William M. VanAlstine
POTSDAM - William M. VanAlstine, 96, passed away on Monday (Aug. 30, 2010) at the St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena, where he had been a resident since 2009. He was a former resident of Sanfordville.
Calling hours will be Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Garner Funeral Home in Potsdam, and the funeral service will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at Garner Funeral Home, with Rev. Lee Sweeney officiating.
Mr. VanAlstine is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth VanAlstine of Ilion; stepdaughters Sharon Matthys of Potsdam, Patricia (Lee) Pecina of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Ann (Clarence) Richards of West Stockholm; a stepson, Joseph (Beverly) Robinson of West Stockholm; nephews James (Pat) Tharrett of Nicholville and Robert (Donna) Tharrett of Rome; nieces Patricia Parks of Nicholville and Pamela Levitt of York, Pa.; as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Patty Hight; his brother, Seth VanAlstine; and three sisters, Mary, Alice and Ida.
Mr. VanAlstine was born June 29, 1914 in Ilion, the son of Rose VanNanee and Robert VanAlstine.
He married Dorothy Dodds on Sept. 16, 1946 in Burlington, Vt. She died on June 1, 1970.
Mr. VanAlstine remarried Margaret Green Cyrus on Oct. 17, 1971 at the West Stockholm Methodist Church. She died on May 7, 2003.
A graduate of Ilion High School, Ilion, Mr.VanAlstine was employed by General Electric in Schenectedy. He then worked for the Dairyman's League Milk Plant in Potsdam.
This was followed by his employment as a Potsdam Village Police patrolman and then he worked for Wonderbread in Potsdam in the maintenance department. He retired from the Potsdam Central School District in 1974, where he had been working as a custodian and a bus driver for approximately 20 years.
He enjoyed snowmobiling for many years, and he volunteered during community dinners at the West Stockholm Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Elks Lodge BPOE 2074.
Contributions can be made in Mr. VanAlstine's memory to the West Stockholm Methodist Church or the St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena.
Condolences can be made online at Garnerfh.com.
