Donald Steven Gay

Donald Steven Gay “Don Gay”, age 57, of Arlington, VA, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 3, 2025. Born on May 2, 1968, in Boston, MA, Don lived a vibrant life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering dedication to his family, friends, and community.

A graduate of Catholic Memorial High School in 1986, Don launched his career in finance after completing the Co-op Program at Northeastern University, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1991. His semester abroad in Australia while in college was just the start of a life rich with experience and memories. His professional journey began as a loan processor at Mortgage Max in Boston in 1991. After relocating to Virginia, he excelled as a mortgage lender and branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, where his hard work, intelligence, and reliability earned him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and clients.

Don’s passions were the heartbeat of his life. His wife, Amelia (43), and children, Clive (15), Charlie (14), and Claire (11), were his world, and he cherished every moment spent with them as a devoted husband and father. His children’s sports fields were some of his favorite places to be. An avid golfer, he was a regular at Washington Golf & Country Club and made annual pilgrimages to The Masters, where his enthusiasm shone brightly and where he shared his love of the game with Clive and Charlie. Don loved the beach, spending cherished time at his Fenwick Island, DE, beach house, grilling out, and crafting world famous margaritas and old fashioneds. A fan of the Red Sox, Nationals, and Patriots, he loved sharing wine and swapping stories with friends, his witty and sarcastic humor making him the life of every gathering. His hobbies and passions reflected his fun-loving, generous, and compassionate spirit.

In his community, Don was a pillar of support. He coached for Parkway Little League, volunteered for the Arlington Babe Ruth program, and served as treasurer for Lyon Village, embodying his selfless and dependable nature. He was the consummate baseball dad, running Game Changer for Clive and Charlie’s teams, walk-up music DJ, holder of chairs and tents, and doing so always with energy. His kindness, loyalty, and trustworthiness touched countless lives, and his honorable character left a lasting legacy.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Amelia Gay; his children, Clive, Charlie, and Claire; his siblings, Joan Duggan (widow of Joseph), John and Susan Gay, Patrice Frazier, James Gay, Marilyn and Michael Kent, Thomas Gay, Francis and Dianne Gay, Paul Gay, Edward and Susan Gay, Robert Gay and Paulina Canales, Richard and Sarah Gay, Chris Gay and Kimberly Furnari; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clive and Vicki Thompson; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Wynn and Tierney Thompson, and Taylor and John Bensabat. He was a loving “Uncle Donny” and “Don Gay” to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Claire Therese Gay and Frank Alfred Gay.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3513 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 10:30 AM. A Celebration of Life will follow at Washington Golf & Country Club at 12:30 PM. Contributions can be made to The Gay Family Education Fund c/o Clive Thompson, 4005 26th Street N, Arlington, VA 22207, or can be made directly here:In Memory of Donald Gay

Don’s warmth, humor, and boundless generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a true friend, a devoted family man, and a man of honor whose memory will be cherished forever.