Donald “Faker” LaFave

Donald "Faker" LaFave, died May 15, 2025. He was born in Tupper Lake, to the late Laura and Harley "Buster" LaFave. He was born March 20, 1937.

He went to Holy Ghost Academy until 1954 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1954-1957. He served in Germany and the Reserves for four years.

He came out of Germany in 1957 and worked in Tupper Lake for Frechette Construction and at the Cronin Garage with his dad. He then went to Syracuse, where he was a member of the Local 317 Teamsters working with the highway construction with Warren Ashland Construction, Winnkelman Construction, Pike Construction, Nine Mile, General Crush Stone, Leigh and Hanson Construction. After 30 years with local No. 317 Teamster Highway Construction he retired in 1999. He retired in Baldwinsville and lived on the Seneca River.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Esther Brown, and Doris Vaughn. He is survived by his wife Edith "Dee" LaFave; sons Allen, Shaun (Carrie); grandchildren, Tyler (Trish) and Jordan; great grandchildren, Brea and Bentley.

He enjoyed his retirement with his wife "Dee" in Florida, Nashville TN, and Elvis Presley, TN. He enjoyed his toys, his Volkswagen, Mustang, his dogs and cats, and riding the golf cart with his wife down to the river. He loved to visit Tupper Lake for flea markets, the Woodsmen’s Days and to Saranac Lake and Lake Placid for trips on the weekend.

He loved his "Happy Hours" with good people and loved music. Don will be cremated across the Seneca River behind his house. There will be no services. To share a memory of Don, please visit www.newcomersyracuse.com