Carlton “Carl” Adams Holdridge,
90 Years old of New Berlin, NY,
Passed away at the New York State Veterans Home, Oxford, NY on July 4, 2013, where he had been a resident for almost three years.
He was born on November 2, 1922 in New Berlin, NY the son of Harry & Mildred (Adams) Holdridge. He graduated from the New Berlin High School in 1940. During his school years, he was actively involved in baseball and football, the baseball team being recognized as one of the best in the east. In 1943 he entered the U.S. Army, and was stationed in the state of Washington and the Aleutian Islands, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He is the last surviving WWII veteran of the Frank H. Arnold Post 348, New Berlin.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Edna Niles on August 25, 1945 in West Edmeston, NY. They operated the C.A.Holdridge General Store in West Edmeston for twenty-two years. He was also employed as a bus driver for the Edmeston Central School. After the family relocated to New Berlin, Carl was employed by Scintilla, Sidney, NY for a period of time, and then become the Superintendent of Public Works for the village of New Berlin, from which he retired. His father had previously held the same position. Carl was also involved with the West Edmeston Fire Department, New Berlin Fire Department, New Berlin Police Department and the Chenango County Sheriff Department.
Carl was an avid outdoorsman, and loved hunting, fishing and trapping. For nineteen years he was a New York State certified Trapper Training Instructor. His awards, recognition patches and honors were a revelation of his love of trapping. While in the army he purchased a jacket which he used to display his 65 patches, representing experiences in his trapping career, of which he was very proud. Carl was a New York State licensed hunting guide.
In his retirement years, Carl developed an interest in making walking canes, which were etched with descriptive symbols and phrases. Hundreds of these canes Carl handcrafted and people locally and worldwide cherish his craftsmanship.
He was a member of the Columbus Community Church, Frank H. Arnold American Legion Post 348, New Berlin; Independent Fur Harvesters of Central New York, and a life-time member of the New York State Trappers Association.
He is survived by his wife: Elizabeth (Betty) Tyrone, Pennsylvania; a daughter and son-in-law: Patricia and William Gordner, Clifton Springs; a son: D. Michael Holdridge and his partner: George Dempsie of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania; sister and brother-in-law: Mary Jac and Warren Sholes, Fort Edward; sister-in-law: Marjorie Holdridge, Wilmington, Delaware, and long -time care provider and special friend: Torri Miles and family, Earlville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother: Lawrence Holdridge.
Inurnment will be in the Holdridge family section of the Fairview Cemetery, New Berlin on Saturday, July 13, 2013 10:00 AM, with full military honors. Calling hours will be from 11:00 AM to Noon at the Columbus Community Church. A service to celebrate the life of Carl will immediately follow at 12 Noon, with the Reverend Stephen L. Reese, Senior Pastor, officiating. A luncheon will follow the memorial service in The Whitney House, Columbus. |
You may add your condolences to be posted below.
Only fill in fields you wish to have displayed
|
To Mike and Pat My love to you and your Mom. Carl and Bill were good buddies
Carl and I were great "sparring" partners. The wild life world will miss him. Love you all.
Marjorie D. Buys
Washington, NC
Pat and Mike: So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.
We have not been in touch in a long, long, time but I wanted to let you know my thoughts are with you. Hugs Nancy.
Nancy Zimmerman Forste
Sebastian, Florida
Our prayers are with you all, the trapping community lost a lifelong mentor of our traditions and values
He will be missed by all. He was inducted into our Trappers Hall of Fame last year.
If there are trees in Heaven, Carlton Holdridge will make them into canes for others to share.
Al LaFrance, President, Independent Fur Harvesters of CNY
Al La France
Manlius, NY
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you....Carl was a wonderful friend to Wallace and I.
We had such good memories of times together, including Beaver River and Summit Lake. He will be missed.
Sarah Lidell
Altamont, NY
Betty, Mike, Pat, and families: So sorry to hear of Carl's passing. Though I haven't been back east in many, many years, I always had Carl at the top of my list of people to visit whenever I got there. I loved spending time with Carl and especially all our trips to his camp at Beaver River. Those trips instilled in me such a love of wilderness and a wanderlust for wild places that I was drawn to go to Alaska where I spent 20 years exploring, hunting, fishing and trapping. After that it was Idaho for 6 years, then 6 years as a full-time RV'er(Carl's was the first camper I ever spent time in too at a Pennsylvania Trappers convention). Carl was like a second father to me when it came to things outdoors. He taught me so much and gave me so many fond memories. He will be sorely missed.
Nick Poling
Dewey, AZ
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He has been missed in New Berlin for a long time.
The Lord decided to take him and give him peace. He was a wonderful man. My family and myself thought a lot of him.
Judy Brown
Sherburne, NY
Pat, Thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your Dad.
It's been many years since I've seen you, but know that you're in my thoughts at this sad time.
Christine Carnrike
Norwich, NY
Mike and Pat, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Bob and Shirley Danaher
West Burlington, NY
Pat and Mike, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.
I remember the fun times I had visiting you both and your family. We live so far apart yet you both are always close in my heart
Hugs to both of you.
Barbara Faulter Laine
Chico, CA
Sincere condolences to your family.
I remember visiting many times with my dad.. fondly known as the Swede. Mr. Holdrige's love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing, etc. left a lasting impression on me. My fondest memories of him are of his golden retrievers...my only dog, rusty, was brother to one of Mr. Holdriges.
Kelly Austin Uyehara
Auburn, NY
Were sorry for your loss. Your dad used to come to the Helping Hand dinner and he showed us his beautiful walking cane he made.
Foster & Linda (Randall) Button
Pittsfiled, NY
Mike, Pat and I sent condolences on the loss of your dad. You are fortunate to have had him for so many years
and he sounds like a great community participant and leader. I know you worked hard to assist him these last years.
Best thoughts to you and family.
Robert Mohowski
Greenfield Center, NY
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and all the family at this time of your loss.
Doug Ellison
Warren, PA
Dear Mike and George, I am so sorry to hear about your father's death.
I hope that your many friends will be of comfort during this difficult and sad time. With great sympathy, Becky.
Becky Collin
State College, PA
My sincere sympathy to Aunt Betty, Pat and Mike. I remember Uncle Carl for his passion of hunting, trapping and fishing.
He always had great stories to tell of his adventures. Uncle Carl had the best trained and smartest dogs that always entertained us
with there many tricks. RIP Uncle Carl.
Jane Griffiths
Fort Ann, NY
My deepest sympathy to the Holdridge family. I remember as a little girl walking to school and Carlton would direct traffic and greet every
child as they walk to school with "have a great day". In the summers he would bring his dog down when we all played baseball in the park and
have him do tricks. They he would send us on our way with batter up! Thank you for the legacy you left!
Gina Perry
Latham, NY
|
