to oversee the construction of complex and critical infrastructure, and then the construction of a new Seabee base in Puerto Rico. His final military assignment in 1969 was at the Naval  Schools Construction Battalion Center in Davisville, Rhode Island.

Donald retired in 1972 as a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9), having reached the highest enlisted rank in the Navy with extraordinary speed. By this time, he had been honored with a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy, the Navy Commendation Medal (the Navy’s fifth-highest award), the Daniel E. Byron Leadership Award, and with consistently stellar performance reviews.

After retiring from the Navy, Donald brought his family to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. From 1972 to 1975, he worked as an engineer at the Insurance Company of North America (INA) in Philadelphia, PA. In 1975, he began his high school teaching career, where his dedication to his students mirrored his service in the Navy. He was known for his clarity, discipline, and warmth in the classroom. His colleagues and students valued his deep expertise and mentoring spirit.

From 1975 to 1978, he taught electricity at Willingboro High School by day, and in the evenings he taught Home Maintenance and Repairs to the community of Willingboro. From 1978 through his retirement in 1995, he served as an Electric Shop Teacher at Camden County Vocational & Technical Schools in Sicklerville, NJ, earning a bachelor’s degree from Glassboro State College (now known as Rowan University) in 1990.

“Mr. Donald” was especially loved by the members of the Theta Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. In 2013, he was honored with the "Honey-Do Service Award" by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, chosen among all candidates in the North Atlantic Region, recognizing his lifelong commitment to helping others.

Donald Cochrane’s legacy is that of a leader, teacher, veteran, and family man who lived with humility, generosity, and purpose. His life reminds us that a steady hand, a generous heart, and a love for both family and country can leave a lasting impact across generations.

Donald leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 67 years, Simone L. (nee Harris); his children, Julie (Paul) Braswell, Donald Duane Cochrane, and Craig Allyn Cochrane; his loving grandchildren, Julian (Raven) Worley, Paul D. (Lusi) Braswell, Adam (Jessica) Braswell, Xavier Braswell, and Jasmine Simone Cochrane; his adored great-grandchildren, Kalesia, Jayden, Elijah, and Jayla Braswell; and many friends and relatives.

May Donald’s example inspire us all to live life to the fullest, with purpose and kindness.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation and Funeral on Wednesday, May 7 from 9:30 to 11 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 207 West Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057, where a Requiem Eucharist Service will be held at 11 AM.  Interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Donald’s name to the Food Bank of South Jersey, 1501 John Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (https://foodbanksj.org/)