Donald O. Kress
Donald O. Kress, age 85 of Old Forge and formerly of Auburn died on May 22, 2015 at Sunset Nursing Home in Booneville after a brief illness.
Don was born in Manlius, NY on February 14, 1930, the son of Orthello and Jesse Everingham Kress.
He was educated in the Manlius Public School system, went to St. Lawrence University for one year, and then transferred to Cornell University, where he completed his studies and earned a degree in Labor and Industrial Relations.
He married Elizabeth K. (Betsy) Dillingham on February 4, 1952 in Manlius, NY. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, he was employed by Dunn and McCarthy of Auburn, NY, as office manager.
In the early 1960’s, he joined the Syracuse franchise of Pepsi Cola as office manager. After the Syracuse plant acquired several other area franchises, he earned the positions of vice president and treasurer of the conglomerate. He was employed by Pepsico until his retirement in 1985.
Shortly after retiring, Don and Betsy sold their home in Auburn, and moved permanently to their summer residence in Old Forge. Don was very active in the Old Forge community over the course of the next 20 years.
He was on the Old Forge zoning board for a number of years.
He served as a deacon at Niccolls Memorial Church, and used his computer skills to help manage financial matters for both the church and the Old Forge Health Center.
He also pursued his favorite hobbies: restoring antique furniture and boats, and traveling.
Don and Betsy spent the month of April each year on Pawley’s Island, SC, where they were joined most years by children and grandchildren during spring vacations.
Don was predeceased by his loving wife Betsy on December 25, 2010.
Survivors include his son David Kress and David’s wife Gisele Kress of Old Forge, and Linda Kress and her husband Tom Labash of Peterborough, NH, as well as five grandchildren: Kevin and Ethan Kress, Marya, Marika and Zoe Labash, and one great grandson, Theodore Moffitt.
Other relatives include Don’s sister-in-law, Carol Dillingham Rivet and her husband William Rivet of Old Forge, and niece and nephew, Nicole and Jeff Rivet.
A memorial service was held at Niccolls Memorial Church on June 5, 2015.
The interment was held at the Riverview Cemetery in Old Forge.
Memorial donations in Don’s memory may be made to: HASCA (Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks), 114 South Shore Road, Old Forge, NY 13420.
