Obituary of Roger P. Cronkhite

Mr. Roger P. Cronkhite, 89, formerly of Hallsville, NY, died Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Palatine Nursing Home, following a long illness. Born on January 11, 1926 in Hallsville, NY, he was the son of Harold B. Cronkhite and Ruth Mary Pickard Cronkhite. He was a graduate of Fort Plain High School, Class of 1944 and was a lifetime area resident. Mr. Cronkhite was the owner and operator of the family dairy farm, originally owned by Fred Cronkhite, known as the Geisenberg Dairy Farm in Hallsville in the Town of Minden, from the age of 17 until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the former Universalist Church of the Messiah in Fort Plain, NY. He was also a Sunday School Teacher and served on the Board of Management of the Universalist Church of the Messiah. Mr. Cronkhite was a member of the Fort Plain Masonic Lodge #433, he served on the Board of Directors for Mohawk Minden Insurance Company, and served on State Bank of Albany Advisory Board. He was an active performing musician, playing clarinet and saxophone, starting with the Jim Carnwright Band in High School, also playing with the Rex Pryor Band, Starlighters, Mohegan's, and the 2nd Time Around Big Band. He was a loving father and fantastic grandfather. On September 1, 1945 at the former Fort Plain Universalist Church, Roger was married to Ann Elizabeth Failing. Together they celebrated over 69 years of marriage. Mr. Cronkhite is survived by his wife, Ann Elizabeth Cronkhite of Palatine Bridge, NY; daughter, Judith and James Zetterberg of Williamstown, WV; son, Jan and Sandra Miller Cronkhite of Nelliston, NY; 5 grandchildren, Andrew S. Cronkhite and Heather of Fort Plain, NY, Robin E. Hamblin and Jonathan of Syracuse, NY, Heather Hickerson and Gabriel of Beverly, OH, Rachel Zetterberg of Williamstown, WV, Timothy Zetterberg of Parkersburg, WV; 4 great-grandchildren, Alex and Alexis Cronkhite of Fort Plain, NY, Dorthea and Jacob Hamblin of Syracuse, NY; several cousins. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 11:00am at The Chapel of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339 with Rev. Nancy Ryan officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, March 3, from 5:00-7:00pm at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic Service held on Tuesday at 6:45pm by the Fort Plain Masonic Lodge #433. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mr. Roger P. Cronkhite may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078.