Donald G Patneaude

Rotterdam Junction -- Donald G. "Uncle Donald" Patneaude, 72, passed away at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center on Dec. 2 after a brief illness. Donald was born in Colchester, Vermont, on Feb. 22, 1941, to the late Clarence and Lea (Gamelin) Patneaude. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Schenectady and remained lifelong friends with many classmates. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958 at age 17. He served as a radarman on several destroyers based in Newport, R.I., including during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He graduated from Russell Sage College with a degree in history, which made him an expert at Trivial Pursuit and campfire conversation. For many years, Donald operated the Mayfair Gulf Gas Station and Arco Service Station in Burnt Hills. Donald worked as a Realtor for Welbourne & Purdy Real Estate for a short time upon his retirement. He dedicated the last 22 years of his life to service. He was a weekly volunteer at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Schenectady and the Schenectady Inner City Ministry Food Pantry. In 2011 and 2012, Donald worked tirelessly for months helping his Rotterdam Junction and Pattersonville neighbors clean out, gut and rebuild homes damaged and destroyed by Hurricane Irene. Donald was an avid outdoorsman and accomplished athlete. He was most at home in a canoe or in the woods or sleeping under the stars. His first canoe race was a 44-miler from Long Lake to Tupper Lake in 1969. He raced in 40 consecutive Tenandeho Canoe Association White Water Derbies and took first place in his division in 2012. He raced canoes with the Schenectady Wintersports Club-Northern New York Paddlers and acted as the starter and timer for the club. He also went on weekly rides with their biking club and made regular trips to the West Rotterdam Senior Center, usually by bike. He cross-country skied 73 days last year. When he wasn't racing himself, Donald could be found cheering on fellow competitors and supporting the local race community. He was a volunteer at the Burnt Hills Apple Run 5K for 19 straight years and the Charlton 5K for 17 straight years. He was a fixture on the Mohawk River and in the Sanders and Plotter Kill preserves for more than 60 years. Donald was a daily communicant of St. Margaret of Cortona Church and served as Head Usher and Greeter. Donald is survived by his brothers Camille (Audrey) Patneaude of Rotterdam and Charles (Geraldine) Patneaude of Rotterdam Junction, and his sisters Ann Kulkus of Scotia and Colette (Mark) Mozgawa of Rotterdam. He is the beloved uncle to eight nieces and nephews and countless other boys and girls, men and women who considered him their Uncle Donald, too. Donald cherished his extended family and is a founding father of the Gamelin Family Reunion, which has drawn more than 300 people at times. Donald was a loyal and devoted friend to many. "Honest Don" loved life. He liked to laugh and was a wonderful storyteller. He attended hundreds, maybe thousands, of local high school and college basketball games and mastered the art of watching multiple sporting events on TV at once. He always knew a few good corny jokes and could survive on supplies in the back of his car for weeks on end. He lived simply and loved greatly. His remarkable charm, unending wit and unforgettable character will be missed by all who loved him. Family and friends are invited to call at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction. Interment with full military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16 at the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Donald's name to St. Margaret of Cortona.