Obituary of Donald L Gardner

Donald L Gardner 57 of Cortlandville passed away unexpectedly August 11, 2011 in the Town of Homer. Don was born August 27, 1953 in Cortland to son of Donald R and Mary Ellen Hamilton Gardner. A loyal and dedicated fire fighter in Cortland county serving with the Cortland, Homer and Cortlandville Fire Departments. Don was a member of the Cortland County Fire Investigation Team, and was a NYS Instructor for the Holmatro Tool used by the fire service, Don was known as Holmotro Don to all the fire fighters in the area, he has served as a past chief for the Cortlandville Fire Department, and was currently serving as a Fire Commissioner. Don is survived by his fiancee Kathy Thomas of Cortland, his mother Mary Ellen Gardner of Marathon, his daughter Tracie (Christopher) Smith of Castle Creek, brothers Scott Gardner of Marathon, Billy (Cindy) Gardner of Tx, sisters Louanne Darling of TX. Nannette (Jim) Leonard of Pitcher, grandchildren Brandon, Nickolas, Leighanna, and his long time friend Carolyn and stepdaughter Tracy Ann Dorn , his Canine companion Abbey. Don was predeceased by his father Donald R. Gardner and brother Charles. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Tuesday at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home 9 Lincoln Ave, with Deacon Joe During Cortlandville Fire Department Chaplin officiating. Friends are invited to call from 5 €“ 8 pm Monday evening at the funeral home. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Dons name is asked to consider the Cortlandville Fire Department 999 RT 13 Cortland, NY 13045 To offer on line condolences visit www.wright-beard.com Don will be missed by his friends and colleagues at SUNY Cortland. He was an outstanding individual in everthing he did in life. Ellen and I enjoyed talking with Don and greatly appreciated his help on a number of occasions. I know that the brotherhood of firefighters in Cortland will also miss this outstanding gentleman. Erik Bitterbaum & Ellen Burton Don was a very nice person and he will definitely be missed here at SUNY Cortland. Wishing you all much strength and comfort in this time of sorrow. Sue Bush Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. Don will be missed.Joe and Rosa Nauseef Don was truly a remarkable individual. Not only was he one of the best, most dedicated CSEA Peer Trainers and safety activists we have ever known, he was a good friend. Don was always there to offer a helping hand or kind word. He was generous and selfless and did so much good for those around him. Don was a great safety trainer and mentor. He really did change and save many lives. On behalf of the CSEA Peer Trainer Program, we wish you our sincerest condolences. We will miss him so much. Janet Womachka I met Don in 2008 at the CSEA peer trainers training on confined space entry. Don was not only a passionate trainer who cared about his students but a dedicated civil servent at Cortland and a fireman. One of dons passions was flying and as a fellow pilot we shared some good stories. To Don's family my deepest condolences and prayers. His presents and companionship at the Peer trainers conferences will be missed and I am sure he will be missed everywhere he worked to improve the safety and quality of life for others. God speed, AJ Sporleder To the family of Don Gardner. I worked with Don in the CSEA peer trainer program. Don was an individual dedicated to the health and safety of others. In addition to his full time job at SUNY Cortland he was a dedicated member of the CSEA peer trainer program where he not only helped workers at SUNY Cortland and other work places to be safe at work. He will be missed. Mark Stipano