Obituary of Donald W. Ackerley

Donald W Ackerley passed away peacefully on July 22, 2024, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, following a brief illness. 

He was born on April 6, 1941, in Walton NY to William and Marjorie Faulkner Ackerley.  While living in Walton he met two people who became very special to him, and he considered his second parents, Hanford and Helen Nichols.

He attended many area schools until finally settling in Bloomville where he went to South Kortright Central School until he joined the US Marine Corp in 1959.  He served until 1963, when he had an honorable discharge as a Corporal.

On March 21, 1964, he married Barbara Brockway, a marriage that lasted 60 years. 

Don and Barb owned and operated Crystal Springs Dairy in Hobart, NY along with their 3 daughters.  Don served as a member and former chief of the Hobart Fire Dept. and a member of the Stamford Fire Dept for many years.  After selling their farm Don went to work for South Kortright Central School as a custodian for many years and then at Andes Central School where he retired in 2011 as head of building and grounds.  Once he retired Don did what he enjoyed best, mowing lawns and visiting the local diners for breakfast.

Don is survived by his wife: Barbara; daughters: Wendy (Jeff) Bailey of Davenport, NY, Kim Ackerley of Roxbury, NY, and Michele Ackerley of Hobart, NY;  granddaughter: Kayla Ballard; two step-granddaughters: Erin (Fred) Blumberg and Sarah (Derek) Scully; four great-grandchildren; sisters: Iris Wood and Jackie (Kevin) Cotter both of Johnstown, NY:  sisters-in-law: Diane Ackerley Williams and Mary Brockway; honorary mother: Helen Nichols; along with several nieces, nephews cousins and friends.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers: Doug and Gary; sister: Joyce Stuver; grandson: Jason Mclean; brother-in-law: Dennis Brockway; and honorary father Hanford Nichols.

If you knew Don, then you knew his sense of humor.  He always left you with a joke and a smile.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on the family from 2-5PM on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford, where full US Marine Corp. military honors will be held at 2PM.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Ackerley family.

To watch a recording of Donald's military honors follow the link below.

MILITARY HONORS DON ACKERLEY