Donald Allan Gavan, known as Allan, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 10, 1925 and grew up in Glen Rock, New Jersey.  After graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1943, Allan enlisted in the Army and proudly served in Europe. Captured in France in the fall of 1944, Allan endured a difficult winter in several prisoner of war camps, ending up in the Stalag VII-A camp in Moosburg, Germany, where he was liberated at the war’s end by General Patton and the American forces.

After completing a Bachelor’s program with a degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame, Allan began a very successful advertising career in New York City, working as an account executive for the Dancer Fitzgerald Sample agency for 37 years. He and his wife Katie made their home and raised their family first in Glen Rock and later in Allendale, NJ.

Allan and Katie retired to Lake Winnepasaukee in New Hampshire to enjoy the lake and mountain views and the birds that frequented their deck and many feeders. In addition to volunteer work at the Squam Lake Natural Science Center, Allan dedicated himself to memorializing the sacrifice of the 60 New Hampshire servicemen who died as Prisoners of War during World War II and in Korea.

Thanks to his efforts and the efforts of many other members of the New Hampshire chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, a monument was erected at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery. The families of all 60 heroes were then located and given Purple Hearts on behalf of those who died. Through Allan’s perseverance, and the help of many, these recognitions were achieved.

There were many passions that Allan enjoyed. In addition to his love of family and God, he was an accomplished bird artist, a fine singer and former Notre Dame Glee Club member and past president, a devoted fan and faithful follower of Notre Dame football, an avid opening day trout fisherman, and a life-long lover of birds and the natural world.