SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Donald P. Christian, 96, of South New Berlin, went home with his Lord on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, with family holding his hands and was undoubtedly greeted by his wife and two sons.
He had resided at the Chase Nursing Facility of New Berlin for the past 8 months where he received excellent care. Previous to that, he and his wife Ellamae had lived in their home in South New Berlin for 64 years.
Don was born Oct. 7, 1914, one of several children to Miles and Goldie Christian and lived his entire life in this area. Raised on a farm between Mt. Upton and South New Berlin, Don soon learned the value of hard work and enjoyed several jobs throughout his life. At a young age he constructed silos for Craine Silo up and down the east coast. He was later employed as a truck driver, worked for the Scintila and eventually Bennett Ireland in Norwich as foreman of the shipping dept. When they closed their doors, Don quickly acquired a position of security officer at the Norwich Pharmacy working there until his retirement in 1980.
Always ready with a great story or a good joke, Don was usually seen with a broad smile and had a wonderful sense of humor. His stories will live on through his family laughingly repeating his many tales. Don loved bowling when he was younger, but his great passion was being a volunteer fireman. He belonged to the Norwich Fire Dept. for several years and then the South New Berlin Fire Dept. in which he held several offices over the years. His years of service as a fireman totaled well over 60 years.
Don married Ellamae Holmes in 1938. He was predeceased by his wife Ellamae, his two sons, David and Donald Christian, his daughter-in-law Mary Lou Christian, 3 great grandchildren and his brothers Earl, Gaylord and Miles Christian.
Don is survived by his two daughters Cynthia Christian of Arlington, Va. and Mary Lee Meyers and son-in-law Kenneth, his daughter-in-law Ann Christian all of South New Berlin, his sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Floyd Bush of Oneonta. He was also loved by several grandchildren, Donald, William, Troy and Kevin Christian, Beth Ann Rainbow, Teresa Pope and Mark and Michael Meyers. Several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews also survive.
Gravesisde services for Don will be held in the spring, May 27, 2011 at 2 p.m. from the Maplewood Cemetery of Mt. Upton. There will be no calling hours.
Please consider memorial contributions in his memory to the South New Berlin Fire Dept., South New Berlin, NY 13843.
Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.