J. Warren Van Deusen

December 26, 1918 - March 31, 2017

Joseph Warren Van Deusen, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, veteran, businessman, volunteer and good friend, died on Friday, March 31st at the age of 98 in the company of his family, the end of a life very well lived. Warren was born in Hudson on December 26, 1918, one of four sons of the late Charles H. Van Deusen, Sr. and Magdalena (Spath) Van Deusen. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 64 years, Alice (Hennessy) in 2011. He also was pre-deceased by his two older brothers, Charles and Neil. His youngest brother Arnold and his wife Ann, continue to sustain the Van Deusen legacy, along with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Warren was a lifetime resident of Claverack and Hudson. He graduated from Hudson High in 1937 where it became clear that he was destined to be a leader after serving three years as class president. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942-1945 with the responsibility of training B-25 fighter pilots. He returned to Hudson with many hair-raising training stories and memories of buzzing the family farm in Claverack. In 1945 he joined the Hudson City Savings Institution and retired in 1982 as President and CEO. He also served as a director of Savings Banks Trust Co. and Institutional Investors Mutual Fund. Warren had a keen interest in economic development. His many activities included serving on the Board of the Columbia County Industrial Management Club, Industries for Columbia County, the Empire State Certified Development Corporation, and the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce. He was long active in a wide variety of community affairs and service activities. In the area of education, he served as President of the Greenport School District and the Hudson City School Board of Education and on the board of BOCES. He also was treasurer of the Hudson YMCA, co-chair of many Community Chest and Red Cross drives, a Hudson Jaycee Distinguished Service Award recipient, Treasurer of the Potts Memorial Foundation and Director of AAA Hudson Valley. Warren was particularly proud of his association with the Greenport Historical Society (first President), the Hudson Rotary Club where he was past President and had 51 years of perfect attendance, and his membership at the First Reformed Church of Hudson for over 65 years, including service as Deacon, Elder and Treasurer. Warren enjoyed golf and was a long time member of Columbia Golf and Country Club. Warren’s memory lives on with his son Dirck and wife Betsy of East Greenbush; daughter Kathleen Mathews and husband Shaun of Simsbury, CT; daughter Christine of West Hartford, CT; and four grandchildren, Kevin and Alison Mathews and Bryan and Abigail Van Deusen. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the caregivers who helped Warren fulfill his wish of remaining at home. Funeral will be on Friday, April 7 at 11:00am at the First Reformed Church in Hudson. Calling hours will be at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-7pm. Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church, 52 Green St., Hudson, NY 12534