Don served with the US Air Force. He was a 1958 graduate of Columbia High School and went on to SUNY Brockport for his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Health and Physical Education, later completing advanced degrees in school administration at University at Albany. Don began his teaching and coaching career at Churchville-Chili High School, moving in 1970 to Scotia-Glenville, where he became that district’s first Drug and Health Education Coordinator and, later, Assistant High School Principal. In 1979, Don moved to Trumansburg, where he enjoyed 10 years as High School Principal, before becoming assistant superintendent of the Vestal Central School District. Continuing to progress up the administrative ladder, Don first became superintendent of schools in Mt. Markham, then returned to western New York in 1992, spending the rest of his full-time career as superintendent of the Livonia Central School District. Although he officially retired in 1997, Don was believed he had more to contribute to the field of educational administration. Thus in his retirement, he enjoyed numerous interim positions as principal and superintendent in Perry, Dansville, Geneseo. Alexander, and Warsaw Central School districts. Throughout his “retirement,” Don served as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Educational Administration at The College at Brockport, and was proud to spend several years as chair of that department. In 2011, he returned to the K-12 field as superintendent of the Keshequa Central School District, from which he retired in 2014. A Masters level track and field athlete, Don competed in the Empire State Games, medaling in discus and shot put. With his wife, Sarah, Don bred Smooth Fox Terriers under the Foxcove kennel name and was a longtime member of the American Fox Terrier Club where he served on the Board of Governors until his death. He was proud to help found and serve as first president of the Lake Effect Fox Terrier Club of Western New York. In addition, Don was a former Rotarian (Trumansburg), member of the Trumansburg American Legion, and former member of the Silver Lake Country Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved camping, gardening, bird watching, golfing and being outdoors. He had a glorious bass baritone voice and sang in many church choirs during his younger years.
He is survived by his wife; Sarah (Perkins) Covell whom he married on March 14, 2000; a daughter Michelle Strenk of Scotia; sons Scott (Christine) Covell of Fairport and Tom (Cheryl) Covell of Trumansburg; step-daughter Keturah (Vincent Reedhead) Bosarge of Perry; step-son Adrian (Jessica) Bosarge of Lockport; sisters Lucy Ortega of Cedar Rapids, IA and Sue (Russell) Arelian of Sand Lake NY; brother Charles (Carolyn) Covell of Calcium NY; 10 grandchildren, Matthew and Tyler Strenk, Sam, Nick and McKenzie Covell, Josephine, Lillian, Sydney and Molly Covell and Gideon Bosarge, along with many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to acknowledge the medical team of Strong Memorial Hospital’s 8-3400 unit for their untiring care and compassion. He knew he was in the best of hands and hearts, and for that we are profoundly grateful. Family and friends may call from 1:00-2:00PM on Sunday April 3, 2016 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530. A Celebration of Life will follow visitation at 2:00PM on Sunday April 3rd at the Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the American Fox Terrier Club Rescue Fund, c/o Susan Hogan, Treasurer, 133 Weston Rd., Plainfield CT 06374. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, New York 14530.
