Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Visitation and Service Policies

For 95 years, the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home has remained deeply committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve, as well as to the health and well-being of our fellow citizens, the families we serve and our associates.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (the pandemic) we have continued to stay up to date with changes to Federal and New York State requirements related to funeral service, and have incorporated those changes into our operations. 

In accordance with guidelines recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) and interpretations and recommendations con-currently issued by the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Bureau of Funeral Directing and the New York State Funeral Directors Association, fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distanced, but unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks and be socially distanced, while in the confines of the funeral home for gatherings not to exceed  New York State’s social gathering limit of 250 indoors or 500 outdoors. Of course, anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask may do so at any time. 

Please take care of yourselves and each other, and know that we are here to serve you in your time of need.  

Peter A. Deysenroth 
Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, Owner and Licensed Manager

Note: If you are looking for the obituary of a specific person, please use the list of names at right.

David Damon Jeffres

1929 - 2021

MILFORD - David Damon Jeffres died peacefully at home on May 2, 2021, at the age of 91 following a 13-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was surrounded by his family and canine companion Rocky.

He was also a loving husband, father and devoted college professor.

He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on November 2, 1929, the son of Edgar Perry Jeffres and Sibyl Irene Jeffres.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Candace; three sons, Damon of Bellbrook, Ohio, Royce of Brooklyn, NY and Travis (Emily) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and three daughters, Deborah Lukehart of Page, Arizona, Thalia Jeffres of Wichita, Kansas and Hylarie Kochiras of Athens, Greece. In addition, he is also survived by grandchildren David Lukehart, Nathan Lukehart, Everett Jeffres, Indigo Jeffres, Changa Changa Enamienge, and Xia Min Shao; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Edgar and Sibyl, brothers Edgar and Ralph, and his grandson Jonathan Lukehart.

He graduated early from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 17, so he could enlist in the Navy.

After graduating from the U.S Navy School of Music he served honorably for four and a half years during which time he played trumpet in the Navy band, achieving the position of musician first class.

Following his discharge from the Navy, he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Education and French, respectively, from the University of Colorado (Boulder) and completed PhD coursework in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas and SUNY Albany. David taught Spanish and French at the Universities of Texas and Wyoming before relocating to Oneonta, where he taught Spanish at Hartwick College for 33 years. He was a gifted teacher who believed that cultural immersion was the the only way to truly learn a foreign language. To that end, he was instrumental in establishing Hartwick's first international study programs to France, Spain, Mexico and Guatemala. During his years at Hartwick he took many student groups to Spain and Mexico so that they could fully embrace the language and culture.

He was a talented storyteller and entertained many with his gregarious and lively spirit. His hardscrabble upbringing during the Great Depression had a profound impact on him, and thus, he devoted his entire life to securing a better future for his children.

In his younger days he enjoyed running, water skiing, hunting and fishing. He loved music of all genres, but especially from the big band era. Mostly, he just enjoyed being with his family.

We would like to thank our family, friends and neighbors for their support over the years. In addition we would like to thank Total Care Connection, Palliative Care and Hospice for their compassionate care over the past weeks.

We would especially like to thank our beloved friend Christine Holbrook for her many years of loving, devoted care.

There will be a private graveside service with military honors at Mica Hill Cemetery in Durham, Connecticut, in August at the convenience of the family.

If desired, memorial donations may be sent to the Milford Fire Department or the Alzheimers Association.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.