David L. Hares
November 17, 1952 - June 27, 2025
David Leonard Hares, 72, died unexpectedly on the afternoon of Friday, June 27th, 2025. He was born in Auburn, NY, on November 17th, 1952.
Dave is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Marlene; his daughters, Rachel and Allyson (Dustin); his granddaughter, Madyson; his brothers, Jim and Bill (Dorothy) Hares; sisters, Peg (David) Cooper and Joanne Hares; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Paul) Gallagher, Mary-Ellen Kuney, Michele (Rick) Gefell; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Dave is predeceased by his parents, Harland and Evelyn Hares; his mother and father-in-law, Patrick and Eleanor DeSarro; son-in-law, George; brother-in-law, David Kuney; and many friends.
Dave graduated from East High School in Auburn, NY in 1970, and he attended college at SUNY Oswego. He moved away from Upstate, NY and headed down to Long Island to run a stereo shop for a few years after college. David was a longtime manager at K-Mart in Auburn and Sidney, Walmart in Oneonta and Cobleskill. The K-Mart in Auburn is where he met his wife, Marlene.
After they met, the couple moved to Sidney, NY to start their life with the opening of the Sidney K-Mart. He made unforgettable memories with family during those years; Mar and Dave, and Kev and Linda shared many times camping and attending concerts. Dave shared his love of music with his daughter, Rachel. He was a steadfast Syracuse Orange fan at heart - but was always proud to don his St. John's Red after Allyson went to college. He retired from the Cobleskill Walmart in 2018.
After retirement, Dave enjoyed catching up with his high school friends, picking up his guitar again (and buying a new one to continue to play more), and started to bike again - one of his oldest passions. He truly loved summertime, and was known to be hanging by the pool with.
Madyson and his family. Dave spent a large amount of his retirement spending time and making memories with Marlene. They went to concerts, baseball games and traveled to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Dave shared his musical taste with his beloved granddaughter, Madyson.
Dave was a proud father and grandfather, and will be remembered by those who knew him as just that. He was known for his many quips and quirks that stuck with all of his girls, and those memories will live on with them.
Calling Hours will be on Sunday, July 6th from 4-7 p.m. Services and burial on Monday, July 7th at 10:30 a.m. at C.H Landers Funeral Home in Sidney, New York. Memorial donations in Dave's memory may be directed to the Chenango County SPCA.
Dave will be greatly missed.
Hares, David
