Donald E. Drain

Donald E. Drain

July 21, 1929 -- February 9, 2014

MILWAUKIE, Oregon -- Donald Drain was born July 21, 1929, in McCook, Nebraska, the youngest of four children of Florence Wilson Drain and Robert L. Drain.

Don graduated from St. Mary's High School in Grand Island, Nebraska. After moving to Portland in 1949, Don worked in various jobs and sang with the Portland Symphonic Choir, The Civic Theater, and the fledgling Portland Opera Company. In April 1954, he married Josephine Anzalone.

Don worked in the insurance business while studying voice and continuing his musical interests. In 1960, Don won the San Francisco Opera auditions in Portland and was awarded a contract to sing with the San Francisco Opera. He sang bass/baritone roles for the next five opera seasons. Realizing how difficult this career was on his growing family, Don left the San Francisco Opera Company after the 1965 season.

Upon his return from San Francisco, he sang with the Portland Symphony and had starring roles in benefit productions for DMSO research. Don opened his own business, Don Drain Hearing Instruments, retiring in 1998.

Don and Jo have been members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Milwaukie, Oregon, for 48 years, where Don directed the choir for 18 years and acted as cantor for another 12 years.

Don is survived by his wife, Jo, Milwaukie, Oregon; children, Matthew, Glenwood, Iowa, Philip (Toni), Salem, Oregon, Christian, Beckley, West Virginia, Patrick (Chris), Sherwood, Oregon, Kathleen Tuck, Lake Oswego, Oregon, Eileen Sherrill (Dave), Vancouver, Washington; sister, Eileen Schulze, Portland, Oregon, and 10 grandchildren.

Don will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Milwaukie, Oregon; interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.