Obituary of Donald J. Washburn

Donald J. Washburn passed away June 5, 2014 after a brief illness at the Pinecrest Hospice Center. He was blessed with a long, active, and healthy life. He was a caring husband to his predeceased wife, Mazie (Cook) Washburn, for 63 years. Born July 20, 1919 in Albany, New York to Cyrus and Anna (Wendell) Washburn, he was one of four children raised in Gansevoort, NY. He was a graduate of South Glens Falls High School and enjoyed his class reunions including his 70th. He was a devoted father to his surviving children Rev. Dr. Donald R. Washburn of Galway, NY, Rosemary Rogers and her husband Don of Suffield, CT, and Dr. Willard H. Washburn and his wife Renee Silber of Corinth, NY. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and extended family. He and his wife Mazie, whom he met at a square dance at the Bacon Hill Grange, built the Grange League Federation feed mill in Gansevoort which began his long career with GLF and Agway. He was an active Mason and served as an officer with the Masonic Temple in Gansevoort. He was a lay preacher, justice of the peace, and helped build the Gansevoort Fire House which is now a historic landmark. He was a member of the South Glens Falls School Board and a member of the Board of Trustees for Cobleskill College of Agriculture and Technology during its formative years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cooperstown, NY and the Bacon Hill Reformed Church. He was an avid hunter and taught the ways of the woods to his sons and many others. He was an athlete and enjoyed sports throughout his life. He became an accomplished baseball pitcher and after hitting one of the longest home runs (over the old milk plant roof) on the Gansevoort ball field, people wondered for years “how a little man could hit the ball so far.” It was a metaphor for his life in terms of its distance and achievement. His humor and encouragement brought joy to many and led to his enjoyment of life. He touched the lives of many and where he walked, left the world a better place. Calling hours will be at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church in Bacon Hill, N.Y., Saturday, June 21, 2014, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM followed by a funeral service at 2 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Flynn Bros., Inc. Funeral Home, 13 Gates Ave. Schuylerville, (518) 695-3138. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations in the memory of Donald J. Washburn to: Bacon Hill Cemetery Association, c/o Jean Peck, 810 Route 32, Schuylerville, NY 12871.