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Donald Cline, 83, a resident of Albuquerque since 1942, passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2004. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 9th, 1920, the youngest of seven children. As a teenager, he developed a serious lung condition and, after a number of years of unsuccessful treatment, his doctors told him that his only hope was to move to a drier climate. He left his family and friends back home and, having never seen so much as a picture postcard of Albuquerque, arrived here by train on his 22nd birthday. He checked into the YMCA across the street from the old Alvarado train station and started his new life. This new life turned out to be a series of fortunate circumstances, not the least of which was overcoming his lung condition. He eventually obtained employment at Stromberg's, a local men's clothing store. As he said many times, his most fortunate circumstance occurred in 1946 when he was introduced to his future wife, Dorothy Childers, by a mutual friend. They married September 29, 1947. He remained with Stromberg's for over thirty years where he retired as vice-president of the corporation. He was elected president of the Winrock Merchant's Association several times and was also on the board of directors of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau and was a member of the 20/30 Club. He gave many of Albuquerque's current business leaders their first jobs and instilled in them the work ethic that had served him so well. While his tenure at Stromberg's allowed him to indulge his passion for the retail business and fine men's clothing, he was also equally passionate about American luxury automobiles. His close friends will truly understand the following line; He has owned over 75 cars and there was never a speck of dust on any of them. Through Stromberg's, his love of cars and his gregarious nature, he developed literally hundreds of friends, every one of whom would agree that he was genuinely thoughtful and caring and a man of unrivaled honesty, integrity, gener osity and humor. He will be sorely missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy, two sons, John and Jeffrey, and two granddaughters, Lindsey and Jamie Cline, all residents of Albuquerque. A Memorial Rosary will be recited Thursday, April 1, 2004, 5:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, with the Marianites reciting. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 2, 2004, 8:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Claremont and Vermont St. NE, with Father Ronald Bruckner, Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lovelace Hospice, 5403 Gibson Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 or Casa Angelica 5629 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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