Stephentown -Donald R. Sweet went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 21, 2015.
Don was born in Rochester, NY on March 7, 1935 to John and Gertrude Sweet. Not long after, the Sweets moved East and settled in South Bethlehem, NY, their family growing by one with the addition of Don’s sister Jackie.
Don went to Ravena-Coeymans School and attended the South Bethlehem Methodist Church.
Upon graduating from high school in 1952 he enrolled in ministerial courses at Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. There he attended the First Baptist Church of Williamsport where he was appointed Director of Youth Activities.
In 1954, Don returned to South Bethlehem where he married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Rutherford. During this time he was a volunteer fireman for the South Bethlehem Fire Department and continued attending the South Bethlehem Methodist church.
In 1967, the Sweets purchased a house in Stephentown Center, NY after Don accepted a position with the United States Post Office, where he worked until his retirement thirty years later. Once retired, he worked part time for several years at Syncor International Corporation, delivering nuclear medicine to area hospitals.
The Sweets were longtime members of the West Stephentown Baptist Church. Here Don reaffirmed his relationship with Jesus and went on to serve as a deacon, trustee, treasurer, Sunday school teacher and any place else where there was a need.
Lorraine Sweet went to be with the Lord February 13, 2000.
In 2002 Don married Doris ‘Dee’ Whitman of Staten Island, NY and they eventually relocated to Venice, Florida.
Don and Dee attended the Harvest Chapel of Venice where Don had a smile for everyone and loved greeting his church family as they arrived for worship. Donald was responsible for developing a prayer ‘Hot Line’ for anyone seeking urgent prayer. He worked with Dee in providing publicity for gospel music groups performing at the Harvest Chapel, and he helped the pastor develop the Sunday bulletin and weekly prayer list.
Volunteerism was a part of his nature; Don and Dee started a ministry at several nursing homes in Venice. Donald drove people to cancer and dialysis treatments when they were unable to transport themselves. He made himself available at any hour of the day or night to help anyone for any reason. He had a special place in his heart for Pregnancy Solutions, a local group helping women with alternatives to abortion.
Outside of church, Don and Dee were active with the Sons of Norway. He also volunteered at the Venice Theatre as backstage crew and delivered Meals on Wheels for the Venice Senior Center for many years.
Donald had many, many friends who loved him in Venice as well as in upstate New York. He will be sadly missed by his family, leaving behind his wife Dee, sister Jackie, four children (Deborah, Linda, Donna, and Mark), two foster children, (Delores and Fraser (deceased), ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three stepdaughters from his marriage with Dee (Karin, Kristin and Nancy).
A memorial service will be held to remember and honor Donald at 2 pm on September 12. The service will be at the West Stephentown Baptist Church, 1672 NY Route 43, West Stephentown, NY, with a dessert reception to immediately follow, also at the church.
Please consider contributions to the Harvest Chapel of Venice Building Fund in lieu of flowers as a way of carrying on Don’s memory and legacy of devoted service to God. Donations can be sent in care of Pastor Phil Enloe, 521 Purslane Point, Venice, FL 34293.