He is a man who will be remembered. Longtime Fayetteville City Engineer Don Easterbrook, 57, died Oct. 13 after a two-year struggle with cancer.
Easterbrook was described as very devoted to his family and an avid golfer.
Fayetteville City Manager Joe Morton said Easterbrook worked with the city for more than 20 years.
“He gave years of service to the city. This place meant a lot to him. He was an outstanding employee, but above that he was an outstanding person who cared about the city,” said Morton, noting the varied aspects of Easterbrook’s job that had him involved in a variety of activities such as development and stormwater standards along with a wealth of street and sidewalk projects during the time of Fayetteville’s rapid growth.
“To go through what he did (with cancer treatment) for the last few years, I’m glad he was able to take early retirement and spend his last month with his family. He never let anybody know he was in pain. It spoke to his character and his strength.”
Councilman Paul Oddo in his comments noted his association with Easterbrook going back 17 years when Oddo’s family was developing a piece of property on Fayetteville’s south side.
“He was going to return part-time after his retirement to help finish the (Ga.) Highway 92 improvements,” Oddo said of the man who provided so much to the city he loved. “He was a good friend. I was sorry to hear of his passing.”
City Councilman Larry Dell is one who knew Easterbrook throughout his time with the city.
“Don was always professional. He looked at the issues through an engineer’s eyes and he did an outstanding job,” Dell said. “He never got upset. He was a good man, an honest man and a dedicated man who really cared about the city. This city will miss him a lot, and his shoes will be hard to fill.”
Dell likened Easterbrook’s participation and work for the city to that of the late Lane Brown.
“They contributed more to what you see in this city than all of use combined,” Dell said. “It’s easy to come with a vision, but seeing it come to fruition is different. Don brought visions to fruition. And even through the cancer treatments, he came to work and did his job.”
Don Easterbrook is survived by his wife, Margarita; daughter Cristina Easterbrook of Fayetteville; son Vincent Easterbrook of Fayetteville; brothers and sisters Jane, Jack, Richard, Joan and Robert; nieces and nephews Katie, Allison, Christopher, Jose, Isabel, Altair, Isa, Eduardo and Maria.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Mowell Funeral Home in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m. Those desiring may make donations in lieu of flowers to www.fightcolorectalcancer.org or 877-427-2111.
