It is with great sadness that the family of Donald E. Griesdorn announces his passing on Sunday, January 14, 2024. He died a few moments after midnight of his 84th birthday, January 13, 1940.

Don was born and raised in Celina, Ohio. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; his daughters Monica and Jacqueline; and his six loving grandchildren: Caroline, Michael, Audrey, Gretchen, Will and Craig.

Don loved to work and loved inviting others to work with him. He began his career working for ITEK, then Bassick/Stewart Warner and then Steelcase Inc., a job which required long hours studying Instant-Smarts, Steelcase's training manuals. Don loved Systems Furniture, he loved design, and he loved quality service. In 1977, Steelcase's confidence, under the leadership of Bob Pew and Frank Merlotti, Don was provided with the financial backing he needed to purchase his own distributorship. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and he never stopped being thankful for it. Don purchased BKM, from Burton Knust and Ed McCabe. (Burton Knust and Ed McCabe founded BKM in 1933). To honor the founders, Don and his business partner Peter Murgio preserved the initials and added the descriptive tag "Total Office"; thus Hartford and numerous regions across the United States would come to know the company as, BKM Total Office Inc. When BKM was purchased in 1977 it employed 22 people; by the time Don sold the business and retired, he and his dedicated teams had grown the company to 21 locations employing over 4,000 people. BKM's services included Engineered Interiors, Project Management, Floor-covering, Technology Integration, Custom Woodworking, Revest Re-Manufactured Furniture and Office Furniture Rental Alliance.

Don and Pat and family spent 40 plus years splitting their time between Martha's Vineyard, Old Lyme Ct, and Naples, Florida. From NEOCON in Chicago to the Hartford GHO. Don enjoyed supporting and sharing ideas, fun times and opportunities for others. He enjoyed helping individuals and groups launch dreams. Don's friends and family knew they could always count on him, no ask was too big. His love for others and the well-being of others is what motivated him and what will never be forgotten. Don loved travel, he and Pat, family and friends traveled the world observing people and places with openness and respect. Don loved architecture and design and found detail and attention to detail the hallmarks of a great building envelope. Thoughtfulness in combination with curiosity for what might be needed, what helps, and what changes can create opportunities, were the foundations of his business growth strategy. Don treasured his wife, best friend high school sweetheart. His courage was contagious. His measured risk-taking and uncanny, intuitive sense of timing were matchless. Don lived for entrepreneurism noticing things others might walk by. He enjoyed the capital markets and passionately encouraged all to pay attention to Wall Street. He will be so deeply missed, his lessons and unfaltering care will remain.

A private memorial service will be held on Martha's Vineyard summer of 2024.