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Donald Furnia Obituary
Don was born April 19, 1931, in Peasleeville at the home of his parents, George and Albina (LaMarche) Furnia, being the fifth of eight children.
Don married Shirley LaFountain on Dec. 11, 1954, and later served as a corporal in the Army, and upon his discharge, was employed at the J. & J. Rogers Paper Mill until its closure. Don was a devoted member of the Holy Name Church in AuSable Forks, where he served as caretaker for 40 years.
He enjoyed hunting, bowling and spending time with his grandchildren, who meant the world to him. Don was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2301 and American Legion Post 504 of AuSable Forks.
Survivors include Shirley, his wife of 55 years; his daughter, Jacqueline Furnia of Jay; and his two sons, Jeff (Bernice) Furnia of Rotterdam, and Brian Furnia of AuSable Forks. Don is also survived by his grandchildren, Tanya, Nick, Justin, Kayla and Teah, along with his step-grandchildren, Rachael, Joseph and Martin. Don is also survived by his brother, Richard (Roberta "Bertie) Furnia of AuSable Forks; and his two sisters, Lillian Rabideau and Edna Whyman, who both reside in Standish. Other survivors include his sister-in-laws, Eunice Frenyea, Martha Frenia, Harriet Furnia and Mary Morrisey; along with brother-in-laws, James, Tom and Bobby LaFountain; and several nieces and nephews. Lastly, Don leaves behind numerous other friends, along with a very special friend, Father Philip Allen.
Don was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Edmond, Clarence (Roland), Adrian and Norman (Bug).
Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 20, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home in AuSable Forks. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, with interment following in the Holy Family Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 504. Family and friends are invited to come to the American Legion Post 504 following the burial and join the family, where a luncheon will be served, and everyone is welcome to share their memories of Don.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Don's memory to Holy Name Church.
The Zaumetzer-Sprague Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.pressrepublican.com.
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Wesley & Verna Sheldrake
August 2, 2009
Shirley , and Family
We are so sad to hear of Don's passing , I am sure he is in God's hands . He was such a nice person and I will miss seeing him and his big smile in church . God Bless.You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Verna & Wes
Bob & Vicki Meconi
July 28, 2009
Dear Mrs Furnia, Jackie, Brain and Jeff,
I was so saddened to hear of your Dads passing. I can honestly say he was one of my favorite people, as I got to know him on many levels but it was in bowling I got to know him the best. For many years the Lanes had a tournament called King of the Hill. It was a one on one handicap tournament that was allot of fun and very competative. It just happened that almost every year I ended up having to go up against Don and I would have to give him allot of pins in handicap. Well every year he would not need them as he would bowl over 200, (in fact 245 one yr) every year and knock me out of the tournament. I never got passed him in 4 tries and we always had a good laugh. For many years after as he would always tell me that he didn't need any handicap to beat me.... and he didn't. :-) He was a wonderful man who always had a smile. was kind and always there to help. I am so sorry I was not able to make the wake as I would definitly had been there but had gone on vacation and got back to late. Vicki too wishes to give you all her condolences. Our thougthts and prayer are with you all.
John L. Snow
July 28, 2009
Dear Shirley and Family:
I live in the state of Michigan and was born in AuSable Forks, NY and I knew Don very good in fact went hunting with him and the boys at the farm in peaselyville, I'am so so sorry to hear of his passing, I will personally miss him as he was a true friend, May the God of heaven bless you and all you love.
Geno and Denise Potter
July 25, 2009
To the Furnia Family,
Our families and the community have lost a few good men within the last month and we feel your sorrow. May the love and support of your family and friends give you strength. God bless you and comfort you in knowing Don is in paradise with no pain or sorrow. He is surrounded by the love of Jesus and all those that have passed on before him. He is with my dad and Bob. Hold onto the hope of eternal life through our faith in Christ. With love and peace
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Patty Adams
July 22, 2009
Dear Shirley,Jackie,& family,I am so very sorry to hear about Don.Anything I can do just get in touch.
July 22, 2009
Dear Shirley & Family,
I am very sad to hear of your loss. Don is a kind man and always had a grin on his face. May the lord be with you in finding peace in his happy memories. God Bless.
Debbie (LaBombard)
Vickie Hart
July 21, 2009
Dear Shirley&Family,
May the memories and fun we have all had with Don be forever with us. You're all in our prayers.
Kevin & Vickie Hart
Rick and Linda Depo
July 21, 2009
Dear Shirley, Brian, Jackie and Jeff, Rick and I were very sorry to hear about Don's passing away. We are thinking of you during this time and hope that in time your pain will become less as your memories of Don grow deeper and stronger.
Leota Perkins
July 21, 2009
Dear Shirley and family My condolences to all of you in your loss. Don was a great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
John & Deanna Santor
July 21, 2009
Dear Shirley, Jackie, Brian and Jeff Our sincere sympathy to all of you in your loss of Don. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in our community. May your wonderful memories help you through the difficult days ahead.
Tammy Rick Bola
July 20, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sharon Furnia Gisclair
July 20, 2009
Our dearly beloved Uncle Donald,
Ironically, we are now here for you. Celebrating your life and what you meant to each and every one of us. You touched all our lives in different ways, but I’m certain we all can agree on one thing we will never forget….. and will always talk about… your sense of humor. That made you who you were.
Donald was a man who was very kind and generous, who would light up a room with his humor and anecdotes. You just couldn’t help but smile when he spoke to you.
Everyone knows Donald’s career involved being caretaker of Holy Name church, and that included caring for the cemetery. When we were teenagers, many of us got the chance to work at the cemetery during the summers. What amazing memories these are. One parent from the neighborhood would drive a carload of us kids down to the cemetery and drop us off with our water jugs and lunch pails for a days work. We would get our tasks assigned and would disburse in various areas around the cemetery. I remember carefully tip toeing over graves as not to disturb the resting and would carefully read the stones while weeding around each of them. We all couldn’t wait until lunch as we would gather at the top of the hill next to the shed and Uncle Donald would tell us stories. "Did anyone ever get murdered and buried here?" we would ask. “Why yes, let me tell you about it” he would say. It was story after story... each week. We couldn’t wait for lunch time because we knew we would hear a story about someone who passed on and left a fascinating legacy for him to share. It was so easy listening to him talk.
As we grew older, things did not change. I remember when Anna Nicole Smith passed away. I remember Uncle Donald telling me he was so relieved the DNA results of the paternity test was released. I asked why? he said, “Thank God, I am not the father after all.” He had us in laughing all the time.
The trademark of Donald Furnia is he always wanted to make people happy. All the memories we have shared with him will forever be cherished and remembered each in our way. This man was loved by all and will forever live in our hearts.
We love you my dearest Uncle Donald and thank you for all the memories. May you rest in peace.
Rick Nolan
July 20, 2009
Shirley, Jeff, Brian, Jackie and Families:
Don was a great man and he will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are will each of you.
Rick and Sue
P.K. & Val Coolidge
July 20, 2009
Shirley, Jeff, Brian and Jackie
Sorry to hear about Don, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Agnes, John & Jim Bombard
July 20, 2009
Dear Shirley and Family: We are deeply saddened by Don's passing. He was a good friend and always smiling. He was the best co-worker I ever worked with. Know that you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Kevin and Tammy Seguin
July 20, 2009
Dear Furnia family
So sorry to here about the loss of Don. He was a very special man he was a very hard worker and a great person.always working for the church. he will be missed very much.We heard he wasn't doing well when we were home on vac.and he will always be in our hearts and our prayers. god bless you all in your time on sadness.
Jessica Donah
July 20, 2009
Uncle Don-
My Uncle Donald was really a special man. He always could make me laugh no matter how sad I was. This past weekend I was with my Grandmother, Harriet Furnia (his sister-inlaw), and she told me stories. Wonderful stories about how Uncle Don would hire the kids to cut the grass at the graveyard...and how he made the kids take a thirty minute break after working for only ten minutes. She also told me that at her wedding to his brother (Bug, my grandfather) she felt somebody squeezing her hand. Being a nervous bride, she paid no attention. She figured it was my grandfather being romantic...then after about 10 min of squeezing she wispered to my grandfather..."are you ok? You keep squeezing"...just then she looked down, and it was UNCLE DON! He had been holding her hand the whole time, and she had no idea...this is the kind of guy he was. There is no other, for sure.
Last time I was at Holy Name church for his brother Ade's funeral...and I will never forget this for the rest of my life and beyond. He had a piece of string, and handed it to me so that I could play with it...In church (of course there was a preverted joke that came along with it, we will leave that alone:)!) He really was trying to help me feel better by taking my mind off the situation.
He will be missed, and I know, that he is resting peacefully now. He is up in heaven speaking french with his mother, my grandfather, and all of his other brothers. Finally free Uncle Donald. Rest in Peace until next time we meet.
Jean Pulsifer
July 20, 2009
Dear Shirley and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. My days at Holy Name School will not be the same without Don's hugs and chats. He will always hold a very special place in my heart and I take comfort in knowing we have one more angel looking over us from heaven. With love and hugs to all of you....
Joanne Nugent
July 20, 2009
Dear Shirley, Jeff, Brian and Jackie,
I was saddened to hear of Don's passing. He was a special man who always had a joke to tell. He was so wonderful about helping out when I was at Holy Name. He will be missed by many peole. Be sure that God has him close to his heart, as Don served him so well for so many years.
Love, Joanne Nugent
Margaret LaBombard
July 20, 2009
To The Furnia Family, We are very sorry for the loss of a very special guy. He will be missed very much. Don always had a smile and a hello for every one he came in contact with or a hug for close friends. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Russ &Pat Kelley
July 20, 2009
Shirley,Jackie,Jeff& Brian,we are so sorry to hear about Don. He was a good man & he worked hard.He will always be remembered,we will pray for you all.
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