John B. Dunbar

John B. Dunbar, 79, of Ballston Spa, passed away Monday, September 21, at Saratoga Hospital. Born in Troy, September 20, 1930, he was the son of the late Byron and Anna Dunbar of Mechanicville. He attended St. Paul's School and graduated from Mechanicville High School in 1948. Following graduation, he went to work as a yard clerk in the Delaware & Hudson Railroad yards in Mechanicville. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, stationed at Sampson Air Force Base, Geneva, NY, and completed his tour of duty in Korea. He obtained the rank of staff sergeant in the Food Services Division and fed up to 10,000 airmen and officers. Upon discharge, he returned to the railroad and worked there until August of 1959, when he joined Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., retiring in 1983. During his career he received many achievement awards. He was regional vice president of the New York State Association of Life Underwriters and also for the Tri-County Association. He was a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. In 1968 he graduated from the College of Life Underwriters obtaining the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) of which he was so proud. He continued in the insurance field as a broker, retiring in 1988. For over 20 years he worked as a security sergeant for the NYS Racing Association at the Saratoga Racetrack, during the summer meet. He was a daily communicant of St. Mary's Church in Ballston Spa. He taught religion to the young children for over 25 years. The children loved him and he loved them. He felt so good doing it. He also was a member of the RCIA team, training prospective converts to the church. His hobbies were planning menus and preparing meals for his family and friends and his backyard garden, which he planned, planted and harvested for over 50 years. He loved hunting and fishing and taking vacation trips with his wife and children. He was an ardent Yankee fan and Notre Dame football fan. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, George; and his sister, Catherine. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anne; his children, Joseph (Jackie) of Burke, VA, Francis of Black River, John (Lisa) of Stillwater, Catherine Clements (Timothy) of Malta, Patricia Dunbar Richmond of Ballston Spa, and Paul (Erika) of Ballston Spa; his grandchildren, Andrea and Alex Clements; Trenton and Hudson Dunbar; Caroline Dunbar and Rachel Richmond. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, at St. Mary's Church, Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Saratoga Springs. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's School, 40 Thompson Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses, caregivers and doctors on A-3, at Saratoga Hospital, who took care of John during his very difficult last weeks.