Donald 'Sonny' Rae, businessman

Donald A. "Sonny" Rae, 81, of Jenkintown, an entrepreneur who started work as a tool and die maker but later owned his own company and a bar in Jenkintown, died of heart failure Monday, Feb. 18, at Abington Memorial Hospital.

After a diverse career, Mr. Rae fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a bar when he opened Sonny's Pub across from the Hiway Theater. He operated the tavern from 1991 to 1995.

"He was a tough man in some ways," said his daughter Barbara Christensen. "He had a loud laugh, and he was a storyteller."

Donald Alexander Rae was born Feb. 8, 1932, in Philadelphia, the son of Alexander and Margaret McGinn Rae. He was raised in the Crescentville section.

Mr. Rae graduated from La Salle College High School. He served in the Army Reserve in the 1950s.

In 1952, he married Barbara Ilko, who also lived in Crescentville. The couple later divorced.

After participating in an apprentice program at the Budd Co., Mr. Rae began working for the company as a tool and die maker.

A few years later, he went to work for Airline Equipment Co. in the Hunting Park section, where he was a salesman for several years, his daughter said.

In the 1960s, Mr. Rae started his own company, D.A. Rae Inc., which his daughter said represented other companies.

One of its successes was the development of the "Arco Ark," a set of toy animals and an ark, that was given to customers at Arco gasoline stations in the 1970s, his daughter said. He retired and closed the company in the 1980s.

In 1991, Mr. Rae bought what was then Casey's bar on Old York Road and renamed it Sonny's Pub, after his childhood nickname.

"Taking over Sonny's Pub was like a childhood dream of having his own pub. It came available and he decided he wanted to have an income and decided that it was what he wanted to do," his daughter said.

Mr. Rae enjoyed running the bar, but he bought it "because of the social aspect," his daughter said, noting that he enjoyed being among people.

He was a devoted sports fan who loved football and rugby. His five sons played rugby, and he attended all of their games. He also followed the Blackthorn Rugby Football Club, an organization based in Elkins Park, which offers rugby programs for boys, girls, and men.

He also liked visiting the Jersey Shore and taking long walks on the beach at Sea Isle City, where he kept a boat.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Rae is survived by daughters Deborah Walter and Kathleen Roberts; sons Kevin, Donald Jr., Robert, Michael, and Alex; 25 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.

A Memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, at Immaculate Conception Church, 602 West Ave., Jenkintown. Family visitation begins at 10 a.m. at the church.

Donations may be made to Mission Kids, Box 413, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422.