WORCESTER – Donald Squires Mooney, 94, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010 at his family's homestead, which had been in the Mooney family since 1820.

He was born May 28, 1915 in Worcester, the son of Melvin P. and Adelaid (Squires) Mooney.


Don attended school at Worcester's District # 10-The Hall School House. In his later years, he proudly raised and lowered the American Flag daily for years, until the pole was knocked down in a car accident.

He married Ruth E. McIntyre, who passed away in 2004.

Don raised chickens on the family farm. He also hauled canned milk for the Worcester Creamery for many years.

Don loved being outdoors on The Mooney Farm, cutting wood, fixing up farm related machinery and his best love to tinker and fix his antique cars. He was the proud onwer of his father's 1940 Buick and other antique cars. He enjoyed driving his cars in the annual Schenevus Carnival parade, attended many car shows and also was the chauffeur for many weddings with his cars for the bride and groom, including weddings for his niece and nephew.

When Don could no longer take care of the farm, he sold it to the Preston's, maintaining lifetime rights. He was able to spend the last ten years of his life, happily living on and being part of the farm. When the Preston's started raising alpacas four years ago, Don got tremendous enjoyment from knowing this would be a "working" farm again. He would talk to anyone who would listen, (he never met a stranger) about the farm and all the different animals that had been there--from sheep to horses, cows, chickens and now the alpacas. He spent hours watching them out the window, keeping track of "going's-on's" and even got to see the first baby born. Rest in peace, dear friend, we and the farm will miss you.

Don was a member of the Worcester United Methodist Church and a former member of the Worcester Fire Department. He was a member of the Reminiscers Car Club for 32 years and recently received an honorary membership

He was predeceased by his son, Richard Donald Mooney in 1999.

He is survived by his sister, Margaret Braun formerly of Unadilla; a nephew, Frederick and wife, Mary Braun of Unadilla; a niece, Anna and husband, Norman Ritchey of Unadilla; several grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and good friends, Rodney and June Preston and John and Linda Plackis.

A graveside service at the Schenevus Cemetery will be Monday, May 24, 2010 at 12:30 p.m., with the Rev. Susan Wenner, pastor, of the Worcester United Methodist Church, officiating.

Donations may be made to the Reminiscers Car Club, Scholarship Fund, c/o Dick Powell, 96 Spruce Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.skinnerfuneralchapel.com

The E.J. Skinner Co., 155 Main St. , Worcester , is serving the family.