Obituary for John Santspree
COHOES John Santspree, 87, a life-long resident of Cohoes, NY, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side, on January 2, 2023.
John – or Jack, as affectionately known by his family and closest friends – was born on February 25, 1935, to Arthur and Helen (Kane) Santspree in Cohoes. The middle of 11 children, John attended Cohoes High School and then went directly into the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 20 years.
John’s time in the service brought him around the world to destinations such as Turkey, Japan, Spain, and Germany. John’s dutiful wife of 60 years, Dorothy, traveled abroad to most places with John, always faithfully by his side. Returning to the States, John and Dorothy lived briefly in Chicopee Falls, MA while stationed at Westover Air Force Base, and then lived the rest of their married years back in Cohoes.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force at the rank of Sergeant, John continued to serve his country for another 20 years at the Watervliet Arsenal, first as a machinist and then working his way up to the offices as an Industrial Specialist. Always working, after retirement from the Arsenal, John then worked another 20 years at Hannaford, as a clerk in the seafood department.
This position was very fitting for John, as aside from his farm-girl wife and their family, John’s true love was fishing. From the Cohoes Falls to the Ausable River, Maine, Alaska, and anywhere in between, John was an avid fast-water fisherman. Dorothy was sometimes with him there as well, though in a chair doing her cross-stitch. The two also enjoyed participating in bowling leagues together.
John and Dorothy met in 1962 in Underwood, Iowa at a 4th of July celebration. Dorothy was there with her parents, being from nearby Honeycreek, and John was there on some time off while stationed nearby in Nebraska. They married the following May, kicking off their long and full life together. Together they grew a loving and dedicated family of three children and seven grandchildren.
John leaves his loving wife, Dorothy (Arrick) Santspree, three children – Ellen Gratton and her husband Bruce of Cohoes, John Santspree and his wife Jennifer of Schenectady, NY, and Danielle LaPointe and her husband David of Winchendon, MA – his seven loving grandchildren – Cody Gratton, Alec Hart, Camille Hart, Ian Hart, Abby Santspree, Juliette LaPointe, and Isaac LaPointe – one brother, Paul Santspree of Loudonville, NY, and countless nieces, nephews, and friends.
John was predeceased by many, including his parents, siblings Francis (Frankie) Bernard, Richard (Dickie) Santspree, Robert (Bob) Santspree, Thelma Gardner, Arthur (Art) Santspree, Roy Santspree, Lois Rourke, Andrew (Dutchie) Santspree, and Ray Santspree, and many of his friends.
Calling hours will be held at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd. in Cohoes on Friday, January 6, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a service immediately following at 6 p.m.
Burial will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery in Cohoes, Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m.
In tribute and deep gratitude to the excellent care provided to John and the family by St. Peter’s Health Partners palliative care and hospice staff, the family encourages you in lieu of flowers, to donate to their Community Hospice Foundation – or an equivalent in your area. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.
John – or Jack, as affectionately known by his family and closest friends – was born on February 25, 1935, to Arthur and Helen (Kane) Santspree in Cohoes. The middle of 11 children, John attended Cohoes High School and then went directly into the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 20 years.
John’s time in the service brought him around the world to destinations such as Turkey, Japan, Spain, and Germany. John’s dutiful wife of 60 years, Dorothy, traveled abroad to most places with John, always faithfully by his side. Returning to the States, John and Dorothy lived briefly in Chicopee Falls, MA while stationed at Westover Air Force Base, and then lived the rest of their married years back in Cohoes.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force at the rank of Sergeant, John continued to serve his country for another 20 years at the Watervliet Arsenal, first as a machinist and then working his way up to the offices as an Industrial Specialist. Always working, after retirement from the Arsenal, John then worked another 20 years at Hannaford, as a clerk in the seafood department.
This position was very fitting for John, as aside from his farm-girl wife and their family, John’s true love was fishing. From the Cohoes Falls to the Ausable River, Maine, Alaska, and anywhere in between, John was an avid fast-water fisherman. Dorothy was sometimes with him there as well, though in a chair doing her cross-stitch. The two also enjoyed participating in bowling leagues together.
John and Dorothy met in 1962 in Underwood, Iowa at a 4th of July celebration. Dorothy was there with her parents, being from nearby Honeycreek, and John was there on some time off while stationed nearby in Nebraska. They married the following May, kicking off their long and full life together. Together they grew a loving and dedicated family of three children and seven grandchildren.
John leaves his loving wife, Dorothy (Arrick) Santspree, three children – Ellen Gratton and her husband Bruce of Cohoes, John Santspree and his wife Jennifer of Schenectady, NY, and Danielle LaPointe and her husband David of Winchendon, MA – his seven loving grandchildren – Cody Gratton, Alec Hart, Camille Hart, Ian Hart, Abby Santspree, Juliette LaPointe, and Isaac LaPointe – one brother, Paul Santspree of Loudonville, NY, and countless nieces, nephews, and friends.
John was predeceased by many, including his parents, siblings Francis (Frankie) Bernard, Richard (Dickie) Santspree, Robert (Bob) Santspree, Thelma Gardner, Arthur (Art) Santspree, Roy Santspree, Lois Rourke, Andrew (Dutchie) Santspree, and Ray Santspree, and many of his friends.
Calling hours will be held at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd. in Cohoes on Friday, January 6, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a service immediately following at 6 p.m.
Burial will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery in Cohoes, Saturday, January 7 at 10:00 a.m.
In tribute and deep gratitude to the excellent care provided to John and the family by St. Peter’s Health Partners palliative care and hospice staff, the family encourages you in lieu of flowers, to donate to their Community Hospice Foundation – or an equivalent in your area. A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.