Obituary of Donald Harkness

Donald E. Harkness died peacefully in his sleep at his Huntington home in the early morning hours of October 20th, 2019, after a brief battle with pneumonia. 

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1930, he was raised during the Great Depression and WWII.  He developed a life-long love of learning, the English language, literature (especially Shakespeare) and art from his mother and graduated from Yale University with an MA in Art History.  During the Korean War he was stationed in Germany working for Air Force intelligence, returning to civilian life in 1957.  By 1959 he took employment as an English teacher at Manhasset Public Schools, where he rose through the administrative ranks retiring as Superintendent of Schools.  In his retirement he founded Educorps, a pro bono group of retired teachers and educators dedicated to giving assistance to NYS schools in need of help; and co authored "A WWI Adventure, the Life and Times of Captain Donald E. Harkness, RNAS, RAF".

He loved people, teaching and literature, so he decided to combine the three and taught several courses of Shakespeare at Hofstra University to other teachers.  He was a master wordsmith, always quick with a Shakespearian quote, a famous and timely poem, or an apropos Latin phrase.

Widowed one year, he is survived by his five children: Bruce, Jeffrey, Timothy, Christopher, and Victoria as well as his three grandchildren: Carl, Daniel, and Theodore.  Much loved by family, friends and colleagues, he will be missed.

Service: Woodbury United Methodist Church, Woodbury, NY; Sat. Nov 23 at 11:30.

Interment: Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY; Sun. Nov 24 at 11:30 AM.