Donald Stanley Laing

Donald Stanley Laing, 96, a former teacher and school administrator of New Smyrna Beach, FL, passed away on March 3, 2023 of natural causes while surrounded by his family.  

 

Born in Buffalo in 1926, he graduated from Kensington High School, Buffalo State College and the State University of NY at Buffalo.  

 

Mr. Laing was a WWII veteran, serving in the US Navy from 1944 – 1946.  After the war and college, Mr. Laing served as a teacher and school principal in the City of Buffalo schools, in addition he was the Buffalo district’s first Director of Integration.  

 

Mr. Laing also served as President of the Buffalo Teacher’s Federation.  Since moving to Florida with his wife, Elizabeth, Mr. Laing traveled extensively, served as an Officer of the New Smyrna Beach Men’s Garden Club and as Chair of the Library Advisory Board for New Smyrna Beach.  Mr. Laing also delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Newcomers Club and PORT Travel Group.  

 

He is survived by his wife Betty (Groetsch), his daughter Rebecca (Laing) Hope (David), his sons Jeffrey and Robert (Liz), seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.  He is predeceased by his sisters Beryl and Irene and son Gary.  

 

Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the Hospice Foundation of America, or your local Hospice organization.