Dante "Don" Dominic Sciole, 86, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., passed away on May 23rd, 2024, in his home surrounded by family after his battle with cancer. Don was a decorated Naval Veteran who served from 1955 to 1959 and received an honorable discharge at the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. His naval career began with time on the USS Intrepid. He then served as a Communications Navigation Technician on Constellation airplanes for the Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12 stationed at the Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii.

After his honorable discharge in 1959 he continued his career in the armed forces for the U.S. Air Force Civilian Service as a Title ATD Manager for the flight simulator. It is this work that brought Don and his young family to Plattsburgh, N.Y. His career with the Air Force brought him to air bases around the country in Texas, Oklahoma, Connecticut, New York, Nebraska, and Virginia. Don Sciole was born in the Bronx, N.Y., to Margaret "Margie" Lynch and Dante "Corandino, Danny" Sciole" Desiderioscioli." He grew up in Astoria and Woodside, N.Y., and is one of four children to Margie and Danny. He is survived by his sister Patricia Holmes and her daughter Jaqueline Wagner, his sister Claudia Merck and her sons Lewis Merck and Larry Merck, and his brother Roger Sciole.

Don was an involved brother in the lives of his siblings. Some of his early jobs included delivery boy for the newspaper and local butcher. Neighborhood pastimes in Woodside and Astoria included stick ball, baseball, hand ball, cycling, swimming and high board diving.

His first wife and mother of his children, Kathleen "Kay" Emma McWilliams Sciole, predeceased him in 1995 after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by a loving and large family with four children and three grandchildren: Dean Sciole and his wife Tianshu Liu Sciole and their children Emma Kay Sciole and Evan Don Sciole of Shanghai, China; David Sciole of South Fork, Colo.; Dominic Sciole of Silverthorne, Colo.; and Kathleen Sciole and her daughter Adaline Danger Azimov of Plattsburgh, N.Y. His extended family was of great significance to Don; he is survived by first wife's family of Jane (McWilliams) Tibaldi and Joe Tibaldi and their children and spouses, Chris and Andra Tibaldi and Ariana Tibaldi and Kay Mittal.

He and his then wife, Kay, understood that the North Country winters were forbearing if you let them be. Together they embraced the abundant ice and snow and taught themselves the sports of skating and skiing at the same time as teaching their children. Beartown Ski Area became the family encampment. The family has been forever hooked as winter athletes, now encouraging the next generation of grandkids to skate and ski their way through the winter doldrums.

Don gave to his family through altruistic efforts. In his children's youth he volunteered as the area hockey scheduler to cultivate his three boys love the game. Encouraging athleticism in his children was effortless, as Don himself was an active athlete in triathlons.

As his children grew, so did the families love of all things active and outdoors. Don lived through his children's passions and supported them through being present, participating in sport, and volunteering at events. He and his brother, Roger, longed for the annual 24 Hours of Moab Mountain Bike Race in Utah where they were camp and pit crew for his son Dominic's races. This same zest for athletic encouragement was transitioned to his daughter Kathleen's running adventures. Again years later Don and Roger volunteered as race crew for the 24 hour Adirondack Ragnar Relay for Kathleen, resurrecting their skill sets for athletic support.

He traveled the world to see his children. In China he climbed the Great Wall and did motorcycle adventures with his son Dean and daughter-in-law Tianshu Liu. His love of fishing and eagerness to try rock climbing brought him to the Adirondacks of New York and Devils Tower of Wyoming with his sons David and Dominic.

As an adult Don's pastimes included supporting the Yankees as he's been a lifelong fan, ballroom dancing, fishing, and woodworking. Tinkering in his woodshop kept him youthful to the end.

In his years working for the Air Force, Don traveled the US and amassed a strong network of friendships that to this day remain in his life. He is forever grateful for the companionship of his Cliff Haven neighbors, Air Force colleagues, and Sunday Stewart's Coffee Crew. Thank you all for your support of Don and his family.

He left this earth after a courageous and strong battle against cancer, with his family at his side. His ashes will be scattered from a naval ship during a burial at sea ceremony in Hawaii to be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Beartown Ski Area (www.beartownskiarea.com) and/or Hospice of the North Country (www.hospicenc.org).

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 518-643-9055. To make a floral purchase, offer an online condolence, share a symbolic gesture, or share a photo in memory of Don Sciole please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com