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Don Ryder, of Baldwinsville, in this family photo. Ryder left his entire $750,000 estate to charity.

(Provided photo)

Don Ryder in this undated family photo. Ryder, 81, died in 2015. Ryder lived a private life. He mentioned in passing that he served in the Army, according to neighbors, and a photo found in his belongings confirmed he trained at Fort Dix Reception Center in 1957, the Central New York Community Foundation said.

Baldwinsville, N.Y. -- Donald Ryder was described by many who knew him as a private and quiet man who took great pride in his home and property in Baldwinsville.

Ryder died in 2015 at the age of 81. It was in his death that Ryder expressed just how much he cared about his community.

Ryder's will directed that his entire estate - 150 acres of land, his home and all of his belongings, valued at about $750,000 - be donated to the Donald W. Ryder Fund at the Central New York Community Foundation.

Ryder was incredibly proud of designing and building his home and barn exactly how he wanted, his neighbors said.

"He kept his place very, very neat." said John Kerniski, Ryder's friend and neighbor since the early 1970s. "His house and storage barn were methodically organized. And he was always well-dressed and well-mannered. I think he took pride in being well-presented."

Mike Kerniski, John Kerniski's son, said he often stopped to chat with Ryder about goings on in the world and life.

"I felt like I could talk to Don about anything," John Kerniski said. "He often told me that you only live once, so do whatever you think is best, take chances and if you fall on your face, you fall on your face - but if not, you gain so much."

When Ryder met with his estate planning attorney he said he wanted to leave a legacy that involved giving to charity. The attorney suggested that Ryder meet with the community foundation.

"Don's interests were broad and he was looking for a charity that matched that breadth," Jennifer Owens, the community foundation's vice president, development and marketing, said in a news release.

The community foundation administers nearly 700 individual funds, each with its own donor-defined purpose and history. The foundation is tasked with continuing to honor the donors' wishes after they are gone, while addressing the community's greatest needs as they evolve over time.

Based on his clear direction, the Donald W. Ryder Fund will provide grants to nonprofit organizations for the sole purpose of brick and mortar capital projects - to pay for the construction of new buildings or additions or renovations to existing facilities. Grants from the fund will be awarded through the foundation's Community Grants program.

The foundation awards more than $2.5 million in Community Grants each year to tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties that serve the fields of arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health, human services and the environment and provides leadership and financial support for focused community initiatives in such areas as literacy, higher education attainment and nonprofit capacity building.

"While he always remained a very private person, I came to know Don over the years and admired his principled and methodical approach to his life," Owens said. "What will stick with me about Don is the generous, warm and funny personality that was just beneath his guarded exterior. He didn't let many people see his caring side, but he was a generous guy at heart."

Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315