Donald Ernest Greene

1929 - 2024

Donald Ernest Greene, 94, passed away on January 8, 2024, with his daughters, Donna and Mary Jo, by his side.

He was born on November 18, 1929, in Rome, NY, son of Ernest J. and Cynthia Mae Allen Greene. He lived in Rome, NY, until 1981, when he moved to Richmond, VA. Retirement allowed him to snowbird between Ocala, Florida and New York for many years. He settled in Malone, NY, in 2008, until the passing of his wife, Helen Arnold, in 2021. He then moved to Vestal, NY, to be close to his daughter. He was a proud Army veteran of World War II, having altered his birth certificate, at the age of 16, to serve his country with the occupation troops in Austria. He later joined the Army National Guard, where he was Acting First Sergeant of the Rome Company. He graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1950 and then obtained a Horticulture Degree from Morrisville College, a subject which remained an interest for the rest of his life. He later went on to earn an Engineering Degree from Mohawk Valley Technical Institute. Don was employed by the Research Center of Revere Copper & Brass, in Rome, NY, for 28 years, retiring in 1981 as Technical Manager of the Applied Technical Department. He then worked for Reynolds Metal International and Reynolds Research, in Richmond, VA, for ten years, retiring as Senior Tribology Specialist in 1991. During his career, he served as a member of the American Standard Technical Committee, Food and Drug Administration and American Society of Lubrication Engineers, as well as Committee Chairman and Associate Editor of ASLE publications. His work took him to over one hundred manufacturing plants worldwide where he met many people and made wonderful friends.

Community service was also important to Don. In 1959, he was elected Supervisor in the Town of Annsville, NY, later becoming a member of the Oneida County Board of Supervisors. He was a charter member of the Blossvale Volunteer Fire Department and Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association. When retirement took him to Florida, he served on the Marion County Volunteer & Fire Rescue Squad. He was a member of the American Legion, Amvets and Elks Lodge.

In addition to parents and his wife, Helen Arnold, of Malone, NY, he was predeceased by his second wife, Marie Bradshaw McCormick Greene, of Chateaugay, NY; and his first wife, the mother of his children, Elda Jones Dickinson, of Rome, NY. Also passing before him were his sisters, Esther Duerr and Ernestine Regetz; nephews, John Duerr and Robert Regetz; stepsons, Greg McCormick and David McCormick; and son-in-law, Pete Calandra.

He is survived by his daughters, Donna (Jeff) Converse, of Johnson City, NY and Mary Jo (Paul) Lakomski, of Phoenix, NY; stepchildren, Tom (Stephanie Leffler) Arnold, of Malone, NY, Dan (Claire) Arnold, of Malone, NY, Lorraine McCormick (Richard Hoey), of Rome, NY, Rose (Dave) Roberts, of Endwell, NY and Kathy (Tom) McRae, of Charlotte, NC; stepdaughters-in-law, Sue McCormick and Angie McCormick; and sister, Sandra Greene. Don was very proud of the accomplishments of his grandchildren, Laura Converse (Chris Libera), Chelsey (Greg) Korhonen, Nicholas Lakomski, Alex Lakomski, Josh Arnold, Luke (Kayla Allen) Arnold, Hannah Arnold, Brock (Erica) Arnold, Samantha Arnold, Robert Arnold, Jason (Amy) Calandra, Tara McCormick, Christy McCormick, Matthew (Rebecca) Roberts, Jennifer (Nick) Connelly, Mark (Amanda) Roberts, David (Laura Graf), Lauren McRae, Danielle McRae, Erin McRae, Jerrod McMillen and Rhiannon McCormick. He was also blessed with 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews have been the benefactors of his advice and wisdom, Dick Duerr, Dave (Kathy) Duerr, Esther Duerr, Cynthia (Bill) Regetz Caloisio, Mary (Jim) Koch, Pat Strassner, Don (Gracia) Regetz, Gerry (Vicki) Regetz and John (Sue) Regetz.

Don enjoyed the outdoors whether he was hunting, fishing, camping, watching the sunset or smoking a cigar while mowing the grass. He loved traveling, gardening, genealogy, woodworking, playing cards and sipping his four o'clock Scotch. Time with family and friends, on the St. Lawrence River, Lake Titus and in Ocala forged his very best memories. He always had a story to tell and he will be missed by so many.

He enjoyed nothing more than a good party, so there will be a Celebration of Life at our gathering spot, in Cape Vincent, this spring, followed by interment at Rome Cemetery in Rome, NY.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Centenary Methodist Church, 345 W. Main Street, Malone, NY 12953 or The UHS Foundation Palliative Care Unit in support of the compassionate people who guided Don during his final journey. Checks can be made payable to the UHS Foundation PCU, 10-42 Mitchell Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903. Gifts can also be made online at www.nyuhs.org/give-back.