David S. Fiske, 83, formerly of Shelburne, MA, died Friday, May 26, 2023 at St. Johnsville Rehab and Nursing Center.
Born on April 6, 1940 in Shelburne, MA, he was the son of Murray Fiske and Marion Settright Fiske. He attended Arms Academy and was a graduate of Smith Vocational and Agricultural School in Northampton, MA. After moving to New York in 1989, he had been a resident of the Sharon Springs and Cobleskill area. David was well known for his work ethic and sense of humor.
Dairy farming for most of his life, he rarely ever missed a milking. He spent some years working with great herds of cattle, such as Meredith Ayrshires of Topsfield, Massachusetts and Burley Holsteins of Paris, Kentucky before starting his own Brookwood Jersey herd.
In addition to farming, he worked secondary jobs to provide for his family, including Apex Orchards and Cobleskill Fairgrounds. When he stopped farming, he worked for Excalibur, a bull stud service, which also allowed him to enjoy some travel. Most recently he delivered for the Schoharie County Office of the Aging Meals on Wheels program where he tried to share some of his jokes, too.
He grew up in and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Shelburne. During his youth he was very active with 4-H, and enjoyed going to fairs and showing cows, and helped pass along that opportunity to his children: even taking them to a record eleven shows in one season. During his teen years, David created fond memories participating in FFA and worked his way up to the Massachusetts State FFA Vice President. In later years, facing some health challenges, he also chose to serve on the Resident Council at Palatine Nursing Home.
David took great pride in his work, loved gardening, socializing, teasing people/being teased and making people laugh.
Sharing in the loss of his passing are children, Taryn (Edward) Cooper of Owego, NY,
D. Daniel Fiske (Laura Davenport) of Sharon Springs, NY; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY 12043. A memorial service will follow at 4:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Slate Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Mr. David S. Fiske may be made to your local FFA Chapter.
Published by Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home on May 29, 2023.