Donald Donny Schechter

Carl Donald "Donny" Schechter passed peacefully on May 4, 2015 in Alpharetta, Georgia, with his family by his side. He was 81. Donny was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the son of Harry and Tillie Schechter, and grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, NY, where he graduated from New Utrecht High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and saw combat in the Korean War aboard the USS Saipan (CVL-48) aircraft carrier. Donny married Rita (“Ricky”) Schechter (nee Friedland) in 1959 and they settled in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where they raised three boys who were well-known in and around the PS 206 schoolyard, which was the center of activity for their slice of the neighborhood. Donny drove a delivery truck for the NY Daily News for more than 40 years; he would leave for work about 10pm each night, and his return home in the middle of the next day was eagerly awaited by the Beach Chair Yentas on Ocean Ave., who were hoping for free newspapers. He rarely disappointed them. He was a proud member of the Newspaper and Mail Deliverers Union, joining his father, Harry Schechter, who was number one in seniority on the union list (and who presided over the poker games). He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ricky, who died in 2003 following her long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He died one day after what would have been their 56th wedding anniversary. Donny is survived by his three sons, Andrew (Stacey) Schechter of Alpharetta, Georgia; Joel (LeeAnn) Schechter of Naples, Florida; and Eric (Laura) Schechter of Verona, New Jersey; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three brothers, Lenny, Barry and Jeffrey Schechter. Donny loved bagels, bialys, Leon’s onion rolls, Nathan’s hot dogs, chow mein, Klondike Bars, licorice, the NY Yankees, the NY Football Giants, the NY Knicks (until they were “ruined by Isiah Thomas”) and, above all, a good parking space. He was well-known throughout Sheepshead Bay for his declaration that “Soup is the best part of the meal.” He was lesser known for making the best egg cream in the City. Arrangements are being handled by Arlington Funeral Home in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Donations in Donny’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the charity of one’s choice.