The Honorable Donald Richard Presutti of Newburgh, NY, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend and former Mayor of the City of Newburgh, entered into rest on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at home with his four children close by, he was 90. Donald was born in Newburgh, NY on May 30, 1933.
Donald was a resident of Newburgh, NY for 85 years and recently of Milton, NH. He was the son of the late Vincent and Rose (Mancuso) Presutti. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Doris J. Presutti who entered her eternal rest on June 9, 2023.
Don is survived by his four children, Donald V. Presutti, his wife Robin Galage, Joyce A. Presutti, her husband Ed Romanoff, Edward M. Presutti, his wife Mary Carol Presutti, Jeanmarie Presutti, her husband David O’Herron, Grandchildren, Donald V. Presutti Jr., Jennifer Shebanie, Sam Galage, Jack Galage, Elizabeth Colonna, her husband Roy Colonna, Great Grandchildren, Dorian Farley, Alice Colonna, Molly Colonna, and many Croke, Galewski and Presutti nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Don lived a life of service, goodness, faith, & devotion; to his family, to God, to his community and to his friends. He had a passion for the City of Newburgh and dreamed of it one day becoming an All American City once again. He spent many evenings with his wife. Doris, sitting watching the water on the banks of the Hudson River dreaming of that day.
Don was a 1951 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, where he wrote, produced and directed the senior class play, “Dear Mom”. He attended the State University of New York at Cortland. While at Cortland, he served in the House of Delegates, swam with the undefeated varsity swim team and was a gymnast with the Gymnastics Demonstration Team. After Cortland, Don left for Europe where he toured in a VW Bus, camping and climbing some of the most beautiful mountains. Exploring his love pf photography, he took many stunning pictures of the landscapes, mountains and interesting people he met along his journey. His photos were so good, that he once sold a picture of himself climbing in the Alps to an ad agency. It graced the pages of magazines in the 1950’s.
When he returned to Newburgh, Don married his sweetheart, Doris J. Presutti on September 24, 1957, at St. Mary’s Church. As a young married man, Don worked at a local sporting goods store, Sutherland and Lorch. During his time there he became part of the first certified class of SCUBA Diving Instructors on the East Coast. Don became certified by the National Association of Instructors to teach Scuba Diving. Don taught not only Scuba Diving, but Archery, Skiing Waterskiing and Trap Shooting and owned and operated an underwater search and rescue company. He was the president of The Happy Six Conservation Club, the Eastern Orange County Ski Club, Newburgh Aquatic Club and was the founder and president of the Newburgh Swimming Association.
During the 1960’s Don, Pete Seeger and Victor Schwarz founded The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and served as its president. One of his proudest moments was sailing on the Clearwater into New York Harbor with his eldest son Donald by his side. He loved to talk about the Sloop and the many adventures he had while part of this important initiative. The Sloop Clearwater exists today and is a member-supported, 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the Hudson River by inspiring lifelong stewardship of the river and its tributaries with innovative advocacy through education programs. The organization owns and operates the historic 106′ Hudson River Sloop replica, recognized as America’s Environmental Flagship. More than 50 years after Pete, Don and Vic talked about the Sloop, the Clearwater is recognized for its award-winning environmental education programs, through which students investigate the ecology, history, and environmental challenges of the Hudson Valley– fostering generations of environmental stewards in local communities.
After Sutherland and Lorch closed, Don became a sales manager for Prudential Insurance Company where he was the recipient of the Prudential Community Service Award. During his time with Prudential, Don was the president of the Newburgh Jaycees, Orange Lake Fish and Game Club and a member of the executive board of the Orange County District of the Boy Scouts of America.
Don had a great love of his country and instilled his patriotic nature in his children and had the utmost respect for and honored, whenever he could, our brave service men and woman. Don’s love of the City of Newburgh caused him to run for City Council, he was elected for two terms and served for 12 years, when his last term as councilman was up, he decided to run for Mayor. He won the election and served the city with passion and a willingness to reach across the aisles and bring everyone together for the betterment of the city. He had many accomplishments during his time in office; serving on The National League of Cities, The Economical Community Development Committee meeting with then Vice President, Dan Quayle in his office in Washington DC. He also met and worked with the Congress of Racial Equality. He believed if everyone worked as one towards one purpose, great change could take place, he believed that wholeheartedly to the very end of his life.
Don’s entrepreneurial spirit lead him to create many businesses throughout his life. He owned, with his wife, Doris, Don’s Athletes and Dancers Shoppe and Home Security and Maintenance Company. Both in Newburgh, he continued to give back to his community by starting businesses in the heart of the city he loved.
Don spent many years on the Board of Directors for Just Off Broadway, Inc. in Newburgh. He was lovingly referred to as Papa P. and could be found at the theatre, sometimes late into the evening, volunteering his time building sets, painting and telling stories!
In his retirement, Don loved teaching as a substitute at Goshen High School. He loved to connect with the young students and listen to their hopes and dreams, encouraging them to follow their hearts, stay in school and give back to their communities whenever possible.
Don’s last job before retiring completely was as the Director at The Karpeles Manuscript Library on Broadway in Newburgh. He loved creating events for the community and talking with the people that would visit from all walks of life.
Don loved his Italian heritage and could often times be heard telling stories of growing up in a large Italian family. He loved to sing, he played the ukulele, enjoyed cooking and always enjoyed big family meals. Sitting and enjoying time with his family was one of his greatest joys. He had a terrific sense of humor and could tell a good joke! He enjoyed creating Haunted Houses for the neighborhood kids and would often dress up to scare them from the porch during trick or treating. He loved Christmas and could spend days setting up Christmas lights, the Christmas tree and the crèche. He loved to sit and watch the lights and reminisce as the children grew older. Don was a caring, loving and kind man, he will be missed by all who loved him dearly.
Donations may be made in Don’s name to Covenant House. covenanthouse.org.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Friday, June 30, 2023 at White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation Service, 188 N. Plank Road, Newburgh.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 10 am on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church, 25 S. Robinson Avenue, Newburgh.
Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.
Full obituary, please visit www.WhiteandVenutoFuneralHome.com.