Obituary of Barton M. Van Wie

Mr. Barton M. Van Wie, 88, died unexpectedly Friday morning March 4th. He was born in Palatine Bridge on October 28, 1927, the son of the late Charles and Angelica Van Wie. Bart was a lifelong resident of the area and had lived at the family home since 1955. He graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1945 and earned his B.S. from Keene State College in N.H. He began his teaching career at Knox Junior High School in Johnstown teaching Math and Science there for 7 years until accepting a similar position at Oneida Junior High in Schenectady where he was affectionately known as "Doc" Van Wie to his students. He retired in 1982, completing 30 years as an educator. Bart was an avid skier into his 80th year and he and his family camped in about 46 states. After retirement, he and family members traveled on cruises and throughout most of Europe. He also went through the Panama Canal and to Alaska and Hawaii. The entire family enjoyed an annual trip to the beaches of Rhode Island, a tradition they carried out for over 50 years. At this time, the family wishes to acknowledge his caregivers, Elsie Di Piazza and Elizabeth Tomlin who enabled him to remain in his home and treated him with dignity and affection. He was a lifetime member of St. Johns/St Mark's Lutheran Church. Other memberships included both the Schenectady and Montgomery County Retired Teachers Associations. Further, he was a proud member of the Gold Circle of the Keene State Teachers Alumni Association, returning to his college for many reunions. Survivors include one nephew, Mark Dievendorf of Columbia,MD, 2 nieces, Julianne (Jim) Vooys of Niskayuna, N.Y. and Nancy (Jeff) Delano of Ann Arbor, MI. He was predeceased by his parents and 3 siblings: John Van Wie, Ruth Dievendorf, and Jane Schuler plus 3 nephews, Alan and Charles Van Wie and William Schuler. Current other survivors include cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews. A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2:30PM at St. John's & St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Church Street, Canajoharie, NY with Pastor Zach Labagh officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, March 12th from 4:00-7:00PM at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Fonda. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John's/St. Marks Lutheran Church, PO Box 275, Canajoharie, NY 13317 or to the Ayres Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166.