Donald Duso

Donald K. Duso, age 78, of 2 Crescent Bay Drive, Saranac Lake, New York died Sunday, January 10, 2010 at home.

Don married Cherie Odone at their home in Saranac Lake on September 16, 2005.

He was born on December 26, 1931 the son of Harry E. and Sylvia (Kimball) Duso. Don was a life long resident of the area and had owned and operated Crescent Bay Inc., where he sold and repaired boats and snowmobiles, rented cabins and ran a marina and general store on Lower Saranac Lake. The business was started by Don's father in 1924.

Don was a member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department for almost 54 years and was currently serving as the village's fire chief at the time of his death. Don joined the fire department in April 1956. He was elected by its members to serve as fire chief from 1983-86, 1988-91, 2003-2005 and 2007-present. Don held many other offices in the Department over his 54 year career there.

Don also served as chairman of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee for at least 23 years. He served as chairman of the Winter Carnival Committee from 1985 until he stepped down last year. He was elected king of the Carnival in 1988. Don had been involved in the carnival since 1955 when he began cutting blocks of ice used to construct the Ice Palace, a task he performed each year. He used a gas-powered saw his father Harry built in 1939.

Mr. Duso was chosen as the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year in 1984. He was also a Veteran of the United States Army serving in the Korean War. After honorably serving his country, he returned to Saranac Lake to join his father in the family business.

As a 10-year-old boy in the early 1940’s, Don gained notoriety when he helped rescue Albert Einstein, a frequent summer visitor to Saranac Lake, after Einstein's sailboat overturned on Lonesome Bay.

Don was predeceased by his late wife Sandy Duso, his brother Harry Edward Duso, and Harry’s son Tad.

He is survived by his wife Cherie of Saranac Lake, son Donald Kimball Duso of Saranac Lake, daughter Valerie Ann Duso of Piercefield NY, step daughter Tracy Elizabeth Degon and her husband Michael of Laurel DE, stepdaughter Theresia Golluscio of Vestal NY, stepdaughter Caroline Oesch of West Palm Beach FL, grandchildren Tyler Kimbal Duso of Saranac Lake, NY, Michael Zalenski of Denver PA and Christopher Zalenski of Saranac Lake, and a niece and nephew. Don is also survived by his long time secretary and friend, Tami Salls Donaldson.

He was a member of the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid where he accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized in Mirror Lake. After his baptism, Don continued to share his Christianity in his quiet and subtle way.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Wednesday January 13, 2010 from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM. A fireman’s prayer service will take place at 8:45 PM on Wednesday evening. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake with Rev. Mark Demers of ADK Community Church of Lake Placid officiating. A private family burial service will immediately follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery. Following the private burial service family and friends are invited to a reception at the Saranac Lake Moose Club.

Family and friends can make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department or the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guest book at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

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