David Ross Donaldson

David Ross Donaldson

Sodus:  David Ross Donaldson, born April 26, 1951 in Schenectady, NY died after a brief illness on March 26, 2023 at the age of 71. The son of Lt. Col. George and Joan Donaldson, Dave spent some of his earliest years in Japan before the Donaldson family settled in Watertown, NY, where Dave graduated from Watertown High School in 1969. Dave was a true gentleman, a kind and generous spirit, and a loving husband and father who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.

Dave, known as “Ray Hurricane Dord” to his SUNY Oswego classmates, graduated with a BA in English in 1973. His time in Oswego left a permanent imprint on the rest of his life. His friendships from that era lasted a lifetime. Oswego also brought him two great loves of his life, his wife of nearly 48 years, Stephanie DeSiena, and the beautiful waters of Lake Ontario.

Most of Dave’s career was spent with Best Tile in Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, NY. At different points in time he served as a store manager and warehouse worker. Though the tile business gave him the opportunity to travel to Spain and Italy, he was truly most content when hiking and boating in the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks. An Eagle Scout, Dave’s love of the outdoors was a constant throughout his life, which he joyfully passed on to his daughters. He was also a great lover of music, with a precisely documented collection of LP’s of folk and classic rock, and held tickets for a Richard Thompson concert in just a few weeks.

Dave is survived by his wife, Stephanie of Sodus, NY and his daughters, Rachel Donaldson Muse and her husband Joshua Muse of Montpelier, VT and Sarah of Sodus, NY. He is also survived by his brother Bruce (Bette) of Marco Island, Florida, sister Deborah (Cayte) of Conway, MA, and sister Rebecca Baker of Richmond, VA, as well as brother-in-law Anthony DeSiena (Barbara) and sister-in-law Michele Carlson (David) and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and a grand-nephew.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Williamson Volunteer Ambulance Service and Dave’s amazing neighbors Randy and Shelley Hares for all that they have done for Dave and the family. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at his traditional Independence Day party at his home in Sodus on the 4th of July.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Finger Lakes Land Trust or the Wayne County Humane Society.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.youngfuneralhomeny.com

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