William L. Blaauw

William L. “Bill” Blaauw, 88, of Mellenville, passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, with his sons Robert and John at his side. Born September 2, 1933 in Staten Island, NY, he was the son of Edwin and Ruth (Hale) Blaauw. Bill graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT, Class of 1952 and from the Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute (now Farmingdale State College) in 1954. Bill served in the United States Army from 1955 – 1957 as a Specialist 3, Radar Operator and Computer Operator on the Nike Guided Missile Program stationed in Cape Cod, MA. He, along with his wife and parents, operated a dairy farm on the outskirts of Philmont until the farm’s sale to Twin Pond Farms, where he became Farm Manager. Bill later was elected Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Claverack, from which he retired. Bill was a Life Member of the Philmont Volunteer Fire Company, where he had been a member for over 59 years, and had served the company as both Chief and President along with countless other offices and committee chairs. He was also a Life Member of the former Philmont Rescue Squad. He was a Past President of the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association, an Honorary Member of the Mellenville Volunteer Fire Company, and Past President of the Columbia County Highway Superintendents Association. Bill had served as a Councilman and Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Claverack, and had also served as a Trustee and Deputy Mayor for the Village of Philmont. Bill had served as President, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mellenville Union Cemetery. Bill had also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to shut-ins throughout the community for many years. Bill was a member of Unity Lodge # 009 F&AM, the Claverack Senior Citizens and the Philmont United Methodist Church, Bill was awarded the 2020 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 due to delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and was named to the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Hall of Fame. Bill was pre- deceased by his wife of 57 years Alice in 2014, as well as his son James, of Topeka, KS in 2014. He was also pre-deceased by his brother Edwin of Hendersonville, NC. Bill is survived by his sons Robert (Mary Jane) of Sand Lake, NY and John of Philmont, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren Robert Jr. (Carla), McKenzie, Erica (Matthew), Andrea and Calista, along with great-grandchildren Cameron, Madelyn, Tessa, Harrison, Cody and Georgianna, along with several nieces and nephews, and his dear friend and companion Pat Palen. Bill was dedicated to his family, his church, his fellow firefighters, the Town of Claverack and the Village of Philmont. The family wishes to extend their thanks to all of the staff on 4-Gabrilove at St. Peter’s Hospital who provided outstanding care to him, and support to his family during his last hospital stay. Words cannot express our gratitude for what you did for him, or us. Visiting hours will be from 4 – 8 pm on Monday, April 11, 2022 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson, NY 12534. Services will be conducted at 11 am on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the funeral home, with internment to follow in the Mellenville Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Philmont United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Philmont, NY 12565 or the Columbia Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY 12534

William L. Blaauw

September 2, 1933 - April 6, 2022

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William L. Blaauw

September 2, 1933 - April 6, 2022

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