Obituary for Don Cady, Sr.

Donald R Cady, Sr., 88, of Pleasant Valley, NY passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He was born on July 8, 1934 en route to Vassar Hospital to the late George S. Cady Sr. and Mabel Pectal Cady.

He was proud to have lived in Pleasant Valley his entire life.

He attended Arlington schools, leaving the high school in 1952 to join the US Navy. He had to present signed permission from his mom to leave school at the age of 17. He served 3.5 years as a catapultist on the USS Siboney (CVE112) also known as a “Baby Flat Top Escort”. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

He worked at Schatz Federal from 1956 to 1958 making ball bearings. He then worked at De Laval (now Alpha Laval) for 28 years. In 1981 he and his wife opened GE Masten Feed Store which is still in business.

In 1961 Don married the love of his life, Pamela Williams, who survives at home.

Don was a member of the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire District for the last 70 years, where he was Lieutenant, Vice President, President and Commissioner. He was also president of the Dutchess County Association of Fire Districts. He was twice awarded “Fireman of the Year” and won the “Presidents Award” from the Salt Point Fire Company in 2001. He was also the Grand Marshall of the Pleasant Valley Weekend Parade in 2016 along with Marty Mills and Fred Albrecht, and in June of 2022 was Grand Marshall along with Marty Mills again for the 75th Anniversary Parade for the Salt Point Fire Company.

He loved sports, and when his children were young, he was a coach and an umpire for both hardball and girls softball. He played adult volleyball for many years. He was inducted into the Dutchess County Hall of Fame for “Fast Pitch” Softball and pitched a “no hitter” for a fundraiser for Murray McDermott against the Town of Poughkeepsie Allstars.

He loved to watch golf and play golf, especially with his favorite partner Vinny, and scored his only “hole in one” at Sunny Hill Golf Course. He also loved to watch NASCAR racing and attended a few races at the Poconos.

He loved to watch M*A*S*H on TV, and enjoy his favorite soda and any chocolate treat especially chocolate cake with white icing.

He participated in Relay for Life for over 15 years.

He was in the inaugural group of Ambassadors on the Walkway over the Hudson and was the first volunteer honored at Starry Starry Night in 2018 as a Great Connector. He was also Santa on the Walkway for the last 10 years. He loved the walkway and all the friends he met there and would promote its beauty wherever he went.

He participated in the Honor Flight Mission 11 from Stewart Airport on April 2, 2016, and said it was the best experience he ever had and was so grateful to have had the opportunity.

He was currently an assistant greeter, bike jockey and candy tester at The Pleasant Valley Bike Shop.

He is survived by his children: Donald R. Cady, Jr (Karen), Kelly Shaffer (Joe), Jeffrey Cady (Jean) and Matthew Cady (Wendy); his grandchildren: Jeremiah Shaffer (Chauntel), Alyssa Shaffer (Jimmie), Marissa McLain, Emily and Michael Cady, Rhonda and Eric Cady, Kelly, Shawna and Trinity Lattin, and fifteen great grandchildren; his sister Carol Ann McKenna and many special nieces and nephews and their families and his beloved Fisher family in Lancaster County. He was predeceased by his siblings: Theresa Decker, Alma Freer, George “Mike” Cady, Jean Mann, and Gordon Cady Sr.

Don’s family would like to thank everyone who touched his life and is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support. Don would be proud and his family would love it if you would live each day as he did, trying to make one new friend or help one new person.

Calling Hours are Friday, August 5, from 4 - 8pm at Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main Street, Pleasant Valley NY 12569. The Pleasant Valley Fire District will hold a firematic service at 6:45pm.

Graveside services will be held at 10am on Saturday August 6, at Friends Upton Lake Cemetery, 2565 Salt Point Turnpike, Clinton Corners, NY 12514.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to:
Salt Point Fire Company: PO Box 152, Salt Point, NY 12578, Phone: (845) 266-5177
Hudson Valley Honor Flight: P.O. Box 375, Walden, NY 12586, info@hvhonorflight.com, Phone: (845) 391-0076