Donald“Big Don” Cash
Saratoga Springs — Donald “Big Don” Cash, born June 9, 1949 in Edgerton, WI was welcomed into eternal peace on July 18, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Julie, his daughter, Stephanie (Justin) Hogan, son, Stephen Cash, grandsons, Cash and Hughes Hogan, sister in law Roseanne Cash, nieces Elizabeth (Keith) Steele and Emily (Jim) Farwell, brother David Cash, mother and father in law, Barbara and Lawrence Kaleta, as well as numerous friends, his beloved “track family”, and faithful “boy”, Molson.
He is preceded in death by his father, Albert Cash, mother, Mildred Cash, brother, George Cash, sister, Judy Ann Cash, sister in law, Mary Ann Fenton, many uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins and beloved dogs, Tabatha, Madison, Fenway, Sadie and Ted.
Don was born and bred a hard worker, coming from two farming families, his father’s family running the locally famous “Cash’s Dairy” in Milton Junction, WI. Out of high school Don worked at a local gas station to put himself through college at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. From there, he proudly owned and operated his own grocery store in Milton, WI. Eventually, Don took his love of all things grocery and food to begin his celebrated career at General Mills, where he met and fell in love with Julie in 1984. Don worked at General Mills for 39 years, winning the Eagle Award for Salesman of the Year multiple times, though the awards were hidden in his office behind pictures and artwork from his children. His career at General Mills was one he cherished and never gave up, even after retirement. He was seen daily checking the local Market 32, Walmart and Target for his General Mills products “for his grandkids”.
As a true horse racing fan it was destiny that Don and his family ended up in Saratoga Springs. He loved handicapping, going to the track with his family, introducing his grandsons to the sport, and spending cherished days there with his “track family”.
Don was selfless and served his family and community endlessly, asking for nothing in return. Throughout his life he worked through the nights and early mornings to never miss a game, tournament, or special moment for either of his children. He found the greatest happiness in being a dad. He was the #1 hockey dad, taking Stephen to games and tournaments across the northeast before sunrise. He loved his “hockey family”. He traveled just as far for Stephanie’s lacrosse games and made weekly visits to Nazareth College throughout her college career, always adopting her high school and college friends and teammates like his own children. He was there for everyone, at any time, before we even knew we needed him.
He was thoughtful and loved nothing more than his family, his greatest joys in life were being with his children and grandchildren. A forever Wisconsin boy at heart, Don cheered with pride for his Green Bay Packers wherever he went. He loved playing with his grandchildren, mowing his lawn, power walking, and was a local legend at grocery stores across the Capital Region. He showed his love through food and doing constant acts of kindness for everyone around him.
There will never be another husband, father, grandfather or friend as dedicated to the ones he loved.
In honor of “Big Don”, go out of your way to do something selfless for someone you love today.
Relatives and friends may call from 10 AM to 1 PM July 29, 2024 at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue Saratoga Springs NY, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 1pm. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Don’s courageous fight, “Big Don” has requested donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in his name, specializing in research of Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.
