Donald Warren Payne, Jr.

Donald W. Payne, Jr., 61, of Shrewsbury, MA and formerly of Dryden, NY, passed away on Dec. 26, 2018 as the result of a motor vehicle accident. He was born April 10, 1957 in Auburn, NY.
Growing up, Don’s family moved around New York State before settling in Dryden, where Don graduated from Dryden Jr.-Sr. High School in 1975. As a teenager, he was a Boy Scout earning the rank of Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Don had a natural talent for thinking logically and mechanically. Nothing was a challenge for him. If he wanted to learn something, he did.
Don was employed with GE Intelligent Platforms as a Senior Software Engineer. Outside of work he was an excellent cook, master candy maker, and pyrotechnic enthusiast. He enjoyed being a DJ and spending time with his friends, whom he cared for and mentored.
Don was predeceased by his grandparents and father, Donald W. Payne. Survivors include his mother, Aiden E. Payne; brothers, William H. Payne (Lisa) and Thomas J. Payne (Annette) along with his niece, Allison K. Payne and nephew, Benjamin P. Payne. He is also survived by his former wife, Georgette (Bergh) Payne, many cousins, and friends. We will all miss him very much.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main Street in Dryden, NY. A reception for family and friends will be held from 1-4pm at the Dryden VFW, 2272 Dryden Road, Dryden, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard, PO Box 42, Dryden, NY 13053, or to the Southworth Library, PO Box 45, Dryden, NY 13053.
The family will be planning a celebration of life later in the spring near Don’s Massachusetts’ home.