Donald "Don" Short

Donald “Don” Short of Brooktondale, NY, was born January 29, 1947 in Endicott Hospital to Howard and Lois (Mikels) Short. He passed away peacefully in his home on June 21, 2023.

Don lived a life focused on family and service. He was an honored Vietnam Veteran, a Director of NYS Fire Commissioners, a volunteer firefighter, a skilled woodworker and craftsman, a devoted husband to his wife of 46 years, Sylvia (Alfreds), and a deeply loved and equally loving father to five children: Donald “Donnie” Short (Allison), Jack Short (Valerie), Ronald “Ronnie” Short, Sarah June Davis (Christopher), and MaryBeth Short Crissman (Jim). He found his joy cooking chicken for the many family gatherings and Labor Day parties that he and Sylvia hosted each year as well as travelling when he was able and sharing his love of Gene Watson and the Statler Brothers with his children and grandchildren; Corey, Samantha, Gabriel, Derek, Spencer, Kiersten, Leah, Kyra, and James.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Judy, Nelda, and twin sister Darlene as well as his older brother Jack. He is survived by his brothers James and Paul (Debbie), a very special niece Jennifer, and many more nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will celebrate Don’s life from 1-4pm on Saturday, June 24th at 65 Creamery Rd, Brooktondale. An honor guard and 21-gun salute will be held at 2pm. Memorials can be directed to Hospicare of Ithaca.