Dr. Stephen James Donachie

Dr. Stephen James Donachie of New Hartford, New York passed away at his home on November 30, 2011. He was 72. Born in 1939 to Matthew and Viola Huber Donachie, Steve grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts. After graduating from Holyoke High School in 1957, Steve attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He received his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees from RPI. Steve's passion was metallurgy. Starting his career at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp, he then worked for International Nickel Company Research Laboratory in Sterling Forest, New York for fifteen years. In 1985, he joined Special Metals Corporation where he worked until his retirement several years ago. Steve was recognized for his expertise in the area of melting of superalloys for wrought applications. He held a number of patents, was a Life Member of the ASM International, and co-authored several technical publications, including the text Superalloys: A Technical Guide (second edition). Steve and wife Cynthia settled in New Windsor, New York. He was particularly fond of spending time with his children and enjoyed regular family outings in the greater Hudson Valley. Steve served over twelve years as a member and president of the Newburgh School District Board of Education. He was proud of his role in helping to create the district's system of magnet schools. Steve also became a devoted soccer player and coach. Exposed to the game in his thirties, he actively played into his fifties and coached numerous youth teams in New Windsor and New Hartford. In New Hartford, Steve developed an interest in kayaking, and he and Cynthia spent many pleasant hours paddling the Adirondacks. Work responsibilities facilitated the pursuit of another interest: travel. Adept at navigation, Steve relished his trips to Europe, across the US, and annual vacations in the Caribbean. Of special significance were trips to his ancestral homeland in the Scottish Highlands. Steve's other interests included military history, model soldiers, bird watching, photography, and the sea. He derived great enjoyment from his work as a literacy volunteer for the Utica School District and Literacy Volunteers of America. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family and grandchildren, especially summers in Chatham, Cape Cod. Steve is survived by his wife of forty seven-years, Cynthia Donachie of New Hartford; children, Stephen and wife Wendy of Montgomery, NY; Susan D'Angelo and her husband Drew of Liverpool; and Robert Donachie of New Hartford; grandchildren, Joshua and Andrew D'Angelo and Kayleigh and Brennan Donachie; a brother, Matthew Donachie and his wife Martha of Winchester, NH; and a sister, Anne Speicher and her husband Bob of Mt. Airy, MD and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be on Saturday, December 10 at 2:30 at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. Calling hours will be from 1:00 to 2:30 prior to the service. The family would like to invite family and friends to offer special memories and thoughts as part of Saturday's service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charity of your choice in memory of Steve. For online expression of sympathy go to www.dfwefh.com