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Donn Lewin

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Donn Lewin
BornApril 1, 1926
Buffalo, New York, U.S.[1]
DiedDecember 18, 2010 (aged 84)[1]
Hawaii, U.S.[1]
FamilyMark Lewin (brother)[2]
Danny McShain (brother-in-law)[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Donn Lewin[1]
The Executioner[1]
Trained byJim Henry

Donn Lewin (April 1, 1926 – December 18, 2010) was an American professional wrestler, marine and tropical fish breeder.[1]

Early life

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Lewin was born on April 1, 1926, and grew up in Buffalo, New York, where he attended Lafayette High School.

Military career

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Lewin left school at age 15 to join the Marines and serve in World War II. He fought at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Guam, and left the Marines after attaining the rank of Admiral's orderly. During his time in the service, he earned three Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in battle.[3] After leaving the Marines, Lewin became interested in bodybuilding, and he placed second in a Mr. Niagara Frontier Contest.[1]

Professional wrestling career

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His placement in the bodybuilding contest brought him to the attention of Ed Don George, a promoter.[1] George introduced him to Jim Henry, who trained Lewin.[1] At the beginning of his wrestling career, Lewin competed in Buffalo, New York and across the border in Ontario, as well as Capitol Wrestling.[3] While competing for Capitol Wrestling in Maryland, he teamed with his real-life brother Mark Lewin to win the American Tag Team Championship.[4] Lewin also competed in California, Ohio, and Georgia.[3][5] In Georgia, he teamed with his brother Mark again to win the Georgia version of the NWA International Tag Team Championship.[6]

In 1969, a promoter asked Lewin to begin wearing a mask and competing as The Executioner. He used the identity while competing in several promotions. During that time period, Lewin also helped train Greg Valentine as a professional wrestler.[3]

In addition to wrestling, Lewin also worked as a fish breeder for several years. Eventually, he decided to retire from wrestling and focus on his second career, which had grown to include not only pet fish, but also piranhas and alligators.[3]

Personal life

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Lewin's brothers Mark and Ted also became professional wrestlers.[3][5] He also has a sister named Sallee. Sallee began dating professional wrestler Danny McShain shortly after McShain broke Lewin's nose; the couple was later married and were together until McShain's death in 1992.[7] Due to wrestling, he required more than 30 operations throughout his life, including several hip replacements.[1]

Death

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Lewin died on December 18, 2010, at the age of 84 in Hawaii.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oliver, Greg (December 20, 2010). "Marine, wrestler, ichthyologist Donn Lewin dead at 84". Canoe.ca. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ a b Johnson, Steven; et al. (October 1, 2012). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: Heroes and Icons. ECW Press. p. 365. ISBN 978-1-77090-269-5.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Johnson, Steven (September 28, 2004). "Nothing fishy about this Executioner". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b "American Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Wrestler Profiles: Donn Lewin". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "International Tag Team Title (Georgia)". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
  7. ^ "The Forgotten Famous". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2009.
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