Donald C. 'Don' Gydesen

Boonville - Donald C. Gydesen, 73, of East Road, passed away on at Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, after a brief illness. Don was born on August 26, 1934, at the Gydesen homestead farm on the Highmarket Road near Constableville, a son of the late Peter and Sarah Fey Gydesen. He grew up on the Highmarket Road, and received his early grades education at the Fish Creek Rural School, later attending Constableville Central School. After that he worked on his family's farm, until May 24, 1955, when he entered the U.S.Army. While serving in the army, he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO., and then in Korea during the Korean Conflict Era. On March 19, 1957, Mr. Gydesen was transferred to service in the U.S. Army Reserves, receiving his honorable discharge on April 30, 1963. On January 24, 1959, Donald was married to Carol S. Zeigler, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Boonville. After that the couple lived in Lyons Falls, and then on Woodgate Drive in Boonville, before moving to East Road in 1964. The couple were later divorced. During the late 1950's he was employed at Gould Paper Co., Lyons Falls, and after that he was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Gallo Bros. Construction Co., Boonville, for "Spot" Delia Construction Co., Boonville, and in the late 1990's Mr. Gydesen retired from Barrett Paving Co. as a heavy equipment operator in road construction. From the 1960's until the 1990's he owned and operated one of the first modern car washes in the area. Mr. Gydesen had attended St. Mary's Church, Constableville, and he was a member of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, and a life member of Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., both of Boonville. During the seasons of 1959, and 1960, he raced stock car # 66, at the Watertown Fair Grounds Speedway. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, card playing and spending time at his camp near Brantingham Lake. Mr. Gydesen is survived by two sons; Jeffrey and his fiancee, Linda Baxter, Michael and wife, Debra, one daughter, and son in law; Lorrie A. and Dan Czepiel, all of Boonville, seven grandchildren, Jacob Gydesen, Sarah Gydesen, Tonia Gydesen, Joshua Gydesen, Kaylee Gydesen, Todd Czepiel, Brett Czepiel, three great grandchildren; Ethan, Noah and Kylie, two brothers; Haver J. Gydesen, Lowville, Nelson R. Gydesen, Bloomfield, NY., four sisters; Sylvia Zeigler, Boonville, Erma Planck, Constableville, Lucille (Booty) Munn, Utica, and Eva Mae Swiernik, and husband, Edward, Turin. He was predeceased by a sister Kathleen Bauer on August 3, 1985. Also surviving are nieces nephews, and cousins, and his special friend, Mary Sweredoski, Lowville. Don's family extends a sincere thank you and deep appreciation to the Lewis Co. General Hospital Emergency Room Staff, and 2nd Floor East Wing, and also to the staff at Sunset Nursing Home for all of their kindness and compassion. His Funeral Services will be on Monday at 10:00 A.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Fr. Donald H. Karlen, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, will officiate. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Constableville, where members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W., and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville, will render Military Rites. Calling hours are 2-4 & 7-9 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 64, Boonville, NY 13309, or to Alzheimer's Association, Central N.Y. Chapter 441 Kirkpatrick St. Syracuse, NY 13204.