Donald J. Cousins

DONALD J COUSINS, 77 ROCKFORD – Don Cousins, 77, of Rockford passed away peacefully Saturday, April 18, 2015. He was born in Wellington, Somerset, England on July 5, 1937, to Claude and Audrey Cousins (Porter).
Donald graduated from Ilminster Grammar School, Somerset, U.K. and received an Electrical Engineering degree from Plymouth College of Technology, Plymouth, U.K, 1962.
He started working at Standard Telephones and Cables Limited in U.K. before accepting the position as Test Equipment Engineer at Sundstrand Corporation in 1966. He remained working in Test Equipment supporting Electric Systems until his retirement at the end of 1999.
Donald enjoyed talking to people around the globe through radio. He was a HAM radio operator, a member of Radio Society of Great Britain and also had US Amateur Radio Station License.
Donald’s passion for race car led him to be a volunteer worker in car racing events. He spent most of his weekends at the race tracks; mainly in Road America, Elkhart Lake and Blackhawk Raceway. He was a member of British Racing Sports Car Club (BRSCC), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) - Blackhawk Valley Region and Chicago Region.
Donald loved traveling, especially to Hawaii, the Pacific and Far East. His once in a lifetime traveling experience was the one month Concorde trip with “1986 Concorde Flight around the Word”.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Noy Cousins; sister, Margaret (Bandy); nieces Paula and Caroline Bandy.
Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108 with a visitation held prior from 5:00 p.m. until time of service. Express condolences on line at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.