Donald W. Faulkner

Faulkner, Donald W. SCHENECTADY Donald W. Faulkner, 66, passed away at home from natural causes on April 10, 2018 in Schenectady, New York. Donald was born in Mt Lebanon, Pa. on January 8, 1952. He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. where he also managed the Whole Earth Bookstore for several years and developed a lifelong love for collecting books. He went on to receive twin Masters degrees from Yale University. He became the director of the Yale Summer Creative Writing Program and served there until relocating to the Albany area in 1995 to serve as the Director of the New York State Writers Institute. At the Institute, Don was instrumental in bringing a wide range of visiting poets, novelists, non-fiction writers, filmmakers and creative artists to the SUNY Albany campus. New York State Writers Institute founder, William Kennedy said, "Don was with us for a very long time and he did a fine job over the years. Don knew a lot about literature." He resigned from the Institute in 2016 after 21 years at its helm. A recognized scholar of the cultural critic and writer, Malcolm Cowley, Don edited The Portable Malcolm Cowley and his Exile's Return: A Literary Odyssey of the 1920's. Don specialized in the literature and culture of post-war Paris, serving as on-screen consultant in Perry Miller Adato's PBS documentary, Paris: the Luminous Years and in Stephen Crisman's episode, "The Lost Generation" for the PBS series Biography. A poet and essayist, Don was at work on a steampunk novel about his galaxy traveling dog, Jack, in the last months of his life. Ireland held a special place in his heart and he fondly remembered the music, culture and friendships he made there. Don was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary (Stabile) Faulkner, both of whom he cared for with great devotion, and his dear sister, Diane Faulkner Smith. He is survived by his brother, David and his wife, Debra of Colorado; his sister, Deborah Warn and her husband, David of Michigan; brother-in-law Alan Smith of Florida; as well as nieces and a nephew, grand nieces and grand nephews. He is also mourned by his former wife, Jo Page of Schenectady. Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, McMurray, Pa.