Obituary of Donald R. Mitchell

Donald Richard Mitchell Vestal: Donald Richard Mitchell passed peacefully at his Vestal home on Saturday, September 1, 2012, following a brief illness. Don is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of 44 years; and his three sons, Jeffrey and James of Phoenix, AZ, David and his daughter-in-law, Kristen Mitchell and the Apple of his Eye, his granddaughter, Lauren of Apalachin, NY; his mother, Mildred Mitchell and his brother, Wayne Mitchell of Waymart, PA; many nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Suzanne Mitchell of Vestal, NY. Don is predeceased by his father, Stanley Timothy Mitchell; his brother, William Mitchell; and sisters, Martine Manger and Marilyn Urban. Don was born on March 23, 1944 in Binghamton, NY. He spent his boyhood in Forest City, PA and is a 1962 graduate of Waymart High School in PA, where he helped run the family business, SM Mitchell's Groceries. Don proudly served in the US Army from 1962 to 1965. He often regaled about being in "The Big One". Of course, he was referring to The Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964. In 1965 he served in the Dominican Republic during their Revolution. Don was employed by IBM Endicott from 1966 to 1992 when he retired as a Senior Systems Analyst where he was on "the leading edge of technology", as he liked to put it. He excelled as an athlete playing softball, basketball and bowling at the IBM Country Club until his boys were old enough to play youth sports. Don was happily involved in Youth Organizations in Vestal for over twenty years. He coached Vestal Junior Baseball League (VJBL), Vestal Youth Basketball Organization (VYBO), and was a Player Agent and coach with Vestal Little League. He also served as a Board Member of the Vestal Senior Baseball League, where he was a prime figure in helping develop the new field and organization at Arnold Park. In addition to sports, he was actively involved in Cub Scout Pack 243 serving as Treasurer. Don, as most people knew, was a longtime New York Giants football and Yankees baseball fan. He and his brother, Wayne, grew up going to Yankee Stadium, which included the 1956 World Series Perfect Game pitched by Don Larson. Don and Ruth loved Sagamore Beach, MA, where they vacationed twice a year on Cape Cod Bay. He took joy in simple things: the sky, the surf and sand, the sea birds and the sea glass and sand dollars he searched for and collected. Don took pride in his three sons and encouraged them to do always do their best in all things. Participating in their activities, however, did not include dance recitals and tea parties, until he became a grandfather to a little girl he adored. Don was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Ruth. He was a splendid father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was a kind, fun-loving, compassionate man who loved children, nature, and his family most. Those who got to know Don Mitchell were better for having met him. He will be immeasurably missed. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 6th, 4-7 p.m. at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal, NY. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at The Vestal Park Cemetery behind The Vestal United Methodist Church, where he was a member. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Cancer Society.