Donald J. Ten Kate

Donald James Ten Kate , age 55, of 235 Wood Road, Freeville, NY passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at Cayuga Medical Center of Ithaca.

Born March 5, 1953 in Quantico, VA, he is the son of Donald and Jeanne Hornstra Ten Kate, who survive. Donald was married to Nancy Babcock on June 2, 1973 in Midland Park, NJ. Don owned a landscaping business in NJ before moving to a small farm in Freeville in 1981. He worked on his aunt and uncle’s (John and Hummy VanDeWeert) dairy farm in Dryden, NY, for 5 years, and for the Town of Ithaca DPW for the past 22 years, most recently as a crew supervisor.

Don’s (Pake’s) granddaughters were the light of his life, and some of his happiest moments were taking them to Disney World and on camping trips. He loved being outdoors, farming, raising and caring for animals. He was an avid cyclist and a member of the Finger Lakes Cycling Club. He was a former elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a past fire chief and most recently on the board of directors of the Freeville Fire Department. He also volunteered with Dryden Ambulance.

In addition to his parents, Don is survived by his wife Nancy Ten Kate of Freeville; son and daughter-in-law Michael and LouAnne and granddaughters Caroline and Madeline, all of Virgil, NY; sisters Laurie Ten Kate and Kristen (James) Amos, all of Midland Park, NJ; father-in-law and mother-in-law Elmer and Jeannette Babcock of Mt. Holly Springs, PA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Marina Babcock of Midland Park, NJ; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mary and Edward Vooys of Mt. Holly Springs, PA; nieces and nephews Amy and Christopher, Ken and Kellie, Leah, Nancy, Heidi, Nathan, Anna and Jeremy. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Ten Kate.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, NY, with Rev. Alan Kinney officiating. Friends may call from 1 to 4 pm Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Don Ten Kate Memorial Fund, c/o the Town Clerk, Town of Ithaca, 215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 for a future park in Don’s honor. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com