Gary S. Donelian

On March 22, 2023, Gary Donelian, loving husband, stepfather, brother, uncle and cousin, passed away at home at the age of 77.

Gary was born to Khatchik Ohannes and Lillian Sarkisian Donelian on December 23, 1945 in Manhattan, New York City. He spent his early years in Jackson Heights, Queens with his family before they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for two years, and then returned to NY and settled in the village of Armonk, NY where he grew up and remained for 20 years to complete his schooling. He loved to reminisce about his childhood days in Armonk that were among the happiest days of his life.

After graduating from Pleasantville High School, Gary received an Associate’s Degree from Westchester Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Technology from New York Institute of Technology. He also attended Iona College. After leaving Armonk, he earned his Master of Education Degree (with certificates in Elementary Education and Special Education) from New York State University at New Paltz. He was employed in psychiatric rehabilitation at Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany (1981-2000). In 2001, he married Nancy Pelham in Saugerties, NY.

An expert auto mechanic, home repairman and draftsman, Gary was a volunteer on Pete Seeger’s ship The Clearwater, a guitarist, folk singer and fan of Chet Atkins, a naturalist with wide-ranging knowledge of the forest, a cook and baker, a potter and stained-glass glazier, and an adept of native American culture, Western psychology and Eastern wisdom.

Gary adventured alone across the US in his Volkswagen van with a canoe atop. During his life, he owned, serviced and drove several motor vehicles including an Indian Chief motorcycle. Gary and Nancy drove to Nova Scotia. Over his life, he collected a huge and extensive array of tools, as well as CDs and books by various artists, authors and topics. He was fascinated with design, alternative energy technology and energy conservation. His dream was to build a house in which to live with Nancy on a remote and wooded 10-acre parcel in upstate NY. Unfortunately, he was unable to realize it.

Gary cared about people less fortunate than he. He was determined in his pursuit of justice. He was kind, generous and always ready to laugh. He took pleasure in giving gifts at the holidays, including his own hand-made pottery and cheoreg, an Armenian bread, or crafts from Native American Indian and other indigenous sources.

Gary was preceded in death by his father and mother and his elder brother John. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his brother Armen and sister-in-law Rose Caldwell, his sister Margaret Donelian Ericson, a niece, a nephew, two step-children and several cousins.

A memorial service will be announced. Donations may be sent to the Rheumatology Research Foundation or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, or research charities of choice dedicated to rheumatology and dementia.

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