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BORN
1939
DIED
2024
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Donald Radcliff Obituary
January 30, 1939 - September 24, 2024
AURORA - Donald "Donnie" W. Radcliff of Aurora, NY, passed away September 24, 2024 after a brief illness.
He was born on January 30, 1939, to Robert Radcliffe and Hazel (Snyder) Radcliffe, the 2nd to youngest of 7 siblings. Don graduated from Sherwood Select Schools in 1958.
Donnie started work early at the age of 14 when he began his long career at Wells College. He spent the majority of his 52 years at the college as the Head Electrician. He loved working there and was loved by so many that often times he would make house calls for electrical issues on the weekends, never expecting anything in return.
Donnie served eight years in the National Guard and during that time took part in being deployed to Rochester during the riots in 1964.
If there was a joke to be told, Donnie was usually the one telling it. He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He was a good husband, father, and friend. A very giving soul that would help anyone.
Donnie loved working in his vegetable garden and liked his lawn neat and tidy. You'd often find him tinkering in his garage on this or that and he could fix just about anything. He was a stained-glass artist and taught classes for a short time.
When his children were little, he loved taking everyone camping in the Adirondacks, Catskills, or Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Fishing off the Wells College Boathouse dock with his children was a typical family outing.
Donnie met Georgia Ann Brambley in the late 50's and they were married on August 20, 1960, just celebrating their 64th Anniversary last month.
Donnie was predeceased by his brothers, Karl, Bud, Charlie, Jim, Frank, and his grandson, Kevin Watkins. He is survived by his wife, of 64 years, Georgia; a son, Tim (Diana) Radcliff; daughter, Lori (Richard) Radcliff-Woods; sister, Marie Fenner; his beloved Boston, Tesla; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Brew Funeral Home, 48 South Street, Auburn with a memorial service to follow at 4:00 PM.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Radcliff
Sponsored by Brew Funeral Home - Auburn.
Karin
September 20, 2025
I had not realized that Donnie passed on my 60th birthday; I would have remembered him anyway, but now I will also always remember the date. A year on, and I can't tell you how many times I wished he were still with us.
Suzanne Ondrus'97
February 18, 2025
I met Donnie when I worked as a student at Wells Maintenance. He was friendly. My condolences to his family!
Melissa Avery
October 4, 2024
So very to hear of your loss. He was a good man and my parents enjoyed visiting with him and your mom. He was a big part of the Wells 'family ' .Melissa (Porter) Avery.
Cynthia Jones
September 29, 2024
Georgia , Lori, Tim and Marie I am so sorry for the loss of Donny he was such a good man and he was a good friend to me and so many others always smiling and such a clever man with words and art he will be missed by so many I am so very sorry. Cindy Jones
Susan Forbes
September 27, 2024
Donnie was one of the kindest and most giving people I have known.
He would stop into Phipps Auditorium when we would be doing tech work on a production to see if there was anything he could do to help. We had some great conversations about all sorts of topics. I considered him a friend and not just a colleague.
Dan Mapstone
September 26, 2024
Donnie was one of the finest people I know. I enjoyed working with him at the college where he taught me a lot. We served in the fire department together. I always went to visit him at work when I returned to Aurora for a visit. My sympathy to the family. He will be greatly missed by many. I was always proud to call him my friend.
Doug Martin
September 26, 2024
Dear Georgia, Tim and Lori and families
I´m very sorry for your loss. Donnie was one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Mom and dad really enjoyed getting together with Donnie and Georgia. He was helpful getting mom and dad´s house ready for when we came up for the weekend. He always had a joke or funny story at the ready. He was a perpetually happy person and I´m sure that everyone who knew Donnie will deeply miss him.
Doug Martin and family
Pamela Schumacher
September 26, 2024
Georgia, Tim, and Lori,
So many happy memories! You two, Mom, and Dad had a lot of fun together. Donnie will be missed, so keep those happy memories close to your heart. Love you.
Pam Martin Schumacher
Karin Wikoff '86
September 26, 2024
Donnie was a dear friend and confident to me during a very hard time in my life. I am so sorry for the empty space his passing leaves in the lives of his family and all who loved him.
In October 1994, my family was were forced to move out of college housing (the farm house above the ball field - long story, not relevant here). We had been looking but the only place we could find that we could afford was a really crummy little place over at Fire Lane 25 on Lake Owasco.
On the morning of our first Thanksgiving in that house, we got up and prepared the stuffing, stuffed the bird, and went to put it in the oven -- only to find that the oven had died. I contacted Donnie by e-mail in case he had any ideas how to diagnose the problem. He said it sounded dead, but he had a spare range in his shop for which there were no plans.
In the middle of a serious blizzard, he drove down to Wells, got the range loaded in his van, and then drove all the way from Aurora to West Lake Rd (including that perilous hill on Center St), and then down our even more treacherous driveway to deliver and install the range in time for us to cook our turkey for Thanksgiving.
Because -- that's the kind of person Donnie was.
(Here's a photo from the 2002 Wells College Reunion)
Chris perkins_denman
September 26, 2024
I work.at well college for many years I loved talking with Donnie he was a great guy
I am so sorry to his wife and children.
May god look over you.he wii be missed
September 26, 2024
Donnie was a neighbor of mine when I was growing up on Dublin Hill with Louis and Margaret Nolan. He was always so kind, helpful,had a ..great sense of humor. If you could give an example of what a great neighbor would be, Donnie would be the best example.. My sister Maryann still is a neighbor of Donnie, Georgia, and their son Tim. You will be missed Donnie by so many.
Nan DiBello
September 25, 2024
It was always a pleasure to see Donnie during my years at Wells. He was always cordial, helpful, and good humored. I always smile when I think about Donnie. My sincere condolences to his family and friends - Donnie will be missed by all who knew him.
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