Douglas W. Bull, 90, of DeLancey, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at his home.
Born Aug. 18, 1932 in Colchester, he was the son of the late Raymon Sr. and Helen (O’Connor) Bull.
Mr. Bull proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 until his honorable discharge in 1961.
Douglas was a welder by trade and worked for various local businesses including AGWAY, Western Auto, Amphenol, Mirabito and Dellwood Foods.
Doug was recognized as being the oldest owner/operator of a tractor pulling sled in the United States at the National Convention in Ohio recently.
Doug was also the organizer of the “coffee club.” This consisted of several community members that met every morning to discuss local and national politics and drink a lot of coffee. Although not all issues were resolved, a lot of laughter could be heard.
Doug played volleyball for the Air Force traveling team and continued playing in various leagues until in his 70s.
He was also active community member in the Delaware County Antique Club and the DeLancey Water Board.
Doug was well known for his ability to make and fix anything.
Doug loved and was very proud of his family and never missed an opportunity to horseplay with his grandchildren and later was fortunate to carry this on with great-grandsons. He never grew old and was in every occasion for a good time.
Douglas served 20 years on the Delaware County Fair Board, where he helped organize the tractor pulls and volunteered as an electrician for many years. Doug’s hobbies became Jean’s hobbies and as a team they spent entire summers and falls at local fairs, tractor and truck events through New York state, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. He had the vision and welding expertise to design and build his own weight transfer sled, which put Delaware County on the map.
Besides his parents, Douglas was predeceased by his siblings Raymon Bull Jr. and Barbara Schliff.
He is survived by his wife Jean (Robinson) Bull of DeLancey; daughters Karen B. (Robert) Kaufman of Bloomville and Sandy (Robert) Hitt of Boonville; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Douglas Yatko) Kaufman of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Kimberly (James) Nissen of Oneonta, Cody (Kendel) Hitt of Niskayuna and Rachel Hitt (fiancé Nick Ciccarelli) of Mohawk; four great-grandchildren, Colton, Reed, Logan and Ryder; siblings Audrey Stanton and Richard Bull; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Doug got his last wish of a peaceful, quiet-passing doing exactly what he enjoyed.
Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 134 Main Street, Delhi. A private memorial service and burial will take place at a later date.
Visit macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Bull family.
