Thursday, October 1, 2026
Donald and Diane LauKaitis of East Rockaway celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16. The couple renewed their vows on Nov. 14 at St Raymond’s Church in East Rockaway with a ceremony conducted by Deacon Bob Campbell — who married them 25 years ago.
“We were his first wedding,” said Diane, “and he has since baptized and given the sacraments to both of our children.”
The date of the renewal service would have been the 62nd anniversary of Diane’s parents, Claude and RoseMarie Rust. “They both have passed and it was a way of them being a part of our celebration in our hearts and spirit,” she said.
Diane and Donald met through her mother and the Auxiliary Police Department, where they all eventually worked. Donald was an auxiliary police officer and RoseMarie was his dispatcher — and played matchmaker. “She would send him to our house saying that she forgot something, or at times I would ride my bike down to headquarters to drop off whatever she forgot,” Diane said. “We [eventually] went out to a bar sing-a-long place called Bourbon Barrel in Massapequa. We had a drink, sang some songs — I still have song sheet — and left. He kissed me goodnight, asked me to dinner the following day — and we’ve been together for 30 years now. We’re looking forward to the next 30!”
Their children Eric, 23, and Amber 18, stood up for the couple at their renewal ceremony.
