David J. Lemery

David J. Lemery, 63, of Waterville, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with melanoma. For over 21 years he dealt with CLL which he had a bone marrow transplant for. He didn't complain and never gave up. His sense of humor helped him and everyone around him to enjoy every moment. He was born on February 5, 1962, in Hamilton, a son of the late John L. and Teresa A. (Reilly) Lemery. He graduated from Morrisville-Eaton High School, SUNY Brockport and received his master's degree from SUNY Cortland. He played football, basketball and baseball in high school. He was named to the Center State Conference all stars in football and baseball. He was the runner up of the Oneida Daily Dispatch athlete of year in 1980. He also played football at SUNY Brockport. On May 22, 1984, he married his high school sweetheart Lynne A. Nodell, in Morrisville. David was a physical education teacher at Waterville Central Schools for over 27 years until his retirement. He coached football for 6 years and boys basketball for 20 years here at Waterville Central School. He is the all time winningest coach in boys basketball at Waterville and was inducted to the Section III Basketball Hall of Fame. He had a such passion for coaching and enjoyed working with his players over the years. He loved fly fishing and you could find him catching trout in the local streams. Later in his life he was devoted to studying the Bible and helping people to know the Lord. He so enjoyed bringing his family and friends to Christ and sharing his love for Jesus. He spent many hours writing devotionals and preparing for Bible studies that he had in person and online. Out of all of his accomplishments his pride and joy were his love for God and his sons. He so enjoyed watching his boys grow up and was so proud of their accomplishments. His best role was being a father and now enjoyed watching his sons being fathers. He is survived by his wife, Lynne, his children, Michael D. (Chrissy) Lemery, of Schenectady, Mitchell J. (Dana Hogan) Lemery, of Waterville; grandsons, Camden Lemery and Van Hogan; his mother-in-law, Margaret Nodell, of E. Syracuse, his sisters, Deborah Smith, of Poolville, Gayle Lemery-Lutes, of Portland, OR., sister-in-law, Debra (James) Decker, of Morrisville, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Karen Murphy and his father-in-law, Kenneth Nodell. A Celebration of David's Life will be held at a date and time to be announced. Please check back on the Burgess and Tedesco Funeral Home website for further details. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413, or to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, online at bloodcancerunited.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville, NY 13480. To send a condolence online, please visit www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David, please visit our floral store.