John Donlon

Clifton Park, NY-John Cornelius Donlon passed away on February 24, 2026. John was born on August 18,1959 in Binghamton, NY. He was a graduate of Maine Endwell High School, and he continued his education at Broome Community College. John spent over 30 years working as an Environmental Engineering Technician at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). During his time at DEC, John performed many field operations involving water and sediment sampling along with operating various DEC boats and sampling vehicles. John did not shy away from challenging sampling scenarios, instead devising ways to build or modify various sampling apparatus to successfully collect difficult, but critical, samples. John used his ingenuity to build 18 Trace Organic Platform Samplers to concentrate pollutants from hundreds of liters of water and even investigated toxic chemicals released by the destruction of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11. He became a certified scuba diver in order to perform much needed diving studies for the Lakes Research Section. In addition to his professional responsibilities, John took on the role as a PEF Union Steward, representing the interests of his fellow employees.

Outside of work, John brought his engineering knowledge to the aid of his friends. Whether helping to build a deck or retrofitting an old house with a new heating system, John was always there to help. An avid boater, ice skater, cyclist and car enthusiast, John enjoyed navigating on the water, ice, bike lanes and highways. He loved classic cars like his 1977 Corvette Stingray, later finding new joy in smaller electric cars that helped preserve the environment he spent his career protecting and preserving. There wasn't a car built (whether gas, electric or hybrid) that John couldn't discuss in detail. Spending quality time with his close friends, from those early years of playing on the DEC co-ed (DECON) softball team, to monthly lunches and outings in retirement, John forged strong relationships and will be missed by many.

John is survived by his brother Patrick Donlon, and his wife, Jean Donlon; his sister Eileen Wheelock; his niece Laurie Wheelock and his nephew James Wheelock. John is predeceased by his parents Elizabeth "Betty" Donlon, and Cornellius Donlon, his brother Michael Donlon, and his nephew Robert Wheelock.

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, there will be visitation from 4-6pm at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, N.Y. 12206 with a short Prayer Service at 5:00 pm. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only.

To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's honor to the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) online at foundation.pbs.org/donation or by check to the PBS Foundation, 1225 South Clark Street, Arlington, VA 22202.