Lewis Addison Donaldson, January 13, 1933 – July 15, 2026
Born and raised in Mansfield Township, NJ, Lew passed away peacefully on the farm he lived on and tended to over his remarkable 93 years, surround by family.
Lew is survived by his high school sweetheart Helen (nee Korbylo), their children: Gary (Sharon), David (Lois), Debbie (Roger Barnes), Donna (Mark Allen), and Greg (Katie), daughter-in-law Cindy, and his brother Philip. Lew was the treasured Pop Pop to his many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also leaves behind a large extended family and many friends.
Lew was predeceased by his parents Roy and Catherin (nee Cuff) Donaldson, son Bob Donaldson, brother Wally Donaldson, sister Gail Donaldson, and his half-siblings Ruth, Evelyn and Roy Edward Donaldson.
In 1906, his grandfather traded a house in West Orange, NJ for a small farm in Mansfield Township, Warren County, NJ. As a result of the property swap 6 generations of Donaldsons have been blessed to call the farm home. After graduating from Hackettstown High School in 1952 he fully immersed himself in the family dairy farm, married Helen in 1953 and they started their family shortly thereafter. Over the years Lew’s father Roy, and later Lew, purchased additional acreage expanding to what is Donaldson’s Farm today. Lew was a steward of the land and spent his entire life on the property he humbly tended alongside his sons Gary, David and Greg, grandson Justin and nephew Jeff.
In the mid 80’s, when milk prices bottomed out, Lew made the brave decision to embark on a new farming endeavor, sold off the dairy cows and transitioned to crop farming. Lew wholly supported his sons as they created their own lines of business. Gary began a wholesale operation, David and Bob opened the Greenhouse and Greg started the farm market in the bed of Lew’s pickup truck at the end of the lane.
Lew adored his daughters who, as children, both helped Helen at the house while the boys helped on the farm. Some of Debbie and Donna’s favorite memories were when they went on adventures down to the barn and helped their dad with the farm chores. He was so proud of their accomplishments and encouraged both girls as they started their families and later embarked on careers in the medical field. More recently Lew looked to both of his girls for their invaluable input as his health declined.
Lew eagerly adapted to the incredible advances in farming technology. He had a front row seat as farming transformed from horse-drawn plows, to tractors with radios and air conditioning to today’s GPS enabled tractors. He had a keen interest in the advances, watching YouTube videos of farming around the world until his final days.
In addition to cultivating the land, Lew has a storied history of serving the farming community in a vast array of roles including: Chairman of the Warren County Soil Conservation District for 32 years, the Mansfield Township Planning and Adjustment Board for 30 years, the Agway Petroleum Co-Op Board for 10 years, the USDA Farm Service Agency for six years and the Board of Directors of NJ Farm Credit. In May 2023, Lew was inducted into the Hackettstown Area Senior Hall of Fame for his extensive contribution to farming and the greater Hackettstown community. His proficiency in and love for farming, his community relationships, and his dedication served him well in his service to agriculture. The Soil Conservation role included traveling the country for conferences. Those conferences turned into mini vacations for Lew and Helen which allowed them to visit every US state except Arkansas.
It was only last June that Lew had to take what we all hoped was a pause from farming, to focus on his health. Lew begrudgingly endured the time off but took great pleasure spending the time with his family, who embraced every moment and surrounded him with love. The entire family rallied and created meal plans, coordinated in-home care, supported Helen and each other, and gratefully spent precious time with Lew. His smile would light up when folks stopped by to chat or bring him goodies. He had a great affinity for ice cream, chocolates and rice pudding and always had a stash nearby, unless Helen got to it first. Fortunately for Lew, his niece Neilie who was instrumental in coordinating his care, quietly and steadily replaced any pilfered treats. In addition, Lew was able to remain comfortably at home due to the loving care of an extended family member who shared Lew’s love of ice cream, local history and genealogy.
Lew’s high school yearbook quote is “A fellow worth knowing, and worth knowing well” and if you were lucky enough to spend time with him, you already know truer words couldn’t be spoken. His absence is profound but his radiant smile and twinkling blue eyes, his chuckling laughter and quiet but ever-present love and admiration for his family and our farm will be at the forefront of our hearts and minds as we continue to tend to his legacy.
Visitation will be at Cochran’s Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ on Friday, July 24, 2026 from 4-8 pm (Service at 7:30pm). Saturday morning @ 10:00 am we will convene at Cochran’s for a procession through the farm then to his interment at Union Cemetery, 151 Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown. Following interment there will be light refreshments at Donaldson’s Farm Market, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, NJ.
If you would like to send flowers, Calico Country Flowers can be reached at 908-852-0556 or https://www.calicocountryflowers.com/
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Lew’s honor to the following organizations:
-Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Avenue, Newton, NJ 07860 or https://karenannquinlanhospice.org/donate/
-The NJ Future Farmers of America: New Jersey FFA Foundation Inc., PO BOX 214, Allentown, NJ 08051 (memo: in memory of Lewis Donaldson)
-Meals on Wheels Program, 1 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere, NJ 07823
For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com
13 Condolences for Donaldson, Lewis A.
Condolences(13)
Chick Dimiceli says
July 18, 2026 at 12:56 amCondolence to the Donaldson family Lew has been a long time family friend and was a long time customer in my shop We have great talks and memories together He will be missed he was a great man
Marion (August) Tully says
July 18, 2026 at 10:37 pmWhat a wonderful man. He knew how to get the best out of people with a ready smile and a good laugh. He kept the farm no matter how many other opportunities he was offered; Mansfield would not have the same identity without Donaldson’s Farm. I have all fond memories of Lew, Helen, Gary, Bob, David, Debbie, Donna, and Greg and all the times we spent together. Enjoy celebrating his life. He will be missed.
The Wrights says
July 18, 2026 at 10:44 pmWe feel your loss. Sorry for the loss of a great one.
Betsy( Wright )Mccluskey says
July 22, 2026 at 4:28 pmSo sorry for your loss…I didn’t know Mr D.but his daughter Donna was my wonderful roommate at 1 Florham Ave in the 80s..( my husband and I regularly enjoy Fri nights on the Farm)
Bruno pascale says
July 19, 2026 at 10:55 amMy condolences to the family, he was a great man and will be missed by all. Rest in peace
Janet Lake says
July 20, 2026 at 12:11 amRest in peace Mr. Donaldson. Tell Bob hello for me. Some of the flowers he planted in the Hackettstown Mini Park on Main Street in Hackettstown still come up each year. My deepest condolences to your family.
Helen says
July 20, 2026 at 10:23 pmDear Helen and family I am so sorry for your loss. May he rest in eternal peace. God Bless you and your family and may our Lord bring you comfort. Helen Helfrich.. I always sat behind you in Mass.
Eddie meeker says
July 21, 2026 at 1:32 pmCondolences to the entire Donaldson and extended families….. There’s a place in heaven for everyone…. Until we meet again….
Barbara Shaw says
July 22, 2026 at 5:12 pmMy thoughts and prayers for all the family at this sad time. So sorry for your loss. God Bless
Kitty Dancy (Hartrum)(Engle) says
July 23, 2026 at 11:56 amThinking of all the Donaldson Family and sending prayers.
Mark Rogalo says
July 23, 2026 at 10:37 pmGod Bless Lew and the Family he grew with love and care. Cows and crops were not his first love, that place belonged to Helen and the abundant family that they grew up around them. His smile, strength, laughter and wit will live on in all our memories. Sincere condolences and prayers for God’s Grace and Love to the Donaldson Crop. Grow strong in his memory.
Nona says
July 24, 2026 at 1:39 pmSo sorry to hear this sad news. I have been a customer for 40 years, and have always admired the business that the family has built and the quality of their products. What an icon! Sending wishes for peace for the family, he clearly will be sorely missed.
The Stadtler Family says
July 24, 2026 at 6:52 pmSending healing prayers and comfort during this difficult time. Mr. D was a very special person and will be missed by many.
God Bless You All.
Fred and Lynda
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