Donald William Donah, 88

Donald W. Donah died Sunday, June 2, 2024, a week after his loving wife of 66 years, Jean A. Donah, passed away. He was 88 years old and died after a short illness.

Don and Jean lived at 2 Logan Lane in Tupper Lake, New York.

Don was born November 19, 1935, in Potsdam, New York, the son of Clarence and Lena Donah. He graduated from Potsdam High School in 1954, then joined the US Army and traveled to Germany for his tour of duty. He served honorably from November 23, 1954, until November 10th, 1956.

He then attended what was known as Canton Agricultural and Technical College from 1957 to 1959, completing his associate’s degree. It was at Canton ATC where he met the love of his life, Jean Anne Gionet. They were married on July 12, 1958 in St. Alphonsus Church and held their wedding celebration in the newly rebuilt Tupper Lake Golf Clubhouse.

Don and Jean started their first business venture called Don’s Men’s Shop at 127 Park Street, in the Union Block Building with the help of his father-in-law, Ernie Gionet. Two years later, he opened the Montgomery Ward Catalog Store, which he and his wife ran until 1985. Then they became a sales agency for J.C. Penney Co., operating the store together until 2003, when they sold the successful retail business after 43 years.

Don also taught business math and social studies courses at Tupper Lake High School after returning to Plattsburgh State University to complete his bachelor’s degree. After 18 years as a teacher, he retired from the Tupper Lake school system in 2003.

The adventurous couple then traveled out West to visit family, then to the Alaskan wilderness and parts unknown. Don was active in the Tupper Lake community, joining the Lion’s Club, sponsoring bowling teams, playing men’s basketball, league golf and baseball. He took pride in cooking and managing his beloved hunting camp, Buck-A-Year, where he served as president for 38 years. Both Don and Jean were founding members of the Wild Center and volunteered for several years, helping the science museum become one of the most popular in the nation.

Through the years, Don’s love for competitive sports resulted in his winning multiple trophies that lined the family’s basement. In 1972, he was the Tupper Lake Golf Club Champion. Don and Jean were formidable on the card table as well. In his later years, he taught friends and neighbors how to play the game of bridge. Don was an active member of the St. Alphonsus Parish. Don and Jean loved to travel and spent every spring in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, meeting up with good friends at their favorite spot, Land’s End.

Don is survived by his three sons: Michael and Rick, both of Tupper Lake, and James of Albany; a granddaughter, Nicole Donah of Albany, a grandson Luke Donah and his wife of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a great grandson named Beaux.

He is also survived by a sister, Catherine Pillar of Pottstown, PA. nephews Jeff and Jason Pillar, nieces Beth, Rebecca and Kristina of Pottstown PA., nephews Steve, John and Mike and niece Cindy of Bishop, CA; a sister-in-law Helen (Dennis) Schmidling of Sisters, Oregon; nieces Jodie McLeod of Colorado and Melissa Gionet of New Zealand. nieces Patti, Robin, and Angie Donah of Potsdam, N.Y. Also, stepbrothers-in-law Gary and Dave Barnett and partner Molly Sherwin of Albany.

In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brothers Robert (Sally) Donah and Clarence “Lee” Donah, a sister ,Dorothy (Charles) McArthur, and an infant brother Richard and sister Sue Carol Donah, his brother-in-law Daniel and wife Margaret Gionet of Keeseville, N.Y. and three of their children, Amy, Chris, and Mary; stepsister Dana and Stan Gilligan of Malone, N.Y., as well as his beloved nephew, Christopher R. Donah.

He was the primary caregiver for his devoted wife Jean Anne, who suffered dementia for over a decade.

Don was a humble, gentle, and generous man. A mass of Christian burial will be at Saint Alphonsus Church later this summer. There will be no calling hours per his wishes.

Contributions in his honor may be sent to the Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance and Emergency Squad, Inc., PO Box 901, Tupper Lake, N.Y .12986, who served the family well and allowed them to age in place.