Donald William Clarke

Summit- Chief Don Clarke, 53 year active fire fighter and chief passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at his residence in Summit with family and friends at his side, after a three year battle with liver and kidney disease. At the time of his passing, he was still 1st Assistant Chief of SFD 1612.

Don was born March 28, 1948 in Woodhaven, Queens. His family moved to Seaford, Long Island in 1959. Don joined the US Army in 1968 and served honorably overseas. He returned in 1970 and joined the Seaford Fire Department, where he rose to rank of Chief in 1988. After retirement from Seaford Fire Department in 1991, Don moved to Summit full time to a home that he, with the help of his friends, had built.

He immediately joined the Summit Fire Department. He was elected Fire Commissioner, served on the Town Council and was a founding member of the Summit Sno Riders. He was a long time Code Enforcement Officer for the Towns of Summit and Jefferson, as well as the Village of Richmondville. He worked many years as construction manager for Western Catskills Revitalization in Stamford. Don became a mentor and friend for many of the people he interacted with.

Don loved to travel in his spare time with his Shepard and best friend, Nova. They covered 48 states and 5 Canadian Provinces in 3 years. He also visited 30 National Parks and countless National Forests and Monuments, and met many interesting people along the way. He was an avid snowmobiler who snowmobiled all over the country.

But most of all, Don was a First Responder. Whether it was a tractor trailer accident on a Canadian Highway, or the Dixie Wild Fire in California, or a cold fire, or ambulance call in Summit, Don was ALWAYS there!

Don is survived by his brother, Tim and sister-in-law, Tracey; niece, Kristen; nephew, Dan and his wife, Amanda; great-nephews, Keith and Travis; and the many neighbors, friends, firefighters, and EMT's who helped through this difficult time.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 4:00-7:00PM at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 11:00AM with an hour of visitation preceding the service from 10:00-11:00AM at Summit Fire Department with Pastor David Houck officiating. Burial will take place in Summit Cemetery with military honors at graveside.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in memory of Don Clarke to Summit Fire and Rescue, PO Box 400, Summit, NY 12175.