Obituary for Donald Atlas
Donald A. (Don) Atlas
April 20, 1932- July 30, 2014
Slate Hill, N.Y.
Formerly of Staten Island
Donald Atlas, a 27 year resident of Slate Hill, died this past Wednesday after a lengthy illness at Orange Regional Medical Center. He was never alone in his final days as someone was always by his side.
Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (neeRussell)Atlas. He is also survived by his children; his son, Don and his wife Ellen, and their children Kathleen and her husband James Harding and their children Conor and Grace, Peter, Jean and her husband Wesley Blevins and Kara and her husband Bryan Welsh; his son Scott, his wife Lynn and their children John, Emily, Rebbecca, Caroline and Claire ; his daughter Valerie and her husband Gregory Fernandes and their children David and Christine; his daughter-in-law JoAnn and her children Gregg and Sarah;and his daughter-in-law,Donna .He was predeceased by his sons, Lt. Gregg A. Atlas FDNY(WTC)and Keith E. Atlas.
Donald was born on Staten Island, N.Y, the son of the late Dr. Theodore Atlas and Claire Barry Atlas. He lived on Staten Island until he moved to Slate Hill, N.Y. twenty seven years ago.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a military policeman and worked in the construction industry until he joined the New York City Police Department. He served as a policeman until his retirement and then moved to Orange County. He started a construction company with his son Scott, Atlas Concrete Foundations,and simultaneously developed a horse farm which had been a retirement dream of his. He owned and raised standardbred horses on the farm. After retiring from the construction business he and his wife enjoyed their life together on their farm, watching and caring for the horses stabled there. Their home was a place of joy and laughter as their children and grandchildren were a constant presence in their lives.
Donald was a big, strong easy going man who upon meeting someone usually referred to that person as his friend. He was a great story teller and enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was devoted to his wife and family as they were to him. He felt that despite life’s challenges that he lived a wonderful life.Those who knew him would agree.
Visitation will be held on Monday August 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, August 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery located at 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com
Visitation will be held on Monday August 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, August 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery located at 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY.
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April 20, 1932- July 30, 2014
Slate Hill, N.Y.
Formerly of Staten Island
Donald Atlas, a 27 year resident of Slate Hill, died this past Wednesday after a lengthy illness at Orange Regional Medical Center. He was never alone in his final days as someone was always by his side.
Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (neeRussell)Atlas. He is also survived by his children; his son, Don and his wife Ellen, and their children Kathleen and her husband James Harding and their children Conor and Grace, Peter, Jean and her husband Wesley Blevins and Kara and her husband Bryan Welsh; his son Scott, his wife Lynn and their children John, Emily, Rebbecca, Caroline and Claire ; his daughter Valerie and her husband Gregory Fernandes and their children David and Christine; his daughter-in-law JoAnn and her children Gregg and Sarah;and his daughter-in-law,Donna .He was predeceased by his sons, Lt. Gregg A. Atlas FDNY(WTC)and Keith E. Atlas.
Donald was born on Staten Island, N.Y, the son of the late Dr. Theodore Atlas and Claire Barry Atlas. He lived on Staten Island until he moved to Slate Hill, N.Y. twenty seven years ago.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a military policeman and worked in the construction industry until he joined the New York City Police Department. He served as a policeman until his retirement and then moved to Orange County. He started a construction company with his son Scott, Atlas Concrete Foundations,and simultaneously developed a horse farm which had been a retirement dream of his. He owned and raised standardbred horses on the farm. After retiring from the construction business he and his wife enjoyed their life together on their farm, watching and caring for the horses stabled there. Their home was a place of joy and laughter as their children and grandchildren were a constant presence in their lives.
Donald was a big, strong easy going man who upon meeting someone usually referred to that person as his friend. He was a great story teller and enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was devoted to his wife and family as they were to him. He felt that despite life’s challenges that he lived a wonderful life.Those who knew him would agree.
Visitation will be held on Monday August 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, August 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery located at 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com
Visitation will be held on Monday August 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, August 5th at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery located at 149 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY.
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