Donald (Don) Van Duyne, 88, of Wolcott, NY, passed away peacefully in his home on December 1, 2024, with family and friends by his side.

Don was born December 21, 1935, in South Butler, NY, the son of Florence (Pilbeam) Van Duyne and Ezra Van Duyne. He grew up on a small farm in South Butler, NY, where his family grew crops and raised livestock. Don graduated from Wolcott High School in 1953. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and served three years of active duty and three years in the reserves. He received an honorary discharge at the rank of Sargent. Don took great pride in his service to our country. Don married Geraldine (Gerry) May on January 22, 1960, in a small ceremony held in Syracuse, NY. For their honeymoon, Don and Gerry threshed beans at the family farm in South Butler. What followed was 64 years of unwavering love and devotion. Don and Gerry had three children: Gregory, age 63, Lynne
Anne (Sweet), 58, and Glenn, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 60 in April of this year. Don adored his four grandchildren, Geoffrey, 29, Dylan, 28, Claire 24, and Russell, 21.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Don worked in the pipeline construction business, starting with the C.N. Flagg Co. and retiring 30 years later in 1995 with Over & Under Co. He laid pipe that carried water, gas, steam, and sewer throughout New York State and often traveled out of state when required. Don has been a member of the South Butler Fire Department since 1954. Don loved music and he enjoyed watching football and college basketball. His favorite activities, however, were outdoors. For many years, Don maintained a large vegetable garden and took pride in the many dozens of quarts of tomatoes that would be canned in late summer. He loved caring for his lawn and spent countless hours on the riding mower between the months of April and November. Don also loved his dogs. After several years of raising German shepherds, Don had black labs, then an English bulldog, and most recently a golden retriever. He played with the dogs constantly and they would follow him wherever he went. Don was raised in a large family, with eight children. Remaining to cherish his memory is his sister Alice Amoia.

Preceding him in death are his sisters Helen Van Duyne, Bertha Canolesio, Margery Marsden, and Flossie Hixon, and his brothers Mickey and Wally. He was close to his brothers and sisters and visited them often.

Visitation will be held December 5 at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Faith United Methodist Church, 12223 Oswego St, Wolcott, NY. A service will be held at 1:00 pm at the same location, with burial to follow in the Butler-Savannah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Don's memory to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, at stjude.org/donations.
Online condolences may be shared at www.catoredcreek.com