Donald F. 'Pete' Denslow

Boonville - Donald F. "Pete" Denslow, 77, a life-long resident of East Road in the Town of Leyden, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2009, at SUNY Medical Center in Syracuse after a brief illness. Pete was born on the Denslow family homestead on the East Road on July 29, 1931 to Kenneth G. and Lillian L. Mowers Denslow. He attended Port Leyden Central School and enlisted in the U.S. Army after completing 11th grade. Pete served during the Korean Conflict, taking part in the reconstruction of war-torn Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1953 at the rank of sergeant. On August 7, 1954, he was united in marriage with Mary I. Hicks at the Boonville Methodist Church Parsonage by the Reverend Alton E. Parker. Mr. Denslow had a long career as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. His first employment in that capacity was with Denslow Equipment Co., followed by Swartout Construction Co. and Gallo Bros. Construction Co., all of Boonville. He eventually retired from the Town of Leyden Highway Department in Talcottville, where he was a snowplow operator, heavy equipment operator and mechanic for over twenty-five years. Most recently he had served as Town Councilman for the Town of Leyden. Pete also was active in the operation of the Denslow family dairy farm. He worked with his father to clear land for what became "LiLKen Family Park," a part of the Denslow farm that bordered the Sugar River. For many years he was caretaker of this property, which was the site of many family reunions and picnics, including the famed "East Road Picnic." He was a member of the Talcottville United Methodist Church, Boonville Uriel Masonic Lodge #165 F&AM, and the Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, Boonville. He greatly enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, later giving the fruits of his labor to friends. He enjoyed carpentry, especially helping his daughter, Karen, in the renovations necessary to open Freddy's Diner, located on Ford Street in Boonville. For several years he was a truck driver for Coleman Bros. Carnival. Pete enjoyed operating his Farmall A tractor, splitting wood, and driving the snowplow for the town of Leyden. He was a hard worker and enjoyed working with his hands 'from sunup 'til sundown.' In addition to his wife, Pete is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Bob Kapfer and Dorinda and Jerry Fruin, all of Boonville, and Carol and Patrick Casey of Ozark, AL; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Dianna Denslow of Boonville, and Dale and Cynthia Denslow of Port Leyden; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Bruce and Janet Denslow of Boonville, Douglas and Janis Denslow of Waynesboro, PA, Edwin Denslow of Canonsburg, PA, and Roderick and Linda Denslow of Leesburg, FL; three sisters, Blanche Pfendler of Boonville, Madeline Schoff of West Leyden, and Mrs. Frederick (Elaine) Kline of Boonville; and a sister-in-law, Marvel Denslow. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard Denslow in 1997. Pete is also survived by his beloved pet and companion, Yosemite Sam. His Funeral will be Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville, where Rev. William A. Mudge, pastor of the Boonville United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be in Port Leyden Cemetery, where members of the Charles J. Love Post #406 American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post #5538 VFW, and the Tun Tavern Leathernecks Marine Corps League Detachment 961 will provide military rites. Visitation hours are Thursday 1-4 & 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. His family has suggested memorial contributions may be made to Boonville United Methodist Church or Turin Fire Co. Ambulance Fund.