Obituary of Donald Michael Dodds

Donald Michael "Mike" Dodds was born on January 29, 1941, to Nancy (Pennington) Dodds and Ivan Dale Dodds. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for over eight years, including time stationed overseas in Thailand. On March 3, 1963, he married the love of his life, Lea (Coslett) Dodds, and together they built a beautiful life filled with devotion, partnership, and nearly 63 years of marriage. They went on to raise three children—Brian Dodds (Cathy), Barbara Henry (Doug), and Beth Nardi (Joseph)—and were blessed with many grandchildren and stepgrandchildren: Joseph Serenka (Julia), Jeffrey Serenka (Nesa), Emma Andreas (Wyatt), Jacob Nardi, Abigail Villalobos (Christian), John Simpatico, Tony Simpatico (Vicki), as well as several greatgrandchildren. After completing his military service, Mike worked in several roles before joining with two partners to open Caltronix, a business he took great pride in. He eventually retired to spend more time with his beloved wife, Lea. Mike was a man of many interests and talents. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and reading, and he even authored two novels. He had a fondness for technology and a love for watching old movies, especially those that brought back memories of earlier days. Above all, Mike was a devoted husband and family man. He cared deeply and quietly, always showing his love through his actions. When Lea entered a nursing home, he continued to be by her side almost every day—making sure she was comfortable, cared for, and never felt alone. His unwavering dedication to her was an inspiration to all who knew him. Mike's friendly nature and gentle spirit made him easy to love, and he touched the hearts of everyone he met. He will be deeply missed. Mike passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2025. Services will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Epiphany, 6050 AvonLima Road, Avon, NY 14414, on January 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.