Kirk Personius, 59, of Etna passed away peacefully on July 26, 2013 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Don was born on Halloween, October 31, 1953, the son of Beatrice E. Lower of Ithaca, and Donald L. Personius of Freeville. Don graduated from Ithaca High School and spent several years in the banking industry as Bank Manager/Assistant Cashier of the Tioga State Bank in Newfield and Spencer, New York.
Donald Kirk Personius, 59, of Etna passed away peacefully on July 26, 2013 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Don was born on Halloween, October 31, 1953, the son of Beatrice E. Lower of Ithaca, and Donald L. Personius of Freeville. Don graduated from Ithaca High School and spent several years in the banking industry as Bank Manager/Assistant Cashier of the Tioga State Bank in Newfield and Spencer, New York.
He left the banking industry to start a career at Cornell University, working for more than 24 1/2 dedicated years in Development, Information Services and most recently, the Cornell Feline Health Center. Don with his father and brothers were founding members of Car Pride, a local car club started in 1994. He also was a member of the Ithaca Moose Club. Don loved classic cars and was the proud owner of several, most recently a 1967 Firebird and 1971 Ranchero. He enjoyed attending car shows with his family members and friends. He especially looked forward to travelling to Spring and Fall Carlisle events each year with his Carlisle friends whom he considered family. He also was an avid NY Giants fan and a coffee fanatic. Don will be remembered by his family and an extraordinary number of friends as a generous, giving and caring individual. He was known to help anyone in need and always put the needs of others before his own. Even in death, he will be helping others with cancer research at Roswell Park. He will be sorely missed by his loving family and all who knew him.
He is survived by his parents; a son, Timothy Kirk Personius of Ithaca; siblings, Sharon (David) Cudlin, Rick Personius and Thomas (Susan Kennedy) Personius, three step siblings, Liane Delong, Norine Jarrell and William Delong. Don is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Henry and Beatrice Lower, paternal grandparents, Bradford and Mary Personius, stepmother Joyce Personius, several aunts, uncles, cousins and two best friends, Smitty and Woody. He also leaves behind “the boys,” his two cherished cats, Mewser and Tangerine, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Friday, August 2nd at 4:00 PM at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, NY. A celebration of Don’s life will be held immediately following the memorial service at the Dryden VFW, 2272 Dryden Road, Dryden, NY. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family at Quick Cemetery in Brooktondale.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Don’s memory to the Cornell Feline Health Center, 235 Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Perkins Funeral Home. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com
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