McNelly, Donald Pershing

Irondequoit/Pittsford: February 5, 2017, age 96.

“My glass is half full!” This often-repeated phrase was characteristic of Don’s optimistic and robust outlook on life. A polymath with many interests and deep knowledge of numerous subjects, his glass actually overflowed.

Don’s life began modestly on a series of tenant farms in southern Ohio. As the oldest of seven children, he                   learned to work hard and be responsible. He regarded his upbringing on the farm to be invaluable to the way he lived his adult life. He excelled in school, both in academics and leadership. Don was the first in his extended family to graduate from college. A seventh generation Lutheran, he was prominent in church activities throughout his life. At age 14 he dug the basement for a new church with a team of blind horses. He oversaw the building of a church in Indiana and made wine for communion.

Don’s emphatic advice to men was: “Marry the right woman” and he did. Don met Phyllis Filbrun at 4H Camp. Theirs was a lifelong love, a marriage lasting almost 75 years. The only period they were apart was during World War II. They were opposites in many ways, but were interdependent and couldn’t exist without each other. Their only major disagreement was politics.

Don volunteered for the Navy and served as Chief Engineering Officer on the USS Kyne. His ship survived two typhoons, with waves rolling the ship more than 45°. His destroyer was the first to dock in Japan. Upon return from the war, Don and Phyllis became the parents of three children, Tom, Dan, and Nancy. His family remained his first priority all his life. He was a parent who had high expectations for his children, focusing on character and learning. Don was most proud that all his children earned advanced graduate degrees and had successful careers. He was equally proud that Phyllis obtained two degrees from the University of Rochester at age 50.

Most of Don’s work career was at St. Joe Paper Co. Promoted steadily over the years, he became a company vice-president and longtime member of the Board of Directors. He never wanted to retire, but was forced to when he developed prostate cancer. His greatest joy in retirement was being with and mentoring his grandson Nick, with whom he took many international trips.

Don served the community on the Boards of Hillside Children’s Center and Strong Children’s Hospital, and as President of the Seneca Park Zoo Society. He learned elephant handling at age 80 and gave professional and public pachyderm lectures. To raise money, he founded the Jungle Jog 5k which in 25 years has grown from 40 to 700 runners. He completed 744 marathons, including all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, and 5 continents including Antarctica. He ran across Panama, completed a relay across the U.S., and ran up the Empire State Building. He holds the world’s record for most marathons of anyone over 80. While not running, he found time to make wine, keep bees, author a book on mead, hunt mushrooms, crash a plane, and get numerous speeding tickets. His exploits were detailed in a published biography.

He was a good man who had a great wife, a great life, and who helped make the lives of others better.

Predeceased by many loved family members and survived by many others.

Service Saturday February 11^th at 11:00 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 48 Perrin St. Fairport. Gathering afterwards at the church from about 12:00-2:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Golisano Children’s Hospital, 150 Crittenden Blvd. Rochester, NY 14642 and the Seneca Park Zoo Society 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621.