Don Holley, a beloved champion of the East Village, was struck and killed by a car upstate early Monday morning. He was 62.
According to WKTV-Utica, Holley, who is from the area and was in town visiting friends, was taking an early-morning walk along Route 20 in the town of Sangerfield in Oneida County when he was struck by a car. Oneida County Sheriff's Deputies said that they have not located the driver who initially hit Holley.
In the East Village, Holley was a tireless volunteer in all the schools his boys, Vance and Charlie, attended. He served as president of the Earth School Parents Association and was a familiar figure in the Tompkins Square Park playground.
"Don was an education activist. He went to umpteen school board and Parent Association meetings and was always vocal about changes that were needed in East Village schools that his boys attended," his friend Bonnie Stein told us. "Don helped plan and get things done. He was a doer not just a talker. Reliable. Smart. Fun. Serious. People loved Don. Except maybe some school board officials..."
Most recently Holley had been living in Coney Island. But his presence was still felt here.
"The community is deeply saddened by the loss of this dynamic and caring human being," said his friend Tim Schellenbaum.
There's no word just yet about a memorial service.
[Image via Facebook]
