Donald Pelis of Riverhead died Sept. 18, 2026, at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 72 years old.
Born Sept. 11, 1954, in Riverhead, he was the son of Evelyn (Sujeski) and Edmund Pelis.
He worked in the Grumman paint shop for more than 25 years and was active in the racing community at Riverhead Raceway since the 1970s.
He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Wells (Dan) of Averill Park, New York; his son, Robert Pelis (Jaime) of Calverton; and three grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors Monday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. Private cremation will follow.
