Donald Norman Dear's Obituary
Donald Norman Dear, 96, of Liverpool, passed away peacefully at Crouse Hospital surrounded by his loving daughters. He was born to the late David and Mary (Schill) Dear and graduated from North Syracuse High School where he lettered in Track and Field. Don was drafted into the US Army for World War 2 but dodged the security guard at the induction center to enlist in the United States Navy; he then served with distinction in the South Pacific Theatre as a radioman / gunner on a PBM long range reconnaissance and patrol bomber. He was Honorably discharged and began a career at General Electric Company and retired as a Configuration Control Specialist in the Engineering Department. Don was a lifetime member of the Pastimes Athletic Club and an avid golfer and bowler; he was recognized by the American Bowling Association for rolling a perfect 300 game in match play. He enjoyed listening to Bluegrass music and was a Past President for the Central New York Bluegrass Association. Affectionally known as the Mayor of Pitcher Hill, he was a pioneer in his community, heading a neighborhood watch initiative on Dolores Terrace South in North Syracuse.
He enjoyed a beautiful and loving marriage to his wife, Therese who passed away in 1997. Don was also predeceased by his brother, Russell Dear of Florida.
He is survived by his children, Anne Humphrey of Torrington, CT, Donald M. (Beth) Dear of Chandler, AZ, Joan (Claude) Dear-Houseman of Chittenango, NY and James (Jen) Dear of Scottsdale, AZ; four loving granddaughters, Lauren (Adam) Battersby of Norwalk, CT, Lindsay (Christopher) Collette of Morris, CT, Chloe Houseman of Philadelphia, PA and Alison Houseman of Atlanta, GA; two great-grandchildren, AJ and Evelyn Battersby.
A private funeral mass was celebrated in St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in Lyncourt. He was laid to rest with his wife, Therese at Woodlawn Cemetery.
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