Donald "Sonny" G. Lortie

COPENHAGEN – Donald G. “Sonny” Lortie, 80, of Deer River Road, passed away surrounded by family, Wednesday morning, April 4, 2018 at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Copenhagen. Burial will be private.  Calling hours are Friday, April 6, 2018 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc.  5702 Waters Road, Lowville.  Contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church 9790 State Route 12, Copenhagen, NY 13626 or Copenhagen Fire Department 9932 NY-12, Copenhagen, NY 13626.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years; Kathyrn; four children and their spouses, Gregory and Rose Lortie of Watertown, Jeffrey and Tammey Lortie of Copenhagen, Matthew and Linda Lortie of Rhinebeck, Kary and Ian Raddant of Skaneateles; a brother, William Lortie of Copenhagen; nine grandchildren; Adam and Ryan Lortie; Matthew Bryant; Madison, Olivia and Noah Lortie; Claire, Duncan and Kate Raddant; five great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Ashton, Arlo, Lincoln and Liam; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  He is predeceased by two sisters, Shirley Lamb and Judy Morrow.

Sonny was born on January 6, 1938 in Rutland, a son of the late Donald G. and Bertha Hasseler Lortie Sr. He graduated from Copenhagen Central School in 1956.   He worked for Bernard Carter Electric, Rutland Hills Dairy, St. Regis Paper, Carthage Railroad, Pest Control, drove school bus, and worked for Carthage Machines. In 1973, together with his wife and four children, he made his dreams come true with the purchase of his dairy farm on Deer River Road. He operated the farm with the help of his wife, children, and nephews, enjoying each and every day. He returned to driving bus for Copenhagen Central School from 1988-2008.  Sonny was active with Town Team Basketball; Slow Pitch Softball in Croghan with Carthage Machines; bowled in the Co-Ed League with his wife; and on the men’s League. He was also past Chief of the Copenhagen Fire Department and was on the Firematic’s Team.  He still holds a retired state record for the Individual Ladder.  He was a 50 year and Life Member of BPOE #1605, Lowville Lodge.  He loved camping and loved having his children home and his grandchildren around.  He also loved his horses and had tremendous respect for nature and its beauty, such as the many different shades of purple in an alfalfa field or the rising and setting of the sun. He thought there was nothing better than a warm tomato fresh from the garden with a salt shaker or a perfectly ripe, already peeled peach. He loved visiting his kids and helping them with projects around their houses.

Sonny’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to First Floor Staff at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility, Rainbow Community for their loving care and kindness shown to Sonny during his stay at the nursing home.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com .

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