Donald George Cargas, 93, longtime resident of Lancaster, passed on from this world on Friday, March 7, 2014 after a long life of positive influence.

He was born on February 20, 1921, in what was then the Panama Canal Zone, to the late Spyro Cargas and Maria Beeftink Cargas. He was the younger brother of the late Maria Cargas Ogden Kissinger and the late Florence (Bobbi) Cargas Wileman Adair. As with many others who came of age during the Great Depression, he supported himself from the time he was 12 years old. As a youngster he had morning and evening newspaper routes, sold newspapers at St. Joseph's Hospital, and worked at Cargas Cleaners, his father's dry cleaning business. For all his life he lived the motto of Cargas Cleaners, "Always On Time". He was in the first class to graduate from the newly-built McCaskey High School in 1938 and was instrumental in keeping classmates in touch with each other over the decades. He attended West Virginia Wesleyan University and Franklin & Marshall College.

During World War II, Captain Cargas served as a transport pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific. He was a member of the Reserve Officers Association and VFW Post 7294 in Millersville.

During wartime, and after 3 dates, he married Dolly Stoll Cargas. During their 51 years together before Dolly's passing, they sent their caring values down through the generations, starting with their 5 children, Chip Cargas, husband of Becky Cargas, of Lancaster; the late Bob (Bubba) Cargas; the late Lynn Cargas; Cindy Cargas, wife of Phil Heesen, of Richmond, VA; and Jim (Bo) Cargas of Mountville; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Most of Don's working career was at Armstrong World Industries, retiring in 1983 as Advertising Production Manager. He was a community leader and doer in organizations as diverse as the Lancaster County Planning Commission, Manor Township Planning Commission, Manor Township Zoning Hearing Board, Conestoga Chapter of American Business Clubs, AARP Chapter 530, Optimist Club of Lancaster, Strasburg Heritage Society, and Clearwater (Florida) Lions Club. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millersville.

In 1997, Don married Helen Pachuta Leibensperger Cargas, this time after one year of dating. They enjoyed traveling the world and remained devoted to each other through all the challenges and joys of later life, right up until Don's passing.

Don was known for his cheerful demeanor, unbridled optimism, and ability to deal with any challenge life had in store for him. He was always helping others.

Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Don's life on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Relatives will receive family and friends from 1:00 pm until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Cargas Education Fund, c/o Thaddeus Stevens Foundation at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 East King St., Lancaster, PA 17602 (StevensCollege.edu) or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Central PA Chapter, 2405 Park Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (LLS.org).