Donald Schel

Donald “Don” Schel, 74, formerly of Farmingville, Long Island and 30 years residing in Norwich, died in his home in the presence of his family on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Don was born in The Haag, Netherlands on February 25, 1949, the son of Leonardas and Yvette (Poelvedere) Schel. At the age of 5, Don and his family migrated to the United States and eventually settled on Long Island. He attended Half Hollow Hills High School in Melville, NY. Don worked for Waldbaums Super Markets for 25 years in the loss prevention security division of the chain. Don and his wife, Josephine “Jo” relocated to Chenango Lake in 1992 before moving to Norwich for the last 25 years. While in Norwich, Don and Jo, founded Total Koi Fish Food, a fish food product manufactured in Pennsylvania and packaged at CWS in Norwich.

Don took great pleasures in his many gardens, including several koi ponds. He enjoyed to surf fish in Florida, was an avid golfer, and was a phenomenal grandfather, something he loved most of all. Don loved mowing his lawn, or as he called in “his therapy.”

On June 29, 1969, Don married Josephine Pedone, who survives. He is also survived by his two children, Loretta (Owen) Watstein, of Merrick, NY and Donald (Kristen) Schel, of Cobleskill, NY; grandchildren, Skylar Watstein, Shelby Watstein, Holden Schel, and Oliver Schel; siblings, Maria (Charles) Wagner, Larry (Rita) Schel, and Charles Schel. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his step-father, Joseph Auricchio.

A memorial service for Don will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cobleskill United Methodist Church, 109 Chapel St, Cobleskill, NY 12043. Burial will immediately follow in Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.

Contributions in Don’s memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 33-39 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815.