Obituary of Donald C. Cantone

Donald C. Cantone, 84, of the Town of Poughkeepsie died Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Vassar Brothers Hospital after a long illness. Don was born July 1, 1932 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was the son of the late Peter and Freda Cantone. Don's upbringing was primarily in Silver Spring, Maryland and then Endicott, New York where he graduated from Union Endicott High School in 1950. He married the love of his life Gloria Seredick in Elmira on June 6, 1955. Following enlisted service in the U.S. Army, Don graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1958 and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He also obtained his MBA degree from Indiana University in 1965. Beginning in 1959, Don had a 32-year career at IBM in various capacities in Endicott; Greencastle, Indiana; Fishkill, and Poughkeepsie including quality control supervisor for hardware analytics and liability assessment. He retired from IBM in 1991. While working full-time at IBM and continuing beyond his retirement, Don was an active multi-sports umpire and referee throughout the Hudson Valley and served in leadership capacities in local officiating organizations. The Mid-Hudson Board of Volleyball Officials Annual Sportsmanship Award was created in Don's name in 2016. He was also an active volunteer for the Mid-Hudson Mended Hearts chapter for over 15 years. Don is survived by his loyal, loving, committed, and nurturing wife of 62 years, Gloria. He is the deeply proud parent of their four children and spouses: son Daniel (and daughter-in-law Kathleen) of Syracuse; daughter Cathlyn of New York; son Thomas (and daughter-in-law Mary Evans) of Midlothian, Virginia; and son Michael of Eagan, Minnesota. Don is also survived by six wonderful grandchildren and spouses: Laura Hesler (and son-in-law Brad) of Syracuse; Peter (and daughter-in-law Mary) of Amherst; Rachel McCarthy (and son-in-law Todd) of Syracuse; Christopher Cantone of Charlottesville, Virginia; Katherine Cantone of Midlothian, Virginia, and Luca Cantone of New York; as well as blessed by three great-grandchildren: Hailey Hesler and Lola Hesler of Syracuse and Paige Cantone of Amherst. Family will receive friends on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 1 at Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers Falls, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Cremains will be interred in a private ceremony at Riverhurst Cemetery in Endicott at a later date. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Don's name to Zion Episcopal Church, 12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, New York 12590 or Mended Hearts Chapter #5, c/o Health Quest Cardio Rehab, 115 Delafield Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601.