Obituary of Earl W. Vosburgh

Mr. Earl W. Vosburgh, 91, of Shaper Avenue, Canajoharie, New York died Friday evening, September 26, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 1, 1922 in Canajoharie, NY, he was the son of the late Earl Vosburgh and Ethel Wessel Vosburgh. He was a lifetime area resident. Mr. Vosburgh served in the US Army with a rank of Sergeant during World War II. He was in the service for 36 months, 1 year of that was spent overseas with the 824 Tank Destroyer Battalion. He received the Bronze Star Medal for bravery in action. On October 24, 1946 in Fort Plain, NY, Earl was married to Virginia P. Stefanacci. Together they celebrated over 67 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on March 6, 2014. Mr. Vosburgh was a dairy farmer with his wife and their son, Steven on their Dairy Farm on Blaine Road for 35 years, retiring in 1986. Previous to dairy farming Earl worked in Arkell & Smith Bag Factory for 7 years. He also worked 4 years for NYS Dept. of Public Works and was a bus driver for Canajoharie Central School. Earl enjoyed spending time with his family, going to auctions, and traveling the world. He was predeceased by his sisters, Beatrice Voght and Gladys Birdsong; daughter, Christine Vosburgh. Mr. Vosburgh is survived by his son, Steven E. Vosburgh of Canajoharie, NY; 3 daughters, Leslie Bell (Richard) of Canajoharie, NY, Pamela M. Hawkins (Paul) of Oriental, NC, Deborah Vosburgh (Rusty Capece) of Fort Plain, NY; 5 grandchildren, Jason Granger (Michelle), Gavin Granger (Amy), Kelly Hawkins, Adrianne Bell Fowler (Travis), Aaron Bell (Heather); 1 step-grandson, Richard A. Bell; 2 great-grandsons; 1 great-granddaughter; 3 step-great-grandsons; 2 step-great-great-grandsons; 3 sisters, Norma Wells of Canajoharie, NY, Marion Stevens of Amsterdam, NY, Jean Poterson of TX; 1 sister-in-law, Ruth Stefanacci; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be held at the convenience of the family and are under the direction of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. Burial will take place at Fort Plain Cemetery. Please consider donations in memory of Mr. Earl W. Vosburgh to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078 or to the Alzheimer's Association, Pine West Plaza, Bldg. 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205.