The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Donald Joseph Decker

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Hoosick Falls – Donald “Flea” Joseph Decker died on November 1, 2013, surrounded by his three children. He was born on March 18, 1946, to the late Edward and Rosella (Gates) Decker.
As a young man in the Vietnam era, his plans for college were disrupted by the draft, and at the age of 18 he was sent to war. His ability to run under a five minute mile with full gear on earned him the distinguished honor of joining the Green Beret attachments in Vietnam as a radio operator. He earned a Bronze Star for his service as well as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon returning stateside, he went to work at Bijur in Bennington, VT, where he worked his way up over the course of 47 years. He spent the last nine years with Bijur living in Greenville, NC, cheering on his beloved ECU Pirates.
Don was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Southern Vermont College in Bennington. He was a dedicated community member and was a member of the Elks Club in Hoosick Falls, NY, for over 40 years, President and coach for the Hoosick Falls Little League and a Board Member at the Hoosick Falls Youth Center.
In 2012 he retired from Bijur and was able to move back to his hometown of Hoosick Falls to be closer to family. He was devoted to his family and thoroughly enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. Don is pre-deceased by his older brother, Edward, his twin brother, Denny, and his younger sister, Sally. He is survived by his younger brother, Pat Decker of Pownal, VT, his three children, Robert Decker of Hoosick Falls, Scott and Aimee Decker of Sarasota, FL, and Barbara and Jon Moore of Essex Junction, VT, his seven grandchildren and a very special friend, Kathleen Ferguson. He also leaves behind the entire Village of Hoosick Falls in which he had too many friends to count. In the words of Flea, “You gotta laugh every day…”
Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, November 9, from 10 am until 1 pm. Services will be at 1 pm from the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Carknard Memorial Fund through the funeral home.