Obituary of Donald C. Gaw

Donald C. Gaw Donald C. Gaw, a long time resident of Wappingers Falls, died April 16, 2009 peacefully at his home. He was 79. He is survived by his four children, Martin of Salt Point; Donna Kara of Poughkeepsie, Richard and his wife, Elaine Brooks of Landenberg, PA; and Clifford of Wappingers Falls; and two grandchildren, Hannah Gaw of Seattle, WA and Matthew Kara of Poughkeepsie. He was the husband of Margaret T. Gaw, with whom he shared 46 years of marriage. Mrs. Gaw passed away on February 1, 1998. He was preceded in death by his sister, Florence Weil and his three brothers, Archibald, Edward and Robert. Born May 7, 1929 at Bronx-Manhattan Hospital, Don spent his formative years in the Bronx and attended DeWitt Clinton High School from where he received a high school equivalency degree in 1947. He served for many years in the United States Coast Guard and in the Coast Guard Reserve, and received an honorable discharge in May 1951. On August 2, 1952, he married Margaret Baggott, also of the Bronx, and after a brief residency in the Bronx, the couple moved to the Hudson Valley in 1953, where he began a 37 year career at IBM in Poughkeepsie, later transferring to the company's East Fishkill and Fishkill locations until he retired in 1989. During that time, Don served for more than three decades as a volunteer baseball manager for the IBM Little League, the Town of Wappinger Little League; and the head coach of several basketball teams for St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wappingers Falls. He was also a member of the IBM Mixed Chorus for several years, rising to the rank of president of the chorus. He was also a volunteer at Bowdoin Park where he participated with school field trips. Don enjoyed reading, American history and woodworking. Family will receive friends on Monday, April 20, 2009 from 10 am to 12 noon. at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, New York 12590. Graveside services will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.