Don was born in Binghamton, NY on December 6, 1934 the son of Donald E. and Emily “Louise” (Schouten) Monell. In his youth he lived in Binghamton and in the German and McDonough areas. On March 2, 1957 he married Cora (Franklin) Monell who survives. Don is also survived by his children Susie (Kenneth) Granger of Pharsalia, Peggy (Leonard) Monroe of Pharsalia, Linda Birmingham of Brewerton and Dennis (Charlotte) Symonds of Huntington, WV. Also surviving are his 15 grandchildren; Rebecca Granger – Wall, Heidi (Jerry) Norris, Kenneth (Danielle) Granger, Joshua (Amanda) and Matthew (Jenna) Monroe, Jeffrey (Sonya), Christopher (Traci), Cassandra and Courtney Bell, Kenneth “Jimmer” Birmingham, Cindy, Pauline, Tom and Paul Young and Denise Symonds, 23 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren and sister Florence “Pat” Hinman of Norwich.
Don was predeceased by his parents his brothers Kenneth Monell and Tom Matthews and a sister Emily “Lorraine” Schuemake.
Don worked for a short period of time for M.H.Fishman, Craine Silo and Ford Homes. He eventually worked for Bennett Ireland for 35 plus years and then for Champion Products where he often joked that “anywhere he ever worked went out of business. He spent most of his adult life in Pharsalia being a founding father and longtime member of the Pharsalia Volunteer Fire Company where he held various positions including fire police captain. Don was also a lifetime member of the Chenango County Fire Police Association and was voted Chenango County Fire Police In the year 2005. He served as fire police until health issues just made it impossible to continue.
In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being on the go touring in the car .He often would break out in song especially when someone would sing with him while on a road trip. He especially liked hymns, silly songs and songs of the 40’s and early 50’s era.
Probably his greatest asset was his uncanny ability to strike up a conversation a “gift of gab” so to speak. He never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with you. Don did not care if you were and executive of a corporation or a homeless person on the street. You would see him sitting on the park bench or standing on the street corner chatting away about any topic. He genuinely just enjoyed people. His constant faith in God and believing we were all members of God’s family and was probably the reason for his interest in everyone.
Don would do just about anything for anyone at any time even if it meant he had to go without. The family asks that all who read this add to Don’s legacy by taking the time to stop, talk to your neighbors, friends and even strangers on the street and lend a hand when you see someone in need. Take time to smell the roses.
A funeral service for Don will be held on Friday, July24, at 1:00 pm from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 11-1pm. Please observe the social distancing and face masks must be worn.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Pharsalia Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY 13758 or to a charity of your choice.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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