The Reverend Donald Whitman Poole, Jr., affectionately known as “Don” to friends, “Papa” to his family, or simply “the Rev” to others, left his body on Aug. 30, 2025, one day after his 87th birthday.
Born on Aug. 29, 1938, Don grew up in Swarthmore, Penn. He was the son of Donald Whitman Poole, Sr., and Ann Grier Poole and brother of John Grier Poole. He lived his life guided by a deep sense of love for his family, friends, and the congregation he served.
A Life of Learning and Faith
Don was known at Swarthmore High School for his quick wit, sharp mind, musical talent, and gift for friendships. His thirst for knowledge led him to Brown University, then to graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. Sensing a call to ministry, he went on to attend Union Theological Seminary in N.Y.
Don also studied at the Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, where he immersed himself in the teachings of Carl Jung. Jung’s insights into the human psyche and spiritual growth resonated deeply with him, and he carried those lessons into his ministry. Don believed faith and psychology could work hand in hand, and he used this approach to guide countless parishioners and friends through life’s triumphs and challenges.
Ministry in Rye
Don devoted much of his professional life to the Rye Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully as Associate Pastor and Interim Pastor. A gifted preacher, Don was blessed with a remarkable command of the English language. His sermons were thoughtful, timely, and eloquent. He was able to move hearts with their depth and inspire minds with their clarity. He often found ways to weave humor into the sacred, believing firmly that joy and laughter was a reflection of God’s grace.
Beyond the pulpit, Don’s greatest gift was his presence. He walked with people in moments of sorrow, offering comfort that was both deeply spiritual and profoundly human. He celebrated with families in times of joy, and he counseled those in seasons of doubt or struggle. Don had the rare ability to listen without judgment, to sit with others in their pain, and to help them discover hope where they thought none remained. Compassion and empathy defined his ministry and life.
Family and Friendships
For Don, family was always at the center. He is survived by his two sons, Donald Whitman Poole, III and Benjamin Bishop Poole; his four beloved grandchildren, Grier Bowen Poole, Sam Whitman Poole, Benjamin Bishop Poole, Jr., and Ella MacKenzie Poole; and his former wife, Carole H. MacKenzie.
In his leisure, Don could often be found at the piano, delighting family and friends with music that was as joyful as his laughter. He cherished time with loved ones and believed the simple act of being together was one of life’s greatest blessings.
A Lasting Legacy
Don Poole will be remembered as a man of deep faith, keen intellect, humor, compassion, and empathy. He had a gift for making the ordinary extraordinary, for infusing the everyday with warmth and meaning. His legacy lives on not only in his family, but in the countless lives he touched in Rye and beyond. He made his friends his family and his family his friends.
A service honoring his life will be held at the Rye Presbyterian Church, where he served with devotion for so many years, at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, with a reception to follow at the Manursing Island Club in Rye. As we gather to celebrate his life, we remember a pastor, a father, a grandfather, and a friend whose wisdom, kindness, and laughter will continue to resonate in our hearts for years to come.
In lieu of flowers, the Poole family requests donations to the Rye Presbyterian Church (RPC) Pastor Discretionary Fund. The Fund, managed by RPC, provides financial assistance to individuals in need, allowing the co-pastors to distribute funds for emergencies, helping the poor, and ministering to the congregation.
