Donald Francis Anthony Houston of Fairfield, Connecticut, son of the late Robert and Arline Houston of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 79 years old.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Kathleen, and their four children and eight grandchildren: Jennifer Houston and her husband Lt. Colonel Steve Benedetti of Bethesda, Maryland, and their daughter June Benedetti; Timothy Houston of Charleston, West Virginia; Mary Katherine Houston of Fairfield, Connecticut, and her sons Theodore, James and Oliver D'Aloia; and Patrick Houston and his wife Bridget Chesney of Richmond, Virginia, and their children Ronan, James, Finn and Maisie Houston. He is also survived by his nephews Christopher Houston and his wife Danielle Moore, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Jonathan Houston and his wife Janelle of Danvers, Massachusetts. He is predeceased by his brother Robert D. Houston.

Don was born on March 4, 1946, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he was raised by his loving parents, Arline, a nurse, and Robert, a police detective, alongside his brother Bob. He graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1964, later serving on its Board of Regents. At Yale University, he received his bachelor's degree in 1970, where he was a resident of Calhoun College and an offensive tackle for the Yale Bulldogs football team. Later, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973, before embarking on a 45-year legal career during which he became a trusted expert in the fields of labor and employment and education law. He began his career at Cummings & Lockwood in Stamford, Connecticut. He was a founding partner of Durant, Nichols, Houston, Hodgson & Cortese-Costa, P.C. in Bridgeport, Connecticut, later serving as the firm's managing partner. He was appointed as an arbitrator under the State Teacher Negotiation Act and served on the American Arbitration Association Labor Management Advisory Council. He is a former President of the Connecticut School Attorneys Council and former member of the Fairfield Representative Town Meeting. He sat on the Board of Directors of the McGivney Community Center and the Inner City Foundation for Charity and Hope.

Don was a passionate sports fan, having played college football and tennis. When his children took up soccer, he coached all of them and, when he felt children in Fairfield needed more playing opportunities, he co-founded Fairfield FC (presently, Fairfield United Soccer Association). His patience and love of the game made him an adored coach to many. He later went on to coach his grandson's soccer team and was a fixture on the sidelines of his grandchildren's baseball games. He was a devoted New York Giants fan, a supporter of U.S. Soccer and cheered on UConn basketball. A longtime member of Brooklawn Country Club, he could often be found playing a round of golf with his wife on a beautiful, sunny day. He was also an avid reader who loved history and never stopped learning. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always a twinkle in his eye. Despite being a formidable opponent across the bargaining table, he was a warm and gentle soul, with a love of animals and nature. Above all else, he loved his family and spending time with them brought him the most joy. From trips to Cape Cod and Vermont, walks at the Audubon, standing on the sideline of youth sports events, dinner at Sasco Beach or just sitting on the back porch telling stories, he was the happiest with his family and they were the happiest with him. He was a devoted husband, and the most wonderful father and Pop Pop. He is so loved by his family, who will miss him dearly.

A wake will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 - 4:00pm at Redgate - Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and 4 Gorham Place in Trumbull. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 10:00am at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive in Fairfield. Interment will follow at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Connecticut Audubon Society. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com

The Connecticut Audubon Society
314 Unquowa Road, Fairfield CT 06824
Tel: 1-203-259-0416
Web: https://www.ctaudubon.org/