Donald W. Yauchzy

Donald William Yauchzy

November 19, 1953 – December 5, 2020

Donald William Yauchzy of Camillus, NY (Syracuse) died on December 5, 2020.  He is the son of Reverend Lois O. Yauchzy and the late Dorrance Yauchzy.  Don was born in Jamestown, New York and moved to North Syracuse, New York with his family at the age of six.  He graduated from North Syracuse High School (Class of 1971) and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Class of 1975).  

A downturn in the national economy closed the market in Don’s chosen field, but forest biology remained his life’s interest.  Don was an informal teacher and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others.  He was an avid reader and he encouraged others of all ages to read as well.  Don was a proud leader of a Girl Scout Troop, teaching camping skillsand appreciation of nature, for several years.  He took his troop to Montreal, Canada to experience a language and culture other than their own.

Over a 15-year period the Yauchzy family welcomed foreign visitors into their home through an international exchange program.  Don not only learned from them, but enthusiastically shared his own way of life. 

Don was a proud American.  He served as an Election Inspector in Onondaga County for 27 years.  He was a Lieutenant in the 1st Virginia Calvary, doing Civil War re-enacting, and provided period correct and authentic representation of an officer. Don was also a very skilled craftsman and he made archery bows and arrows, crocheted, sewed, and even dreamt of building his own boat someday by studying nautical blueprints and histories.  During the last five years of his life Don enjoyed sharing his life with “Jacques,” an orange tabby cat, and he thoroughly enjoyed telling tales of Jacques’ antics and escapades.  

Don loved music: vocal and instrumental, including classical, folk, popular, and country.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Dorrance, and his brother David.  Don is survived by his mother, Lois O’PolkaYauchzy, sisters Carolyn Messina Yauchzy (Michael) and Ginny Yauchzy (Nancy Mignogna), niece Sierra Messina-Yauchzy; brother-in-law Kenneth Reed, and Peter Valentin of Völklinger Germany; aunt and uncle Edith and Donald O’Polka; and numerous cousins.  

Spring interment will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood (Jamestown), NY.

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