Donald James Helfrich, a Sitka resident for almost all of his life, passed away September 4, 2025, in Anchorage, where he was receiving medical care. He was 60.
He was born April 14, 1965, in Bend, Oregon, the son of James and Pauline Helfrich.
The family moved to Sitka when Don was 2 and lived here until moving to St. Helens, Oregon, in about 1980. After five years the family returned to Sitka, and Don never left. He went to work at Sitka Sound Seafoods and Seafood Producers Cooperative. When he wasn't working Don liked to fish and hunt.
He is survived by his daughter, Ashley, of Juneau; brother Chuck and his wife Val of Texas; sister Pamela and her husband Brian Chinell of Sitka; sister Carri and her husband Dave Risley of Yakima, Washington; sister Sherri Strand of Clatskanie, Oregon; and many nephews and nieces.
A celebration of Don's life will be held at a later time.
