Mr. Donald R. Votra, 81, passed away Thursday, January 6th, at Samaritan Medical Center, after a long courageous battle with lung cancer.
Calling hours will be 4-7pm, Friday, January 14th, at the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton. The Funeral will be private on Saturday at the funeral home. A Spring burial will be in St. Vincent of Paul Cemetery in Cape Vincent.
Donald was born August 17th, 1940 in Cape Vincent the son of Raymond and Ruth Bourcy Votra. He spent his entire life on the family farm.
After graduating from high school in 1959, he worked full time along side his father on the dairy farm. After his father died in 1968, he purchased the farm, keeping a promise he made to his father to keep the farm running. He provided a home for his mother and sister, often working from 5am until 8:30pm, 7 days a week.
During his farming career, he won many awards for his milk production and cattle herd. He never bosted about those awards because he was a humble man of great character.
Donald loved his land. After selling his dairy herd in the early 2000’s, he continued raising heffers and eventually started a small dairy herd, which he sold in 2012. After retiring, he went to work for his cousin, working on his dairy farm and working the land.
He loved his land, he would not sell the farm, but instead chose to lease the land so he could watch crops grow and keep the land productive. He was a true farmer.
Donald never married, but enjoyed spending time with his nieces, nephews, and cousins. He had a great love for children.
In the last few years of his life, he enjoyed driving around the countryside, and going to the amish farms.
Donald is predeceased by his parents, and two sisters, Elsie Garnsey, and Rose Votra.
He is survived by his brother Marvin of Cape Vincent, two sisters, Doris Brown of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and Marilyn (Dennis) Espinosa of Salina, Kansas; several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was dearly loved and will be missed immediately.
Francis Votra
The statement, “He was a humble man of great character,” says it all about Donald Votra. Donald will always be an inspiration to people who knew him.
Marilyn
Thank you so much. We all have such wonderful memories on this farm, especially around the kitchen table. I will always call this my home. This will remain the family farm as long as i am alive. I’m sure you are welcome to visit any time. We love you. Marvin,Doris and Marilyn.
Kay Kemmis
Thoughts and prayers for the family of a former classmate. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much. He will be dearly missed.
mary e green
Marvin,Wendy and Marvin and familiies… Donald was a one of a kind !! An awesome and amazing man who we enjoyed knowing. He will be remembered by many and missed by as many if not more!!! He was loved by all who knew him!!! He had a great love for the land and his family…RIP Don
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much. Yes he was dearly loved by many, so much more than he gave himself credit for. He was an honest hardworking man like no other I know
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
I just talked to Doris and she reminded me that you were married to Richard Yott I’m sorry I didn’t recognize your name. Thank you for your kind words.
Richard Booth
Very nice person. Always liked to talk with him when he was driving around the village. Dick Booth
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much. He was a great man of noble character. He will be missed so much.
Dan Votra
I was happy to be part of Donald’s 80th birthday celebration in the front yard of the farm a couple of years ago. A man dedicated to the land and its creatures, Donald spoke through his actions. He leaves the world a better place. Dan Votra
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much. Donald always enjoyed having you come to visit. We have a lot of wonderful memories on this farm from when we were kids and your parents brought you here. I’m sure you are always welcome to come visit anytime. Marvin, Doris and Marilyn.
Tina Mora
A very loving, gentle soul. One of the best people I’ve ever known.
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Tina. I just realized that the last time I saw you was when Rosie died. Time sure does fly by. That was in 2010. Hope you are doing well. I do appreciate you reaching out to us. Yes he was a great man and will be missed immensely.
Greg Booth
I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to work on Donny’s farm for 3 summers during my teenage years bailing hay alongside my grandfather Pete Bourcy. I learned a great deal about work ethnic and character from Donny. He was a kind man and will be missed.
Greg Booth
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much for your kind words about our brother. I never knew you worked for Donald in the summertime, however I remember your grandfather helping on many occasions. You certainly couldn’t have had a better role model to learn work ethics from. He was a very hardworking man who never complained about how many hours he worked. Marvin, Doris and Marilyn
Donald and JoAnne Yott
We are so sorry for your loss. We have great memories visiting the farm.
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you so much. Yes we certainly had many great times visiting each other’s farms and fun with cousins. The memories go on forever even though we can’t see each other very often. Donald told me you came down to the farm for a visit recently. He always enjoyed seeing cousins. Marvin, Doris and Marilyn.
Rich Potter
I am very sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great guy and had a huge heart. To all of the family my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thanks Rich. I’m sure you have fond memories of the farm and Donald. You are right he was a great man. I appreciate you reaching out to us. Marilyn
Michael W. Grant
Take care my friend. Always enjoyed our conversations about farming years since gone by, whenever you pulled up in your truck to say hello and to visit a spell as they say. We talked about how farms used to be, 20, 30 maybe 40 cow dairies. No bulk milk tanks just cans that you had to pull out of the milk cooler. I used to ride around with my father when he drove around the countryside picking up their milk, often heading out at 5:00 A.M. He used to have two milk routes that he and my brother Jerry took care of. There were quite a few dairies in this small community back then. Most everyone was able to make an honest living just as you did for so many years. I have been told that the hay in Heaven is always green and that the corn never stops growing, and never too much rain – just enough, so I guess you will be quite busy in your “new life”.
Will miss your smile and friendly wave as you drove by our house on your way to the Cape. You were one of a kind my friend. Rest in Peace Donald. Say hello to your mother and father for Beverly and I and tell them that we often think and talk of them too.
Mike and Bev Grant
Marilyn Votra Espinosa
Thank you for your nice comments. So many will miss his drive by waves and smile. He was a wonderful man. I know he loved to talk about farming and if you could get him to talk he was quite a talker otherwise he was pretty quiet. Marvin, Doris and Marilyn
Joyce DePalma
So many happy memories of our years visit to Uncle Ray anAunt RuthI admired the dedicaion of Donald N Marvin. They dont make them like you gentlemen anymore Love u an thank you. Rip peace Don.