Ilion - It’s with a heavy heart that our family shares the passing of a beloved husband and father, Donald “Pop” Brien, age 82, of Ilion, New York. Donald left this earthly world after a courageous and admirable fight with cancer to be with his heavenly Father on Friday, March 24, 2023. Donald was born in Cold Spring, New York, on May 14, 1940, to Robert Wales Brien and Anna Burns Brien. He was a rambunctious child who often got into a “pickle” or two, as he would say. When he was 4 years old, his family moved to Mohawk, New York. He enjoyed a life filled with neighborhood shenanigans alongside his Columbia Street Gang. In fact, he met his future father-in-law when on a dare, he threw a rock over the electric wire which hit smack-dab on top of his new car. His early years consisted of family chores and going to school. Many times he said, “The only good thing about school were sports and meeting the love of his life, Phyllis Safford,” who he literally ran into in the school hallway knocking her and her books down. After graduating from Mohawk High School in 1958, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country nearly 5 years. He married Phyllis on May 19, 1962, and they shared almost 61 years of love, happiness, heartache, and adventures together. They raised 7 children, and he was an ever present and guiding factor in their lives and in the lives of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. A simple yet remarkable man, his greatest joy was his family. The things in life that gave him much joy and happiness were Brien family dinners, vacations together, Sunday drives, picnics, fireside stories, and adventures at Green Camp exploring and sharing the outdoors. He was an attentive listener, an animated storyteller, and believed the foundation of life were the principles of faith, family and love, which he instilled in us all. He was predeceased by his parents; in-laws, Randall and Louise Safford; brother, Robert Brien; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Bill Loomis; sister-in-law and her husband, Barbara and Richard McGraw; and his grandchildren, Kylie Dunckel and Caleb Brien. As the angels have now safely carried him home, he leaves behind his loving wife, Phyllis, his Honey; his children LouAnn (Rich) Roberts, Barbara (Chris) Seeger, Randall Brien, Donald (Karla) Brien, Jodi (Dave) Dunckel, Michael (Erin) Brien, and Patrick (Kate) Brien; sister Irene Brien and sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Melvin Kubecka. He also leaves behind his cherished nephew and wife, Rich and Leslie McGraw, whom he considered a fifth son, 30 grandchildren and great grandchildren who were his passion that made life worth living; numerous nieces and nephews, and family and friends; especially Dave & Annette Parker, the Larson Family, and the Armory Street Gang who he shared countless memories throughout the years. Donald wanted to share a small Irish blessing he was fond of: May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand! We invite you to share in the celebration of Donald’s life on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego Street, Ilion, New York. Calling hours will be from 12:00-2:00pm with a service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, Donald has requested donations in support of K9’s for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. donate@k9sforwarriors.org Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family would also like to send many thanks to the kind staff of Hospice, Dr Desai’s Office, Dr. LaGrant’s Office, Dr. Ramovic-Zobic, Faxton/St Luke’s Regional Cancer Center, and numerous individuals who have reached out during this difficult journey. To leave condolences for Donald's family, please visit www.whiter-hendrix.com