Donald C. Comlish, 68, died of congestive heart failure Sept. 2 at his home in Chesapeake Beach, Md. after battling cardiovascular disease for many years.
Comlish moved to Glen Park, Potomac, in 1970 with his wife, Carol, and three young children. In 1979, the family moved to Persimmon Tree in Bethesda, returning to Potomac seven years later.
Comlish was born in Stratford, Conn. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and attended the U.S. Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C. After a four-year stint playing saxophone and clarinet with the Navy Band, he attended St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., graduating with a B.A. in business administration in 1961. He then entered the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, graduating in 1965 with a juris doctorate degree.
Comlish worked as a law clerk for the firm of Spencer and Whalen and as an attorney with the Civil Aeronautics Board. He spent 22 years with the Air Transport Association (ATA) in Washington, D.C. as vice president of international affairs, serving as the chief representative of scheduled airlines negotiating international agreements between the U.S. and foreign countries.
After his retirement from ATA in 1992, he worked as a consultant in the airline industry until his final retirement in 1999.
While living in Potomac, the Comlish’s raised six children and were involved with them in many activities in the community. Their youngest daughter, Chrissy, was inducted into the Country Glen Swim Team Hall of Fame in 1994.
A few years after moving to Glen Park, Comlish, with the help of his son Matthew, built the Welcome to Glen Park sign that stands at the entrance to the community.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his children, Jeannie, Michael, Matthew, Greg, Paul and Chrissy, and his grandson Andrew.