Donald P. Hoag

Brasher Falls – Donald P. Hoag, 92, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at the Highland Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family. Arrangements are entrusted with the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Don was born on February 20, 1923 in Brasher Falls, son of the late Albert and Mabel (Kennehan) Hoag. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Brasher Falls in 1941 and went to work at the P. E. Kennehan Company in Brasher Falls in the Machine Shop. Don went on to work at ALCOA in Massena in the Physical Testing Laboratory. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1943 and graduated from Aviation Mechanics School in Memphis, Tennessee. He served in the South Pacific, stationed on bases on Iwo Jima, Guam and Saipan, with duty on B-24 Patrol Bombers as an Aviation Machinist Mate and Tail Gunner. He was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1950, Don established Hoag Oil Company in Brasher Falls. He married Joan Pellegrino on August 8, 1951 at St. Lawrence Church, with whom he shared 51 years prior to her passing on March 31, 2003. After he sold the Hoag Oil Company, he went to work at Dwyer's Home Improvement Co. in Massena and then at SUNY @ Potsdam as a grounds man and greenhouse attendant. His last employment was at Home Depot in Massena in the Lawn and Garden Dept., retiring after five years service at the age of 87. Don was a communicant of St. Patrick Church; a member and past commander of the American Legion Post #514 in Winthrop, also serving on the Post Rifle Squad, participating in many funeral services for veterans. He loved being outdoors; enjoying hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, biking, and tending to vegetable and flower gardens, strawberry and raspberry bushes. Biking was his favorite sport for many years; daily rides averaged 20 miles with one day trip covering 100 miles, but had to retire the bike riding at the early age of 79. Don is survived by his children; two sons, Timothy and Michael of Brasher Falls, two daughters, Barbara and Tony Zappia of Massena and Julie Hoag of Brasher Falls; grandchildren, Michael Hoag of San Diego , Martin Hoag of Newport News, VA, Karen Irizarry of Chicago; great grandchildren, Ian Hoag and Emma and Manny Irizarry; nephew, Don and Laurie LaFave of Brasher Falls, nieces, Mary Elizabeth Gingras of Doylestown, PA, Jan Hall of Webster, Debbie and Reed Ashley of Spring Hill, TN, Val and Jim Stickney of Norwood and Andre' and Al Tower of Chateaugay. Always close to his heart was the memory of his wife, Joan, his sisters, Patricia Hoag and Constance "Connie" LaFave, and his niece, Krista LaFave. Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Don's Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Patrick Church in Brasher Falls on Tuesday at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Brasher Falls. A luncheon Celebrating Don's Life will follow the burial at the American Legion Post # 514 in Winthrop. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express an act of kindness in the form of a donation, please consider Tri Town Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 238, Brasher Falls, NY 13613 or Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, Inc., 6805 US Hwy 11, Potsdam, NY 13676. Memories and condolences can be shared with his family and friends at www.hammillfh.com.