"Revel in your time," Blade Runner

Donald Lew Poy, born in Chicago, Illinois on November 28, 1949, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2022 , in his home on Burling Street in Chicago.

Donald was born to Lew Sun Poy and Choi Kay Lew and raised in the Chinatown neighborhood of Chicago. He grew up with his four siblings, older sister Mary and younger sisters Betty, Peggy and Carol and cousin Arthur Lew. He attended the St. Therese Elementary School, where he palled around with the Chan family becoming the unofficial fifth brother to Sue Chan's sons David, Corey, Stephen and Vincent. The Chans were his second family and played an important role in his life. He briefly dropped out of Lindblom Math and Science Academy his senior year when he secured a job as a bus driver for the CTA. Proud and thinking he was set for life, he took the CTA bus off its regular route to drive by the home of his beloved math teacher, Nancy Makowski, to show off his new career. Nancy immediately closed that idea down and forced him to return to school and earn his diploma.

The CTA job proved to be prescient, however, as after graduating high school he eventually landed another transportation job as a dining car bartender on Amtrak. The perfect job for a man who loved traveling, eating and talking to people. He now had a captive audience. After crisscrossing the country with his friend and backgammon nemesis Gilbert Guerrero, he worked up to becoming a locomotive engineer for the Santa Fe Burlington Northern Railroad.

During a furlough, Don found another transportation job with United Airlines, working in the Stores department where he met Cyndy Ribando. He and Cyndy had way too much fun for the job to ever be called "work." Eventually the railroad called him back. He spent the rest of his railroad career working as an engineer in the Chicago yards for Burlington Northern's Chillicothe division, often meeting up with fellow engineer Bob Fitzsimmons. Many of Don's railroad stories included how he learned the job from his "Uncle Charlie." One of Don's favorite sayings was "any monkey can drive a train, but it takes an engineer to stop a train."

Transportation was a theme outside of his career, too. Don's passion was travel. Taking advantage of his United and Delta flight privileges, he explored the world. His adventuresome spirit made him a good travel buddy to Beth, Chlo de Anda and her friends as he was always game to get on a plane and go, never complaining about the frustrations of stand-by travel. Planning a trip to Rome, he was just as happy when the only open seat was on a flight to Cairo. Don always took on the role of designated driver on international trips as he was the only one in the group who could drive stick shift. Upon his return from any trip, he always made sure to stop by the Crown Room to say hello. Because of his travel expertise, he was pulled into service for the Global Medical Foundation assisting his friends, Dr. Tom Malvar, Dr. Yukhol Lertsburapa and Charles Quattrochi, with logistics to Ukraine, Romania and the Phillipines.

Jamaica and later Cuba became his home away from home as favored destinations, but Don was willing to travel to any place he knew someone who could spare a couch. He often ended up in Florida keeping his friends Robert and Ricky (Richard) Deutsch company and delighting in Chrissy (Christine) Deutsch's family. His love for Cuba began after a trip with Ralph Tashjian where they stumbled upon Don Pepe's Casa Particular. The warm welcome of Dr. Jose Garcia Vichot's family kept Don coming back to Cuba several times a year.

During his career with the railroad, Don had a side hustle in real estate. His first purchase was co-signed by Nancy Makowski, who continued to mentor him financially after his graduation from high school. It was through real estate that he ended up on Billionaire's Row and became known as "the mayor of Burling St." Catherine Carson, Bobby Deutsch, Ricky Deutsch, Ken Krause and Rob Evans, the neighbors and attendees of the legendary backyards parties from the early Burling St. days, became lifelong friends.

In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by his sister, Betty Lew Gritton (Leslie Gritton). He is survived by Beth de Anda (spouse) and sisters Mary Lew, Peggy Lew (Christopher Reynolds), Carol Lew (Beth Yaney). Niece Erin Reynolds, nephews Christopher Lew and Kevin Reynolds and cousins Robert Lew and Mae Lew will miss him dearly.

In lieu of a traditional funeral service, Don has requested to "have a big party," where his friends can gather, tell stories and share memories. Even more than traveling, Don loved to gather friends at the table to listen to him talk and share a good meal. Please join us in celebrating the life and times of Donald Lew Poy on January 15, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Dalcy, 302 N. Green St. Chicago, IL. Condolences to the family may be sent to 1870 N. Burling St., Chicago, IL 60614. In lieu of flowers, donations "in memory of'' can be made to Pawschicago.com.