Donald Clarence Bruyn

DONALD C. BRUYN, age 88, of Pine Bush, New York, passed away peacefully on October 13,2022 with family members by his side. Donald was born on July 7,1934 in Middletown, New York. He was the son of C. Raymond Bruyn and Doris Ida (Dickerson) Bruyn, widower of Eleanor R. (Smith) Bruyn and devoted companion of Audrey Biagini of Montgomery. Donald graduated in 1951 from Pine Bush Central High School where he maintained a .444 batting average on the baseball team and was a proud member of the undefeated championship six-man football team. Donald obtained an Associate Degree in 1953 from SUNY Cobleskill and was a member of their national champion cross-country team. In 1954 Donald was drafted into the US Air Force and served as a navigator for two years. Donald married his longtime love Eleanor R. Smith on July 9,1955 while stationed at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. After a stint in Tucson, Arizona, Donald and Eleanor returned to New York to raise a family. In October,1956, Donald started his employment with IBM where he remained a dedicated employee for over 37 years. During that time Donald and Eleanor moved from Pine Bush to Kingston to Saugerties and then back to Pine Bush while raising their family of seven children. Donald was a devoted husband and father and was active in all of his children’s activities involving the school, church, scouts, little league and more. Donald was also very involved in community organizations, including the Sawkill Volunteer Fire Department, Saugerties Conservation Commission (a founder), the Cobleskill Alumni Association, Pine Bush High School PTA (president), town of Crawford Historical Society and the American Legion. Donald was raised in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Thompson Ridge and upon moving back to Pine Bush became very committed to the life of the Church serving in many capacities including Deacon and Elder. Donald was also very proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the William Bull/Sarah Wells Stone House Association. Donald was an engineer at heart and loved his precise penmanship and recordkeeping. Among the records recently found was a reference to his 427,170 commuting miles back and forth to IBM. More recently, Donald was very diligent in sending out emails to family and friends keeping everyone up-to-date with his activities and news of all in his chain. The family often marveled over his reporting of the number of times the lawns at the homestead or at Audrey’s house had been mowed. Donald was an avid outdoorsman enjoying fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. He was an avid sports fan and watched and attended many sporting events, including his beloved Yankees and Penn State and Army football games. Donald loved to travel and take family vacations to see the many natural wonders of our country. Donald was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his brother Douglas (Bobby), his son Jon, his son-in law Rick Jones, and two grandchildren Jon Robert Bruyn and Mariah Ann Bruyn. Donald is survived by his devoted companion Audrey Biagini and his brother Raymond (Deane). Donald is also survived by his six children, Candy (John), Wayne (Sherryl), Peter (Faye), Donna, Lisa (Vern) and Barry (Paula), his daughter-in-law Dawn Anderson, his grandchildren Richard Sperl (Shelly), Robert King (Naomi), Marsie Brugman, Michael Diers (Lisa), Olivia Bruyn, Matthew Bruyn, Loran Bruyn, Michael Vente, Emily Bruyn, Katharyn Kavanagh (Dan), Daniel Jones, LaVerne Sessler (Marissa), Nicholas Sessler, Zachary Bruyn and Jacob Bruyn, and great-grandchildren Katelyn Sperl, Mattelyn Sperl, Jayson King, Evan King, Stella LeDuc, Elijah Brugman, Amara Brugman, Ava Diers, Porter Diers, Gabriella Bruyn and Oliver Bruyn, and many nieces, nephews , cousins and dear friends. Donald will be greatly missed by all!!! Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 21,2022 at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Thompson Ridge from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon followed by a Church service. Burial will follow at the New Prospect Cemetery, Pine Bush, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 15, Thompson Ridge, New York 10985.

Donald Clarence Bruyn

July 7, 1934 - October 13, 2022