Donald F. "Skip" Fox

Donald F. Fox, (Skip) age 88, of Freeville, NY passed away at home following a long life in Freeville, NY, on Friday, January 17, 2020.
Born March 21, 1931 in Lackawanna, NY he was the son of the late Donald and Ethel Allen Fox. Don received his BS from SUNY Cortland and started his career as Recreation Director at Susquehanna Valley Home in Binghamton, NY. In 1967 Don moved to Freeville when he became Recreation Director at George Junior Republic. Through the years, he was promoted to various positions, retiring in 1993 as the Human Resources Manager.

Don is survived by his sons, Matthew Fox of Binghamton, NY, Christopher (Susan) Fox of McLean, NY, Benjamin (Jennifer) Fox of Harford, NY, his daughter, Sarah (Jorge Eller) Dayton of Manlius, NY; his first wife, Deborah Combs Fox of Freeville, NY; 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; brother, Jack (Grace) Fox of Rochester, NY; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he was predeceased by his grandson, George Quinlan Fox in 2007; by his daughter, Deborah Robin Fox in 2011; brothers, Robert Fox and Michael David Fox; and longtime  companion Margaret Parmley.

He instilled a love of the outdoors, in local parks, the Adirondack mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean during countless camping trips, fitting his family of seven in a tiny tent. He never hesitated to look under a rock, wade into a stream, or hold a salamander for his children to explore. His financial accounting skills were legendary, and his detailed notebooks of the family’s expenditures give a window into the 1960’s such as $1.30 paid to a baby-sitter for his five children or how many therms of gas were used to heat the house on any given day from 1964 to 2020. He told his family many times, how a college professor told him he had done very well for a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. He was proud that he and his three brothers were all college graduates, despite being abandoned by their mother at a young age and raised by their grandmother Harriet Allen, affectionately known as “Othermother.”

Skip was an avid golfer and a member at Elm Tree Golf Course for many years, where he served as Secretary of the men’s league. During his many years of golfing, he won or placed well in numerous golf tournaments and hit 3 holes in one on the Elm Tree Golf Course. He most recently held a membership at Stonehedges Golf Course where he achieved his last hole in one in 2010, on the first day back on the course after winning a battle with lung cancer. He participated in the “The Flynn” golf tournament with his many golf buddies and partnered with his son Chris. Margaret introduced him to downhill skiing, and a winter hobby began. He enjoyed traveling and skiing various slopes in the US and abroad with Margaret, and many ski trips to Vermont with his son Ben. He enjoyed family gatherings with his and Margaret’s families, and was lovingly known as “Boppie” by all his and Margaret’s grandchildren and his great grandchildren.
We will all truly miss him. Donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society. At Don’s request there will be no services or calling hours.