Don Kane, 92, had second career as ‘bag boy’
February 14, 2019
Don Kane’s job was bagging groceries. But he had other ideas. “I consider my job to be public relations,” he said. “If I can make someone smile or laugh, then it’s been a good day.”
There were many good days in his nearly 29 years in the grocery business. Mr. Don, who retired in December, died Feb. 8. He was 92.
Donald A. Kane was born May 28, 1926, in Pittsburgh, the son of Ralph D. Kane and the former La Geene E. Foust. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the Navy during World War II as a yeoman on the USS Dauphin, an attack transport. It was part of the invasion of Okinawa and was in Tokyo Bay on the day Japan surrendered.
“That’s a day I’ll never forget,” Mr. Kane said in a 2011 interview.
He worked as a salesman for Transport Motor Express in Pittsburgh. His first wife, Betty, died before him. He and his second wife, Dorothy, moved to Murrells Inlet in 1987. They were on their way to Florida, but a stopover convinced them to stay, Mr. Kane said. Dorothy also died before him.
He worked at Tad’s Hardware and then Harris Teeter in Litchfield. He stayed on after the store was bought by Bi-Lo.
He already had 18 years in the business when he celebrated his 85th birthday at the store. “They’ve kept me for 19 years, and I’ll continue to work as long as they’ll have me,” he said at the time. “I’ve been fortunate to meet so many really good people.”
He is survived by his son, Ronald W. Kane (Teresa Finn); his daughter, Janis L. Culotta-Altares (David); four grandchildren, William, Nathan, Benjamin and Justin (Anne); two great-grandchildren, Harper and Lucas; and several step-children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A service celebrating his life was held Tuesday at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was a member.
