Donald Edward August

SCHOHAIRE- It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Donald Edward August. He transitioned on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 after a long illness, at the age of 85.

Born June 26,1939 in Schenectady to Nicholas and Anna August, Ed (as he liked to be called) graduated from Draper High School and attended Clarkson University. His early professional life was in home construction, serving as Vice President and General Manager of Imagineering, a modular housing firm in Clifton Park. He then moved on to open his own company, Northeast Creative Housing. Increasingly socially conscious, Ed shifted his focus and became the administrator of W.A.I.T.T. House (We Are All in This Together), a foster care agency based in Schenectady, where he worked for six years. Blending his experiences of housing and humanitarianism, he ultimately found himself in the role of Executive Director of Better Neighborhoods, an affordable housing agency in Schenectady. For his work with Better Neighborhoods, he was presented with the Key of the City upon his retirement in 2015.

In 1990 Ed began laying down roots in the town of Schoharie, moving into a 19th century home that would eventually become a Bed and Breakfast. He would work for a number of years in local government, serving as deputy mayor as well as on several village boards and committees. Earlier in life, Ed was vice-prefect for the Third Order of St. Francis, an organization based in Schenectady that served the poor communities of the region. In recent years, together with Father Peter Chepaitis, he helped establish a Third Order chapter based in Schoharie, often hosting meetings in his home. One of Ed’s deepest passions was for fly fishing and fly tying. He offered fly tying courses at his home as well other locations. He would often boast about having instructed James Earl Jones on the art of fly tying. A gifted pianist from early childhood, Ed maintained his musical skills throughout life, even serving as church pianist/organist in Schoharie. He also immensely enjoyed curating concerts in his home, regularly inviting musicians from the area and beyond to perform on his concert series.

His marriage to Joyce Cusano August produced their three children Michele, Gregg and Jeffrey. He was predeceased by his second wife Phyllis Weremichik August.   He is survived by his children Michele August of Brooklyn, Gregg August of Brooklyn, Jeffrey (Susan) August of West Palm Beach, FL, grandsons Miles and Maxwell August of West Palm Beach, FL., sister Marie Petrarca of E. Greenwich, RI, brother Nicholas August Jr. of Schenectady and sister Marguerite Delaney of Troy,

Funeral services will be held Thursday September 19, 2024 at 10 am in the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave. Rotterdam. Relatives and friends are invited and may also visit with Ed’s family on Wednesday September 18th from 5:30 to 8 pm in the funeral home. Interment will be in Sts. Cyril and Method Cemetery, Rotterdam.