Obituary of Donal B. Hyde

Donal B. Hyde
Pine Bush, NY

People often reflect on the meaning of Father at various periods in their life. Our father didn’t tell us how to live; he lived and let us watch him. Donal Benton Hyde was a Father like no other.  He was born on August 1, 1931, to Joyce and Thelma Hyde in Poughkeepsie NY. Donal passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at ORMC in Middletown.  He grew up on a farm alongside his younger brother Robert “Hoop” Hyde. Donal attended Pine Bush Schools where he played three sports. It was on the football team that he earned his nickname “Boomer”.  He graduated in 1947 and continued to work on the farm. He met the love of his life, Dorothy Pondi, at Browns Farm in Walden at a square dance.  They married October 16, 1955 and just celebrated their 63rd anniversary.

Boomer and Hoop ran the Pine Bush Gulf Station on the corner of 302 and 52 for many years.  Boomer then went to work on cars at East End Motors in Pine Bush.  He loved his Fords. He later retired from IBM East Fishkill. He was also known as a Jack of All Trades.   Boomer could fix anything and really loved helping others.  He was always the first to lend a helping hand.  Boomer was a Life Member of the Pine Bush Volunteer Fire Department.   At 87 years old he had his own lawn mowing business with many accounts in the local community. He was an avid sports fan who loved the NY Yankees, Giants & Tony Stewart.

But nothing compared to the love of his daughters.  Boomer and Dot had five girls who they all named with “D”:  Donna; Doreen; Diane; Daleann and Dottie.  Around  Pine Bush, they were the 7 D Hyde’s.  Boomer could be heard yelling at the refs at all their sporting events; always offering his “opinion”.  It wasn’t too long until the girls brought their men home and he finally got the sons he always wanted:  Bernie, Bob and Bobby.  Nothing compared to the love of being a Grandpa. He was proudly called Grandpa by Amy, Gina, Donal, Nicholas, Samantha, Stephen, Alex, Matthew, Scott, Brett and Cole. Boomer loved supporting all their sporting events, dance recitals, graduations and weddings.  

Boomer is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Hyde of Pine Bush, his daughter(s) Donna and Bernie Henke of Pine Bush, Doreen Lynch of Newburgh, Daleann Cruver of Coldenham and Dottie and Bobby Hentschel of Pine Bush, his brother Robert Hyde of Wallkill, 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Donal is predeceased by his parents, daughter Diane Hyde and son-in-law Robert Cruver.
 
He will be missed by so many.  Boomer was often referred to as the Mayor wherever he went; albeit around Pine Bush, Coldenham, and most recently Highland Manor in Middletown, often holding court at the dining room table.  He made friends to last a life time wherever he went.   

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 5 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home 1525 Burlingham RD Pine Bush NY. Firematic services will take  place at 7:30 pm.  Funeral services will be offered on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 10:00 am at the funeral home with burial to follow in New Prospect Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pine Bush Relay for Life c/o American Cancer Society 121 Executive Drive, New Windsor NY 12553 or the Pine Bush Hook & Ladder Co, Pine Bush, NY 12566. To leave a condolence please visit www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc.