Donald Sheraw

DELMAR - Donald Marion Sheraw, 78, died peacefully on Monday, February 18 2013, at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center after a long illness with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Mt. Pleasant, PA to Marion and Edith (Hout) Sheraw, Donald was the cross country captain and senior class president at Connellsville High School. He then attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA., where he received his B.A. and was an elite athlete in track and field and cross country. After graduation from college and a stint working in the Pittsburgh steel mills, Don enlisted in the United States Navy as an Officer Candidate. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy from 1956 to 1959, stationed in Key West, FLA, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Nantucket, MA. He fell in love with Nantucket, and would become a part time resident of the island throughout his life. After the Navy, Don spent several years working for Thatcher Glass in Elmira, NY. From there, he enrolled in Cornell University where he earned both an MBA and a Juris Doctor. Subsequently, Don served as the Assistant Dean of Admissions for the law school. In a historic time of desegregation, one of his primary responsibilities was to recruit minority students to attend Cornell Law School. It was at Cornell that he met his wife Sheryl. In 1975, Don moved with his family from Ithaca to Albany, NY. There he spent the rest of his career, first as the Deputy Clerk and then the Clerk of the New York State Court of Appeals. He loved and was deeply dedicated to his profession. Don was happiest spending time with his family and friends on Nantucket Island. In his free time, he was an accomplished racquet sportsman and a member of the Ridgefield Tennis Club and the University Club of Albany. Donald is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sheryl (Youde) Sheraw of Delmar, a sister Ruth Ann (Charles) Light of Langhorn , PA, two children, Thomas (Kelley) Sheraw of Delmar and Amy Messick of Roanoke, VA. He is also the proud grandfather of five boys, Jack, Ethan, and Lucas Sheraw and Donald and Ryan Messick, as well as two nieces, Susan (John) Walerski of Yardville, NJ and Jennifer (Tom) Collins of Feasterville, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 2 to 5pm. Funeral Services will be held Sunday February 24, 2013 at 3pm in First Presbyterian Church 362 State St. Albany. Interment will be private in Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Alzheimer's Assoc., Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, New York 12205.