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Memoriam
We celebrate the lives of fellow 46ers who are now climbing the celestial hills, wishing them peace.
2019
J. Thomas Nash #109
J. Thomas Nash died Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from complications following open heart surgery. He is survived by his wife, Marti, two daughters, Katharine and Laura, their husbands Paul Suding and Erik Edborg, grandchildren Madeline and Thomas Suding, cousin Susan Nash Rice, niece Susan Johnson Preston, and nephews Douglas Johnson and Kenneth Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents, Duane H. Nash and Barbara Shertz Nash, and by his older sister, Nancy Nash Johnson of Nashville, TN. He lived in Louisville, CO, a small town east of Boulder, within sight of the Rocky Mountains he loved.
Tom was born 78 years ago on July 30, 1941, in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. He spent his childhood in Wilmington, Delaware, attending Wilmington Friends School, and on Lake Champlain at Corlear Bay, near Keeseville, New York. His summers there were a boy’s dream: backpacking and canoe trips in the Adirondacks; climbing all the fabled 46er’s with his older sister Nancy and father Dan. As a counselor at Camp Lincoln in the North Country, Tom perfected his camp cook skills that were to impress his children on camping trips years later in the Rocky Mountains.
He graduated from Amherst College in 1963, and went on to Columbia University for a Ph.D. in Geology, in 1966. His entire working career was with the U.S. Geological Survey, at centers in Washington, D.C., Menlo Park, CA., and Denver, CO. This work carried him happily throughout the West on summer field trips, down into working gold and uranium mines to collect ore samples, and joint studies with other geologists. Many younger colleagues will be forever grateful for his mentorship. He loved his job, even writing it all up back at his computer. It allowed him to combine a strong work ethic, commitment, and independent spirit with his lifelong love of open spaces.
Tom and Marti met in New York City in 1966. They were married in the Chapel on the Columbia Univ. campus and lived on Morningside Heights until his graduation. They moved to Wash.,D.C. the following year, then to Menlo Park, CA, for his work at the USGS branch there. Marti commuted by train to complete her B.A. degree at San Jose State College. Daughter Katharine was born in 1971. Tom applied for a transfer to the USGS Denver branch and they moved in 1974, settling in Evergreen, 20 miles west in the Front Range foothills, where they lived for the next 28 years. Daughter Laura was born in 1975, the same year they built their first house on Quarterhorse Road. When the girls moved on to college and Tom retired in 2002 they moved back East to the Lake Champlain area where Tom had spent his summers growing up. They lived in Burlington, Vermont, across the lake from Corlear Bay, and then in the Lake Champlain Islands near Alburgh. More moves were to come in an effort to stay in touch with the family still in the West. Granddaughter Madeline was born in 2006 in Irvine, California where Katharine had her first job teaching ecology at UC Irvine. This prompted the next move to Las Vegas, New Mexico, a town one hour east of Santa Fe and just a day’s drive to Irvine. Then back to northern California when Katharine moved up to UC Berkeley and grandson Thomas was born; and finally back to Colorado. He loved all the moves, even the packing up. In each of these places Tom used his building and problem solving skills to restore old houses in need of fixing and build work spaces for Marti, an artist. He was a rare combination of scientist, handyman, auto mechanic and faithful correspondent to the many friends left behind along the way.
A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, August 28, 2019. 4 pm, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boulder, Colorado. Please make donations in his name to Sister Carmen Community Center in Lafayette, Colorado.
George Elias #594
George J. Elias, 89, of Inverness, FL, passed away on November 2, 2019. He was born on February 26, 1930 in Queens, NY, son of Frank and Louise Elias.
George worked as an engineer at Grumman Aerospace on Long Island for 27 years. He was involved in the Apollo Space Landing on the moon. He was a veteran of the US Army.
He was a member of St. Mary-St Andrew’s Catholic Church in Ellenville, NY and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Inverness, FL.
In the 1960’s he built a small house in his beloved Catskill Mountains and spent every weekend there for many years.
He enjoyed hunting with his dear friends that stayed in the house with him and he did all the cooking. He also skied and fished and loved to read about World War II and airplanes.
George was an avid hiker. He was a Forty-Sixer, a member of the Long Island chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, and Catskill Club, where he maintained hiking trails in both the Adirondacks and Catskills. He completed the Catskill 3500 peaks on May 18, 1970. He became the trails Chairman, then Vice President and then President during his involvement of 15 years. His spirit has kept the Long Island chapter involved with The Brother Trail through the present time.
In 1981, he and his good friend, Herb Coles, went on a hiking trip to the Uinta Mountains in Utah where he met his wife, Helen Ryan. In 1983, they began their 35 year peaceful and loving marriage. George and Helen traveled all over the United States in their camper. They took trips to see a lot of the world from Antarctica to China. He had a small boat, loved his Jeep and his “Far Nuff” house in the Catskills. They built a home in Florida and spent winters there. George and Helen volunteered at the “Time & the Valleys” Museum in Grahamsville, NY and at the Daniel Pierce Library. They wrote a small treatise on early Red Hill, the area they lived in the Catskills. They spearheaded the renovation of a NY state fire tower in Red Hill, NY.
George was a quiet man, a thinker, a kind and generous man much revered by his first cousins, Bill & Lorraine Elias and their children, Dustin cousins, Chebusky cousins and Ryan in-laws, nieces and nephews and many friends.
George was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Robert.
Survivors include wife, Helen Elias of Inverness, FL.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at ____ on Friday, November 8, 2019 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Inverness. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
George will be terribly missed. May he rest in Peace.
Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness, FL.
David B. Chandler #624
Daniel P. Kane #7532
QUEENSBURY — “It is not important whether you make the summit; it is important how you make the climb,” by Grace Hudowalski, 9th 46er and first woman to summit all 46 peaks, was one of Dan’s favorite quotes and how he lived his life.
Born in Glens Falls, Dan was a son of the late Herbert and Margaret (Wiser) Kane. He lived in Lake Luzerne for the first few years of his life and then moved to Keeseville, where he enjoyed working on his neighbor’s farm (Tony Santor) until returning to the local area when he was a teen. Dan graduated from Queensbury High School in the class of 1972. After graduating, he returned to the Keeseville area to study geography and environmental sciences at SUNY Plattsburgh, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1976. On Aug. 11, 1984, Dan married the love of his life, Charlene Harvey, and together they built their home and raised their family in Queensbury, his hometown which he loved so much.
His first job was at the Lake George/Lake Champlain Regional Planning Board. In 1978, Dan moved to the Warren County Planning Department, where he worked for 21 years. While at Warren County, he was instrumental in the creation of the Stop-DWI program and the Warren County Recycling program. In his 40s, Dan continued his education, earning his master’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. He later attended Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he earned his certificate in school district administration.
Dan began a second career as a high school history teacher and was employed by Queensbury High School for 15 years, until he retired in 2012. During his teaching career, Dan was a youth and government program advisor, mock trial advisor, SADD advisor as well as an adjunct professor with SUNY Adirondack, teaching geography.
Dan was a dedicated member of our community, spent many hours working out and socializing with friends at the YMCA, worked 40 years as a high school basketball referee and 20 years as an off-ice hockey official in the UHL, AHL and ECHL. He was a real estate agent with ReMax Peak Performers, a summit steward and board member for the Adirondack 46ers, a board member of the Adirondack Mountain Club, a member of the Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue, a member of Therapy Dogs International, security guard at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and former YMCA board member. His greatest accomplishments were becoming a 46er (#7532) in 2012 after hiking all of the high peaks in the Lake Placid region before his 60th birthday, and raising a family. His family was his life and made him so proud.
Daniel P. Kane, 65, of Queensbury, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at Glens Falls Hospital, after a 3 1/2 year battle with bladder cancer with his family by his side.
Survivors include Dan’s wife of 35 years, Charlene Kane; his daughters, Elizabeth (Brock) Renfrew of Troy and Emily (Joe Morris) Kane of Queensbury; and most importantly, his therapy dog, Marcy; his siblings, Patrick (Beth) Kane of Saratoga Springs, Kevin (Maura) Kane of Wilbraham, Massachusetts and Katherine (Jon Coughlan) Kane of New Albany, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at Regan Denny Stafford Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury.
Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
Interment will be held in Pine View Cemetery, Queensbury.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Adirondack Mountain Club, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845; The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, 120 State St., Albany, NY 12207; and Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, 4915 St. Elmo Ave. Suite 202, Bethesda, MD 20814.
To express condolences, visit www.sbfuneralhome.com.
Michael E. Neaton #3286
Albert T. Trendell #2277
Obituary for Albert T. Trendell
Albert T, Trendell, 98, of Minoa, passed away February 12, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.
Born in Syracuse on September 29, 1920. He was the son of Benjamin and Rosina Trendell. He was a graduate of East Syracuse High School, Class of 1938. Albert served in the US Army Air Corps, as a 1st LT and navigator on a B17 in Europe, during WWII.
Bert was a plasterer for Henderson Johnson Inc., retiring in 1985. He was awarded the craftsmanship award for Ornamental Plasterwork in 1984 from the Syracuse Builders Exchange.
He served on the Emmanuel Episcopal Church vestry, local school board, and boy scouts committees. Bert was a Master Mason and past Master of Onondaga 802, member Nortrip 998. He was an advisor for Rainbow Girls and DeMolay and a Distinguished
Service Award recipient. He was a 46er (#2277) and enjoyed woodworking.
He was predeceased by his son, Tom; and grandson, Eric.
Surviving are his wife of 77 years, Beatrice VanDeusen; daughter, Pamela Trendell; sons, Douglas (Monika) and Larry (Davina); 5 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brother, Frank Trendell; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Friday, February 22, from 5 to 7pm with a Masonic Service at 6:30pm at the R.H. Schepp & Son, 6530 Schepp Corners Road, Minoa. A funeral service will be Saturday, February 23 at noon at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 400 W. Yates Street, East Svracuse, NY 13075.
Joseph A. Halm #2619
Roger C. Hahn #2776
Elizabeth Heald #1667W
Elizabeth (Betty) Benton Maury Heald - of Paramus. pre-deceased by Sam P Maury, Jr, (Memphis, TN) and Philip B Heald (Hubbardston, MA). a graduate of Vanderbilt University, Betty was an educator, bicyclist, mountain climber, horticulturist and active environmentalist. While at River Dell Regional Schools she earned a NJ Mini-Grant for Innovations Environmental Education. In retirement she was active in and served as President of the Worcester Foundation for Biological Research Auxiliary, was elected to and served on the Hubbardston, MA Board of Health, became certified as a Master Gardner and served as a docent for Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. Upon returning to NJ she tutored for the Bergen Couny Special Services GED program.
Born in Brooklyn, NY. She is survived by daughters: Barbara Gail Maury, San Francisco, CA; Lynn Maury, Zionsville, IN, son Alan Maury, Paramus; siblings: Jeanne Middlemass, CT, Robert Benton, Narragansett RI, and Judith Willbergh, Brick NJ; grandchildren: Allison, Luke, Frank, and Matthew Maury of Paramus.
She served as Conservation Chair for the North Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club lobbying in Washington, DC for the Clean Air Act and the Alaska Lands Bills. While serving on the River Edge Shade Tree Commission, she helped develop the Bergen County bicycle route through River Edge.
Betty earned membership in the APPALACHIAN MT CLUB's Northeast 111, the 100-Highest, the ADK-46ers, the Catskill 3500 Club (all in winter). For many years Ms. Heald and her husband Phil co-led a weeklong traverse across the Franconia and Presidential Ranges in New Hampshire. She loved living in Massachusetts with Phil on her Golden Pond and tending to her tree farm and garden.
As a science teacher, avid naturalist and environmentalist, Betty influenced many of her students to carry on the mission of caring for our planet. At a later date, the family will hold a service where her family, friends, and students can celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to NY-NJ Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Rd, Mahwah, NJ 07430 or the Central Unitarian Church, 156 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652.
Norman J. Smith #1652W
April 25, 1928 - February 16, 2019
Middletown, NY
Norman J. Smith, a 63 year area resident, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Columbia/Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, NY. He was 90 years of age. The son of the late Norman and Johanna Schraft Smith, he was born on April 25, 1928 in Huntington, NY.
After military service at the end of World War II and during the Korean War, graduation from college and accounting jobs, he came to Middletown selling prefab shell homes and met his future partner Patrick McDermott, also becoming interested in real estate. Eventually this led to a partnership in McDermott, Moore and Smith Real Estate Firm for 40 years.
Hiking was his passion. His achievements included: Adirondack 46er, New England 111, the Western 15,000 Footers, 50 State Highpoints, and a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail with his wife "Kip", plus numerous other trails and international peaks.
Survivors include; his wife, Arlene "Kip" Smith at home; his children, Andrew and Selena Smith, Anne and Glenn Mohler, Tammy and Russell Howarth, Penny and Tad Guski and nine grandchildren; his sister, Norma and Clarence Robinson and two nephews and a niece. Norman was predeceased by his first wife, Kitty Smith Meyer.
His step-children include, Michael Patnode, Mark Patnode, Anne and Marc Wilson, Margaret and Timothy Szeliga; seven step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Adirondack Mountain Club and the American Heart Association.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Cremation took place at the Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, NY.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY. To send a condolence to the family please visit www.connellfuneralhome.com.
Alan H. Wadliegh #7705
Obituary for Alan H. Wadleigh #7705, GLENS FALLS
Alan H. Wadleigh #7705, 52, of Glens Falls passed away while hiking in the Adirondack Mountains on Sunday March 17, 2019.
Born October 26, 1966 in Glens Falls, NY, he was the son of Elizabeth (Betty) Wadleigh.
He was a class of 1985 graduate of Glens Falls High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Charter Oak State College and his MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Alan married Glenda Martindale in 1990 at the United Methodist Church. He was a very caring man with a deep love for his family. Alan was very outgoing and made friends easily wherever he went. He made many close friends at work, at his kid’s sporting events, with his neighbors, as an EMT, and as a hiker in the Adirondack mountains. He had a long career at AngioDynamics as a Systems Analyst and took pride in his career. He was always willing to help others and always treated everyone with kindness. He was known for his sense of humor and enjoyed a good prank or scare.
Alan was an avid hiker who conquered the 46 high peaks and hiked year-round. He also completed the Fire Tower challenge, Saranac 6er, Tupper Lake Triad, and the Indian Lake 4-3-2-1. He loved cooking, a good poker game and trying new restaurants with his family. He recently became a grandfather and opened his heart to her instantly. In his recent years he made a close circle of friends as part of the QC Club at Davidson’s in downtown Glens Falls.
He was predeceased by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Otis and Viola Martindale, his sister-in-law Joyce Keays, and his brother-in-law Norman Martindale.
Alan is survived by his wife of nearly thirty years, Glenda (Martindale) Wadleigh, his son, Joshua Wadleigh, his daughter Katlin Wadleigh (Cody Yousey), and his granddaughter Avery, all of Glens Falls. He also leaves behind his mother, Betty Wadleigh and five siblings, Donald (Laurie) Wadleigh, Glenn (Lynn) Wadleigh, Mark Wadleigh, Sue (Patrick) Baldwin, Craig (Lisa) Wadleigh, sisters-in-law Beverly Whiting, Arlene Austin, and Gwen (Wayne) Thomas and brothers-in-law Bascom Elms and David Keays. His is also survived by his many nieces and nephews.
Thomas J. Clark #700
Edward C. Stone #2364
March 18, 2019
Edward C. Stone, 74, of Oswego, passed away at his home on Monday, March 18, 2019. He was born in Oswego to Carlton “Gene” and Margaret Stone and was a graduate of Oswego Catholic High School in 1963. Upon graduation from high school, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years until his honorable discharge in 1967. Ed continued to serve his country in the U.S. Naval Reserve until 1969. He was employed for several years as a sheet metal fabricator with Fulton Sheet Metal. Edward enjoyed bowling, hunting and had a passion for hiking in the Adirondacks. Ed climbed all 46 of the high peaks and was member #2364 of the ADK 46-R Mountain Club.
He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Brandon) Forsythe of Mexico; his mother and step-father, Margaret and John Grela of Oswego; his siblings, Thomas (Sharon) Stone of Martville, Stephen (Nancy) Grela of Harleysville, PA and Ann Marie (Brian) Sawyer of Oswego; three grandchildren, Tyler (Morgan) Kennedy, Ashley (Michael) Barry and Trevor Forsythe; two great grandchildren, Toren and Roxy Kennedy; an uncle, several aunts, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Carlton “Gene” Stone in 1953.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home, Fulton. Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Oswego. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the funeral home, 21 Flood Drive, Fulton. Contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to the ADK 46ers, P.O. Box 180, Cadyville, NY 12918. To leave a message of sympathy for the Stone family, please visit www.brownfuneralhomefulton.com.
John Pearson #6820
John Pearson, 80, passed away February 2, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born in Syracuse, NY to Hubert and Trewey Pearson and lived in Bridgeport and Long Lake, NY. He served in the US Air Force and was employed with GE as an electrical engineer for 36 years. He was an extra class amateur radio (AA2AE) operator and enjoyed speaking with people all over the world.
John loved to learn about nature and became a proficient naturalist. He could readily identify and explain the life history of most wild flowers, shrubs, trees and song birds found in the Adirondacks. He also became a student of Adirondack history and developed an impressive personal library for his reference.
He initially doubted he could handle the long, arduous High Peak trails but as anyone who hiked with John soon discovered there was no peak he could not conquer as well as, if not better than, many hikers half his age. In July of 2007, at age 68 John began hiking the High Peaks with Jim (#6818) and Katherine Cronn (#6819). Their first peak together was Phelps and upon seeing the view from the summit, he could not wait to hike the rest. Four summers later they finished together on Whiteface. The Cronn’s sons joined them on the hike and John’s daughter, Cathy, met everyone on the summit for a celebration. At age 72 John became ADK 46er #6820.
John completed the ADK Fire Tower Challenge and continued to climb the High Peaks and other trails and summits until his health failed him last summer. Colden which he summited several times remained a favorite and he loved the alpine flora atop Algonquin. In addition to hiking John loved to paddle his Hornbeck canoe logging hundreds of miles in Adirondack streams and ponds and was well on his way to completing the ADK Paddle Challenge.
John served as Vice-President at the Long Lake Fish and Game Club. He was never too busy to help out a friend on whatever the project. John was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Nona Pearson. John is survived by his children, Lucinda (David) Fehringer, John (Deborah) Pearson, Suzanne (Mark) Pearson-Ceretto, Cathy (Greg) Hudson, and David DeGroff; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. Burial is in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the ADK 46ers, PO Box 180, Cadyville, NY 12918.
2018
Donald M. Wallace #283
Donald MacPherson Wallace Jr. June 24, 1934 - Nov. 18, 2018
NORTHFIELD - Donald MacPherson Wallace Jr., of Northfield, Vermont, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, after a short illness. His daughters Beth and Meg and his longtime companion, Mary Bellinzier, were with him until the end. He was an extraordinarily dedicated professor, a committed mountaineer, a staunch environmentalist and an avid gardener; he had a strong belief in giving back to his community, and firm opinions on most subjects.
Don Wallace was born on June 24, 1934, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Donald MacPherson Wallace I and Edwina (Pomeroy) Wallace. He was the elder of two brothers and was predeceased by his brother, Edwin (1936-2009). Don enlisted as a medic in the Army in 1954 during the Korean conflict. Discharged in 1956, he enrolled in the University of Vermont and graduated with a B.S.M.E. in 1960. Don completed his M.S. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1962). From 1962, he taught at Norwich University in Northfield, beginning a 55-year career interrupted only by his doctoral studies (EngScD, Columbia University, 1968). With his signature pipe, moustache and glasses, he was a familiar and formidable figure to generations of students until his retirement in 2017 at age 83.
Don's lifelong passion for mountaineering began on hiking trips with his aunt and uncle Lillian and Russell Lodge, members of the New Jersey section of the Green Mountain Club. With his aunt, Gladys Anderson, he climbed his first of the Northeast 111, Big Slide Mountain in the Catskills in 1946. Always a completist, he was the fourth person to hike all 115 mountains on the list (including 67 New England peaks over 4,000 feet, the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, and two other New York mountains), finishing in 1964. Don also climbed all the Colorado 14ers from 1972 to 1988 and hiked Vermont's Long Trail end-to-end.
In 1980, he became the fourth person to climb the high points of all 50 U.S. states, including Denali. Don supported the Northfield community in many ways over his 55+ years in town. He was an EMT on the Northfield Ambulance Squad from 1975-2001, and represented Northfield to the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District from 1986-2001, during which time he helped to start Northfield's waste reduction effort, got Northfield's Transfer Station built, and headed up Northfield's Green-Up Day efforts. He was on the Select Board from 1999 to 2008. In the UVM Outing Club, Don met Marlene Bryant and was married in June 1960. They had two daughters Elizabeth (1961) and Margaret (1963). The young family spent most weekends camping in their VW bus in order to hike and climb, often at the Shawangunks in New York's Mohonk Trust. The couple divorced in 1973.
In 1987, he met Mary Bellinzier at a Norwich dinner-dance. They shared a life and a home for 31 years, hiking and climbing in New England and around the country and listening to many Bluegrass Gospel Project concerts. Don and Mary skied Vermont's Catamount Trail together, finishing in 1995. Don was a beloved father and a cherished partner. He is sorely missed. Don is survived by his daughters Beth Wallace (Colleen Boyce) and Meg Wallace; his nieces Eileen Wallace Bradley (Bruce) and Karen Wallace-Pisano; his longtime companion, Mary Bellinzier; and countless students, colleagues, friends and neighbors. A memorial service will be held at Norwich University on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Catamount Trail Association, the Green Mountain Club, the Mohonk Trust or the Northfield Ambulance Volunteers Inc.
Lisa K. Turpin-Soeller #7118
The Rev. R. L. Donahue #358
The Reverend Canon Ray Lawrence Donahue of Downsville, NY, died on Thursday, November, 22, 2018 in Binghamton, NY.
Father Donahue was born February 23, 1929 and was the son of the late James and Laura Donahue of Horseheads, NY. He was predeceased by a brother James, and is survived by two sisters, Josephine Larson and Anita Donahue and several nieces and nephews.
“Fr. D” as he was affectionately known, was beloved throughout Delaware County and the Catskill region, The Episcopal Church, and to countless people whose lives he blessed.
He received his bachelor degree in Philosophy from Hobart College, Geneva, NY and a Master of Sacred Theology from General Seminary, New York City. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1954. He was made Canon of the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, NY.
Father Donahue served at Trinity Church, Sharon Springs, NY, St. Paul’s Church, West Middleburgh, NY, St. Mary’s Church, Downsville, NY and St. Margaret’s Church, Margaretville, NY. In retirement, he served at Trinity Church, Rensselaerville, NY and Christ Church, Greenville, NY. He also supplied regularly at Christ Church, Walton, NY, St. James Church, Lake Delaware, NY, and St. Peter’s Church, Geneva, NY.
As Chaplain of the Lake Delaware Boys’ Camp for fifty years, Father D nurtured young people and their counselors and provided for the camp’s spiritual needs by the offering of daily mass and addresses to over 100 campers and staff each season. A celebration was held at the camp this past summer to honor him for his 50th year as Camp Chaplain, and to express the love, reverence and respect with which he was held by all.
As a renowned mountain climber, Father Donahue passed on his love for the mountains to many other people. In 1969, he climbed all forty-six peaks in the Adirondacks over 4,000 feet in elevation in nine days, a record that stood for many years. He was a Charter Member of the Catskills 3500 Club, and served as the Chair of Conservation.
In retirement, Father Donahue took a milking course at Cornell Cooperative Extension, and worked at the Harmonie Farm, Downsville, NY for several years.
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of The Rev. Ray L. Donahue will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 55 Lake Delaware Drive, Delhi, NY. The Rev. James Kruger, celebrant, The Rev. James H. Adams, preacher and assisted by others.
Father Donahue made an Anatomical Gift of his body to the Albany Medical College.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Delaware Boys Camp, P. O. Box 31, Delhi, NY 13753.
