Obituary of Donald James Womer

GUILDERLAND – Donald James Womer, 76, of Guilderland, New York, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his two children, on November 5, 2022. Don graduated from Philip Schuyler class of 1964 and the College of St Rose with a degree in Business Administration. Don served as Sergeant in the Army in 1966 and served for 2 yrs. He spent 17 years in the Army Reserves. He worked at the New York State Department of Mental Health and Hygiene for decades as a contract manager. Don also volunteered as a fireman. Our Dad was humble, stoic, and frugal, so he would have had three reasons to hate this obituary, but he’s dead, and we are not. Dad was a charming guy. There wasn’t an aide, nurse, or neighbor who would forget him. This charm was what let his coworkers get out of the building while he talked a troubled man out of whatever dangerous act he had planned. His charm was not the charm of someone who wanted something from you. In fact, it was not charm at all, he simply cared about people. It was so surprising that it just felt like charm. This served him well as a volunteer for the Community Hospice. Dad didn’t want for much, which was good because he worked for the State. He married the love of his life! He loved his awesome kid, and also Francine. But those dogs?!? He loved those rescue dogs from a special place in his heart that is inaccessible to bipeds. They loved him back, and so did we, so he didn’t need anything else. Dad’s stoicism meant he didn’t talk about his service in the US Army. We knew he enlisted and was sent to Germany for the remainder of the Vietnam War. That may have exhausted his lifetime supply of luck. By luck of the genetic draw, he had two very painful and rare diseases. That stoicism meant he didn’t talk about those. He should have. There were so many, many people that loved him, who wanted him to open up, not just because they loved him but also because a burden shared is a burdened halved. He didn’t start opening up until after Lynne passed. He couldn’t be left alone so Francine brought him everywhere, lunch with her friends (he charmed them), out shopping, running errands. They became best buddies and talked and bonded in a way they hadn’t before. He even started to like her documentaries and John Prine (to which they sang badly in the car). Matt might be the most awesome kid, but Francine is the luckiest. Don was predeceased by his wife Lynne Womer (Gonyea). He is survived by his children, Francine Amiot and Matthew and his wife Lauren Morris, his grandchildren Adam Amiot and his wife Izabela (Castro), and Claire Amiot, his brother Earl and his wife Jacqueline (Carter) and his sister Mary Mazurkiewicz and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. And of course, little Archie. The family wishes to thank Dr Gregg Gerety, Naomi from Landmark, Amy, Melissa, and Aleta from the Heart Failure Clinic at AAC and Lacey from the Community Hospice for all helping dad to be able to pass at home. Cremation took place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. Memorial Service will commence at 10:30AM on Monday, November 14th in the Chapel of Simple Choices, Inc., 218 2nd Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Inurnment with military honors will follow the service in the Gerald B.H. Solomon – Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mohawk Humane Society, at https://mohawkhumane.org, in honor of Don’s love of rescue dogs. To leave a special message for the Womer Family, please visit: SimpleChoicesCremation.com