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Donald Van Lare Obituary
Rush: Passed away peacefully after a brief illness on December 15, 2013 at age 77. Predeceased by his parents State Senator Frank and Dorothy Harward Van Lare, he is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Diane (Michalke) Van Lare; sons David of Henrietta, Douglas (Amy) of Jamestown NC, and Daniel (Lisa) of Phoenix AZ; his cherished granddaughter Alexandra; brothers-in-law James (Paula) and John Michalke; several nephews and cousins.
A United States Navy veteran, Don was a career social studies teacher in the Rush-Henrietta CSD and an adjunct professor at MCC and GCC. He served as member and chairman of the Rush Town Zoning Board of Appeals, as treasurer of the Rush-Henrietta food cupboard, as board member of NYSUT retirement council, and previously as Rush Republican Town Leader. He loved and faithfully served his God, family, country, and community.
Calling hours will be Friday, December 27th from 3 to 7 pm at the Merton H. Kays Funeral Home Inc., 59 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls, NY. Please join the family for a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, December 28th at 1pm at Rush United Methodist Church, 6200 Rush-Lima Road, Rush, NY. Contributions may be made to RHAFT (Rush-Henrietta Area Food Terminal) or FISH (Friends and Service Here), to Rush United Methodist Church Education or Music Ministries, or to a charity of choice. To light a candle in remembrance of Don, please visit www.mertonkaysfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Van Lare
Pat (Wilson) Lafleur
January 3, 2014
Dear Van Lare Family,
I,m so very sorry to hear about Mr. Van Lare. He was my Social Studies teacher at Sperry in the 1973-74 school year. I'll always remember him for his kindness, humor, love of history, and gift of teaching. Anyone who was lucky enough to have him for a teacher learned a great deal! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Take care,
Pat (Wilson) Lafleur
Gerald Kosse
December 28, 2013
I was fortunate to know Don for the past 12 years. He could be stern. He was always factual, dependable. Don was one of the few people I've known in my lifetime who would always opine in the same way no matter the personalities or the politics involved. I always knew where Don stood. He did not check the weather before taking a stand. He truly was an old time faithful and dependable gentleman. I hope you play golf everyday for eternity, Don.
Larry Emond
December 27, 2013
I always enjoyed our friendship as fellow teachers since 1962, especially your inside knowledge of state politics and your sense of humor. It was always nice on the job to have you around. I also always admired your commitment to involvement in civic and educational matters. We will miss you very much.
Bob Marinetti
December 26, 2013
There is so much to honor and remember about Don. I remember his humor,his kindness, his devotion to his family, his students and his community. I join his many friends who will miss him.
Julie Caldwell(Sce)
December 23, 2013
Dan, So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
mark David
December 23, 2013
Don,
I only wish I would have told you before your passing, how much I really appreciated you! You were my high school homeroom teacher as well as social studies 10th or 11th grade (don't remember which-Haha the 80's were a fine time)? Always looked forward to talking with you in the mornings before classes began, you had a ton of wisdom mixed in with your usually political/family humor. Later in life I was again blessed to see and chat with you on a fairly regular basis at the Town Hall, once again, the same thinking, companionate and caring man I had met years before. –R.I.P. Don, Thanks again for your commitment to community service.
Mark David
December 23, 2013
Don,
I only wish I would have told you before your passing, how much I really appreciated you! You were my high school homeroom teacher as well as social studies 10th or 11th grade (don't remember wich-Haha)? Always looked forward to talking with you in the mornings before classes began, you had a ton of wisdom mixed in with your usually political humor. Later in life I was again blessed to see and chat with you on a fairly regular basis at the Town Hall, once again, the same thinking, compassionate and caring man I had met years before. –R.I.P.
December 23, 2013
Diane and family, I just read of Don's passing. I always appreciated Don's sense of humor, his passion for education and American History, and his support for the Arts. My thoughts are with you during this sad time.
Jerry Ryan
December 22, 2013
a respected colleague who made a difference with his life
December 22, 2013
The class I always looked forward to attending. Mr. VanLare always made teaching History class interesting. I would run into Don from time to time and even 40/yrs later he still remembered me. A great Teacher and friend I will NEVER forget. My sympathy to his entire family.
Kevin Hoock
December 22, 2013
I worked with Don for many years at Rush-Henrietta. Fond memories. God bless you all. Kay Mowson
Debbie McClarin
December 22, 2013
Mr. Van Lare was a special teacher in my high school years at Roth. He challenged us to think outside of our small, sheltered world. Class was always enjoyable.
December 22, 2013
Dear Diane,
I worked with Don on NYSUT RC#6 Executive Council. We had good discussions on current politics and on past politics, as I remembered his dad, Sen. Frank Van Lare. I spent many summers at City Hall Annex working on Youth Week. I will miss Don and his on the mark attitude at our RC#6 NYSUT meetings. Dianne Herrick
Marsha Reynolds (Miller)
December 22, 2013
So sad to hear this news... Thank you Mr. Van Lare for all of my great social studies memories! You were one of the greatest teachers! My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jeff Scheuer
December 22, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Mr. Van Lare's enthusiasm and sense of humor were always evident to his students.
Jessie and Rick Lazeroff
December 22, 2013
We were deeply saddened to hear of Don's recent illness and passing. We both enjoyed working with Don. He was a thoroughly good and decent man. He dedicated his life to his family, students, friends and community. He will be greatly missed.
December 22, 2013
Mr. VanLare…a great teacher who made a huge difference in the lives of his students. May wonderful memories comfort you at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Deb Pratt-Farese
Roth Class of 1981
Liz C.
December 21, 2013
Blessings and prayers to your family...he was my teacher so many years ago....so sorry for your loss
Christine (Smith) Burnell
December 21, 2013
I will always remember Mr. van Lare's dry sense of humor. You could always tell who was paying attention in his class because we were the ones laughing at his comments. He is one of the teachers I remember from over 30 years ago. My deepest sympathy for his family and friends.
Jodi (Fisher) Bogart
December 21, 2013
RIP, Mr. Van Lare.
Jim DeCamp
December 21, 2013
Dear Diane and boys, Don will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him
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Merton H Kays Funeral Home, Inc.59 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472
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