Memorial Service for James C. VanDeusen 03/26/17
James C. Van Deusen, 75 of Claverack passed away on March 15, 2017. Born February 27, 1942 in Hudson, New York he was the son of the late Cary and Dorothy (Cook) Van Deusen. Jim worked for the NYS Thruway Authority for 30 years and was the co-owner of the Old Indian Trading Post in Claverack. Most recently he was employed by the Columbia County Healthcare Consortium. Jim was a lifetime member of the A. B. Shaw Fire Company of which he was a past chief and current commissioner, former Columbia County Fire Coordinator, member of the Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association, Treasurer of the NYS Fire Coordinators Assoc., former Claverack Town Councilman and deputy Town Supervisor, Claverack Republican Club, Bruce Madlem Hunt Club and Columbia Cruisers Car Club.
During his tenure as County Fire Coordinator Jim was an instrumental part of the building of the County Fire Training Center in Philmont which was named after him in 2012 for his years of dedicated service to the residents of Columbia County. As a member of the Columbia County Fire Chief’s Association the County Burned-Out Fund was created to help families recover from a fire. Jim was dedicated to his family, town and fellow firefighters.
Jim was an avid hunter, gardener and volunteer but his greatest joy was his family. Jim is survived by two daughters, Jodi (Stephen) Keyser and Karen (Richard) Franceschi all of Claverack. He is also survived by the loves of his life his grandsons, James Shook Jr., Stephen (Beth) Keyser, Jeffrey (Kelsey) Keyser, Robert (Katrina) Keyser, Kevin Keyser(Lauren Scalera), Matthew (Kayla) Franceschi, Kyle Franceschi (Ashley Prochera) and eleven great-grandchildren, Brandon, Anna, Julia, Jocelyn and Charleston Shook, Catherine, Ellie and Isabella Keyser and Preston, Dominic and Hunter Franceschi. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Frieda Van Deusen of Claverack and his brother –in law and sister-in-law, Delbe and Carol Spath of Wallkill, NY and along with four nieces, two nephews, several cousins and countless friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Jim was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Wanda, his parents and his great-grandchildren, Maddox and Kennedy Franceschi.
All are welcome to a memorial on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the A. B. Shaw Firehouse, Rte. 23 in Claverack. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the A. B. Shaw Fire Company, Drawer A, Claverack, NY 12513.
During his tenure as County Fire Coordinator Jim was an instrumental part of the building of the County Fire Training Center in Philmont which was named after him in 2012 for his years of dedicated service to the residents of Columbia County. As a member of the Columbia County Fire Chief’s Association the County Burned-Out Fund was created to help families recover from a fire. Jim was dedicated to his family, town and fellow firefighters.
Jim was an avid hunter, gardener and volunteer but his greatest joy was his family. Jim is survived by two daughters, Jodi (Stephen) Keyser and Karen (Richard) Franceschi all of Claverack. He is also survived by the loves of his life his grandsons, James Shook Jr., Stephen (Beth) Keyser, Jeffrey (Kelsey) Keyser, Robert (Katrina) Keyser, Kevin Keyser(Lauren Scalera), Matthew (Kayla) Franceschi, Kyle Franceschi (Ashley Prochera) and eleven great-grandchildren, Brandon, Anna, Julia, Jocelyn and Charleston Shook, Catherine, Ellie and Isabella Keyser and Preston, Dominic and Hunter Franceschi. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Frieda Van Deusen of Claverack and his brother –in law and sister-in-law, Delbe and Carol Spath of Wallkill, NY and along with four nieces, two nephews, several cousins and countless friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Jim was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Wanda, his parents and his great-grandchildren, Maddox and Kennedy Franceschi.
All are welcome to a memorial on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the A. B. Shaw Firehouse, Rte. 23 in Claverack. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the A. B. Shaw Fire Company, Drawer A, Claverack, NY 12513.
Photos by Richard E. Lindmark