Obituary of Donald Eric Pearson

CLIFTON PARK – Donald Eric Pearson, 85, of Clifton Park, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Born in Bergenfield, N.J., to Edward and Alice (Johnson) Pearson, Don was the second of their four children. The Pearsons eventually settled in South Euclid, Ohio, and after high school, Don attended Muskingum College (now University) in New Concord, Ohio. Don majored in Economics, Business Administration and History. He was a proud member of the Mace Club and received multiple honors for his outstanding qualities of scholarship, leadership, and character, including mention in the 1959 Who's Who's in American Universities and Colleges. As a junior, Don met Rebecca Cole, a young freshman from Pittsburgh, PA., starting what became a 65-year love affair. Don and Becky were married three months after his graduation in 1959. After a brief stint with Ohio Bell, Don moved his young family to the Rochester, N.Y. area where he began more than 40 years of work in higher education administration. During that time Don and Becky raised three children and were blessed with many wonderful friends as his career progressed from the University of Rochester to a consortium of New Hampshire colleges and universities to the Rhode Island School of Design and finally to St. Lawrence University, where he served as vice president of Business and Finance for more than a decade. Two years after his retirement from St. Lawrence, Don was recruited to work at Keuka College, where he spent almost five years before the arrival of grandchildren led to a final retirement and a move to Glens Falls, N.Y., to be closer to family. Don and Becky relocated to Clifton Park in 2019. Don was devoted to his wife and family. Time spent together on Lake Winnipesaukee every summer for more than 30 years was cherished by them all. Don loved numbers, logic puzzles, antiques, auctions, art, history and mystery novels, golf, the Cleveland Browns and antique brass doorknobs. He was loved by his family and friends for his integrity, intelligence, quick wit, and quiet generosity. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Becky; his children, Kristine Pearson of Branchport, N.Y., Douglas Pearson (Barbara Stone) of Womelsdorf, PA., and Jennifer (Kenneth) Shea of Burnt Hills, N.Y.; his beloved grandchildren, Molly, Abigail, and Jack Shea; his sister, Lois (John) Griffith, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Arthur and Edward, and his sister-in-law, Mary Cleary Maund. Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 for family and friends. Donations in Don's memory can be made to Muskingum University in New Concord, OH. Fond Memories and Expressions of Sympathy may be shared with the Pearson Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com