William A. Blauvelt "Bill" 81

Montgomery, NY

William A. Blauvelt, 81, a lifelong area resident, died on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at Kingston Hospital in Kingston, after a long and courageous battle against lung disease, with his family at his bedside.

He was born on April 22, 1927 in Newburgh, the son of the late Calvin C. and Margaret Brooks Blauvelt. He was married to the late Jean L. Blauvelt for 46 years. William was retired from Palisades Interstate Park Commission. He began his 53 year career as a laborer for Bear Mountain State Park and worked diligently through the years to become the Superintendent of Rockland Lake, Lake Welch and Bear Mountain State Park.

In 1991, he was honored in the 20th Anniversary Collector's edition of the Hudson Valley magazine which stated: "One of many unsung heroes who have been keeping the region's pleasure grounds green and fun - long before it was the fashionable thing to do."

William served in the Military Police in the U.S. Army in WW II. He was a member of the American Legion #488 in Monroe and V.F.W. #8858 in Harriman. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2079 in Monroe and member of R.O.O.C. He was a past President of CSEA of Southern New York State and a member of the Monroe Jolly Senior Citizens. After his retirement, he volunteered as a driver for Meals-on-Wheels and served as a volunteer, transporting patients at Arden Hill Hospital. An avid lover of flying, after his retirement, he took flying lessons and spent many hours building and flying radio-controlled airplanes.

Surviving are his daughter, Elizabeth Curtis and her husband, Stanley of Bullville; his son, William (Mike) Blauvelt and his wife, June of Hillsborough, NJ; three grandchildren, Scott Curtis, Caitlin Blauvelt and Mathew Blauvelt; one sister, Mildred Burt of Hyde Park; one brother, Calvin C. Blauvelt, Jr. and his wife, Muriel of Lady Lake, FL, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Jean Moderacki.

A Family Statement reads: "A kind and gentle man who gave unselfishly from his heart, even in his last few months of life, people he barely knew remarked what a delight he was to care for. A loving father and grandfather, who will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him."

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 448 Route 32, Highland Mills, with The Rev. Gerard P. Travers officiating. Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Palisades Park Conservancy at The Friends of PIPC, Inc., Administration Building, Bear Mountain, NY 10911.

Funeral arrangements were made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Homes, Monroe. www.ssqfuneralhome.com or 845-782-8185.