Tuesday, February 23, 2016

In Requiem

REQUIEM aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that my father, Rev. Don Stake, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016. I was fortunate that he was able to make one last trip down here in October, where we discussed his plans for a book on liturgy he was working on based on this blog. Please know that all of you who read and commented on the blog meant a lot to him, and he enjoyed so much the interaction and discussion, as well as the process of putting his thoughts together and sharing. Thank you all. I am admin on the blog, and will leave it up indefinitely, as I like to be able to link to some of the posts and share when needed. I hope you will find it useful as well.
Blessings,
Jennifer Stake White

Schenectady, NY - Rev. Donald W. Stake 80, of Schenectady, passed away at Ellis Hospital with his loving family at his side on Sunday, February 21, 2016.

Don was born in St. Louis, MO, son of the late Bruce and Dorothy Cope Stake. He graduated from Princeton University in 1957 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960. Don was initially Assistant Pastor at Union Presbyterian Church in Schenectady from 1960 to 1966. He then became Sr. Pastor in 1966 from which he retired in 2001. Soon after retirement he became Public Relations Specialist for Community Hospice until 2014.

Don was Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Albany from 1975-1987, and an editorial Cartoonist for the Spotlight Newspapers from 1987 to 2008. Throughout his career he was a contributor to multiple church publications including the Book of Common Worship. He was active in the Ecumenical and Interfaith community where he served on many committees.

Survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Jane Stake, his daughters; Jennifer (Stan) White of Cleveland, TN and Amy Jessup of Glenville, NY; Step-children Mary Lee (Chuck) Plate of NJ, Ian Douglas (Ilene) McKechnie of NJ, David (Terri) McKechnie of NJ, thirteen grandchildren; a nephew James (Terri) Carr of FL and a niece Julie(David) Shorrosh of OK.

Don loved his family, his two cats (Billy and Ashlee) as well as everything Disney, and also enjoyed many quality and meaningful friendships throughout the years.

Calling hours will be Thursday evening from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady. A Memorial service will be held Saturday April 23, 2016 at 11 AM at Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don's memory may be made to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.

To leave a special message for Don's family please visit
www.jonesfh.net