Obituary of Donald W. Stake

Schenectady - Rev. Donald W. Stake 80, of Schenectady, passed away at Ellis Hospital with his loving family at his side on Sunday, February 21, 2016. Don was born in St. Louis, MO, son of the late Bruce and Dorothy Cope Stake. He graduated from Princeton University in 1957 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960. Don was initially Assistant Pastor at Union Presbyterian Church in Schenectady from 1960 to 1966. He then became Head Pastor in 1966 from which he retired in 2001. Soon after retirement he became Public Relations Specialist for Community Hospice until 2014. Don was Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Albany from 1975-1987. He also worked in many other positions in the Presbytery of Albany, including Member of the Permanent Judicial Commission ('97-'00), and Moderator of the Presbytery of Albany from 1972-1973. He also was a delegate to the Snyod of NY in 1965, and a member of the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Northeast 1990-'96 and the Moderator from 1994-'96. Don's work in the Presbytery extended on the national level as he was Commissioner to General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church US in ('69, '73 and '93) as well as Assistant to Stated Clerk / Committee Assistant at General Assemblies 1978-86, '88, '89) He also chaired the General Assembly's Committee on Bills and Overtures ('93.) Throughout his career Don was an author and contributor to multiple church publications. He authored A Calendar of Commemoration in Call to Worship Volume 47.4.2014 by the PCUSA, as well as the book Handbook on Worship for Church Officers and Leaders in 1990. He contributed to many other publications including The ABCs of Worship (1992), the Book of Common Worship (1993), Daily Prayer (SLR5)(1987) and The Worshipbook (1970). Don was active in the Ecumenical and Interfaith community where he served as President of the Inter-Faith Commmunity (1974-'75), Member of the Joint Committee of Christians and Jews (1964-'78), Protestant Advisor appointed by Bishop Hubbard to the Commission on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs of Albany Roman Catholic Diocese (1979-'87) and a Member of the Organizing Committee of the Schenectady Inner-City Ministry (1969-71.) Don is survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Jane Stake; daughters; Jennifer (Stan) White of Cleveland, TN and Amy Jessup of Glenville, NY; Step-children Mary Lee (Chuck) Plate of NJ, Ian Douglas (Ilene) McKechnie of NJ, David (Terri) McKechnie of NJ, thirteen grandchildren; a nephew James (Terri) Carr of FL and a niece Julie(David) Shossash of OK. Don loved his family, his two cats (Billy and Ashlee). Don also loved everything Disney and spent many vacations at Walt Disney World Florida with family and friends. In his spare time, Don liked to draw and study cartoon art. He served as an editorial cartoonist for the Spotlight Newspapers from 1987-2008. Don enjoyed many quality and meaningful friendships throughout the years. Calling hours will be Thursday evening from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady. A Memorial service will be held Saturday April 23, 2016 at 11 AM at Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don's memory may be made to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.