Timothy Paul Sperry Sr.

1944 - 2024

Timothy Paul Sperry, Sr.

January 1, 1944 - September 27, 2024

QUEENSBURY – Timothy Paul Sperry, Sr., 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 at Glens Falls Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born on Jan. 1, 1944 in Glens Falls, Tim was the son of Paul Webb Sperry and Lydia (Williams) Sperry. He grew up in the Sperry household on Dixon Road with his four siblings.

After graduating from Queensbury High School in 1961, Tim worked for his father at Sperry's Garage.

In 1962, he joined the United States Air Force, stationed initially at Moses Lake in Washington State. He then moved to Vandenburg Air Force Base where he served as a Helicopter Mechanic and was promoted to Airman First Class.

In May 24, 1964, while still in the Military, Tim married his high school sweetheart Ann Ellingsworth at Christ Church Methodist in Glens Falls. At the conclusion of his Military service, they returned to Queensbury where he built the home he resided in until his passing.

Tim's big spirit could not be contained in a traditional job. He found his calling in the late 60's in the Adirondack woods, where he spent 45 years as a logger and owner of Tim Sperry Logging. His big rig was a frequent sight at Finch Pruyn. Ever the tough Adirondacker, he first cheated death in 1976 when a tree fell on him in the woods. Tim not only extricated himself, he climbed up his skidder with a fractured spine to drive himself to safety.

He attempted retirement in his late 60s. However, the trees lured him back, and he took a part-time job driving a truck for a local tree service. With this crew, he worked jobs locally and around the state until he was in his late 70s.

Tim thoroughly enjoyed watching his children grow up. He was a regular at the boys' Queensbury wrestling matches, and at his daughter's dance recitals. When grandchildren came along, he was their number one fan, attending sporting events near and far, including football, baseball, skiing and lacrosse.

When he retired for real, Tim turned his energy to his backyard, maintaining it meticulously. He invented unique devices to thwart the squirrels from raiding his bird feeders. His final legacy to his family was his distinctive artwork, as he created one-of-a-kind pieces from found objects. Even kitchen items were fair game, as Ann learned when she discovered her colander had taken on a new life as a lamp.

Tim never lost interest in current events and was an avid newspaper reader. If you didn't catch him in his elaborate man cave/garage, you frequently could find him visiting the wood pile at Finch Pruyn, just because.

Tim was predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law, William Herlihy, sister-in-law, Trudy Sperry, and his brother-in-law, Eric Bright.

Left to cherish his memory is Ann, his wife of 60 years; he is survived by his four children, sons: T. Paul Sperry, Jr. and his wife, Anastasia of Glens Falls, Matthew John Sperry and his wife, Julie, of Enterprise, AL, Stephen Eldridge Sperry and his significant other, Grace Keller of Hinesburg, VT; and daughter, Susanna Kay Sperry of Burlington, VT; he is also survived by his grandchildren: Alexandra, Addison and Alastair Sperry of Glens Falls, and Mattie, Charlie, and Sam Sperry of Enterprise, AL.

Other survivors include his brothers: David Sperry, John Sperry (Mary); and sisters: Susan Herlihy and Mary Beth Bright; also survived by his brother-in-law, J. David Ellingsworth (Linda); plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff of the Cardiac Care ICU on Tower 5 at Glens Falls Hospital for their dedicated care and guidance at this difficult time. Many thanks also to the first responders from West Glens Falls for their valiant efforts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Queensbury EMS, Bay Ridge Station, 1109 Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY 12804.

Relatives and friends may visit the family on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.sbfuneralhome.com.