Obituary of Donald D. Seaver

On October 1st, 2015, Donald D. Seaver, Sr., left us to be with the love of his life of 64 years, Evelyn Belle Burns, who is in Heaven awaiting his arrival. He was born in 1930 on the family farm in Candor and was predeceased by his Mother and Father, Milo and Mildred Holland Seaver; sisters – Mary Ann, Genevieve “Penner” (William) Farnham and brother - Carl (Cathy) Seaver. He was also predeceased by his parents- in-law, a sister-in-law and six brothers-in-law. He is survived by three children and their spouses - Donna and Gary Zimmer, Donald “David” and Jody Seaver, Jr. and Pamela and Thomas Donovan, Jr.; three grandchildren - Terra and Mike Phelps; Thomas Donovan, III and Shawna Hollister; seven great-grandchildren - Tyler, Cooper, Garrett and Julianna Phelps, Quinton Hollister and Natalie and Mia Donovan. He is also survived by his sisters – Harriet (Jim) Keene, Christine (Herb) Bogart, Virginia (Howard) Miller, Dorothy and Bill Eichhorn and Phyllis (George) Clark. Also survived by three special sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He joined the Air Force in 1948 where he became a T/Sgt. and married Evelyn in December 1950. After four years in the Air Force in Florida, they had a daughter, Donna. They moved back to Owego where he became a Flat Rat. After having a son, David, and another daughter, Pam, in 1957 he joined Croton Hose Co. #3. Three years later, in 1960 he bought what would become the Community Shop, which he owned and operated for 25 years until 1985 when he sold the family business to his son. In 1963 he joined the Moose Club and American Legion 401 and later transferred to the Candor America Legion 907. In 1964 he became a Mason and was a Master in 1997 and was holder of the Dedicated Service Award. He was also appointed to the Boys Club Board of Directors that same year. In 1979 he joined the Fire Police and became Captain in 1983 and retired in 2011. In 1985 he joined the Emergency Squad as a Driver and later became an EMT and Driver until retiring in 2004. Over the years he was a Special Deputy with the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office, he worked at the Court House and mowed the lawns on 5th Avenue and Southside so visitors to Owego would feel welcomed. He was a man who enjoyed serving his country and his community in various capacities. His family brought much joy to his life until the very last moment. He taught each one of us to give our all to whatever we believed in. Every day we hear stories from others whose life he touched in some way, whether by lending them money or groceries, helping them in the squad, or serving great food at a dinner. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We wish to thank the Staff at Riverview Manor Nursing Home who knew the great man he was until the very end. Thank you for taking care of him and his family. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery with a funeral luncheon to follow immediately after graveside services. The family will receive family and friends on Monday, October 5th, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home concluding with Masonic Services at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Croton Hose Co. #3, c/o Tom Donovan at 71 Talcott St., Owego, NY 13827 or Owego Emergency Squad, PO Box 22, Owego, NY 13827. Condolences may be made to Donald’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.