Donald G. Schoonmaker, 65, U.S. Navy Veteran
Donald G. Schoonmaker, 65, of Elyria passed away on Monday, November 16, 2015 at his home, surrounded by family, following a brief illness.
Don was born in Albany, NY on September 10, 1950. He was a graduate of Troy High School in Troy, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War earning a Federal Certificate of Nursing from the Albany, NY V.A. Hospital.
After 26 years of loyal service as a logistics clerk at Golub Corp./Price Chopper Supermarkets in Rotterdam, NY, Don chose to retire on April 1, 2004 in order to move to Ohio to be near the family of his wife, Sandra. He then worked at Kuehne and Nagel Freight Forwarding Service in Sheffield Village.
Don was the founder and President of the Unicorn Children’s Fund, Inc., based in Schenectady, NY, of which he was recognized in the Who’s Who of Schenectady and also received numerous awards for his selfless contributions to the community. Upon moving to Ohio he was a member of Amvet's Post 22 in Vermilion and a volunteer at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Amherst.
Don could spend all day detailing his cars and caring for his beloved dogs, Gracie Joy and Tuck. He always found enjoyment in detailing cars, attending local car shows- proudly displaying his immaculate 2002 Trans Am, his flower garden and reading. He also enjoyed baking and was known for his Irish Soda Bread and Snickerdoodles. Don will be remembered as a humble man with a huge heart and a cup of coffee, always willing to help friends, family, and strangers in need.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 15 years, Sandra Hirst Schoonmaker; step daughters, Tabetha J. (Bryan Deal) Rivera of Amherst and Holly R. (Josh) Weisenberger of Collins; step grandchildren: Jordan Rivera, Briana Rivera, Angelina Rivera, Danielle Rivera, Brendan Oswalt, J. J. Weisenberger, and Liberty Weisenberger; sister Alice (Claude) Sawyer of Rotterdam, NY; niece Laura (Ted) Inglis, nephew Claude (Tracy) Sawyer, great nephews Jacob, Ryan, and Will all in NY; and his in-laws George & Dolores Hirst of Lorain.
Memorial Services will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 515 N. Leavitt Rd., Amherst, OH, with Rev. Jenni Walker Noyes and Rev. Sandra Hirst Schoonmaker officiating. The family will be returning Don to the mountains in New York in early spring just as Don always wanted.
The family suggests that contributions may be made in Don’s memory to organizations close to his heart, including a local animal shelter; Akron Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Oncology; Heritage Presbyterian Church; or, in lieu of monetary contributions or flowers, a random act of kindness in Don’s memory for someone in need.
Arrangements are being handled by Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.