Roy E. Camburn

PINE PLAINS — Roy E. Camburn, 93, passed away Feb. 15, 2011, at Saratoga Hospital in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was born March 24, 1917, in Gallatin, N.Y., to the late Ethel (Shook) and Frank Camburn. He was the eldest of seven children.He grew up in northern Dutchess County and attended Red Hook and Pine Plains schools. He was a talented athlete, playing baseball and running cross-country. As a runner, he participated with 350 others in the largest race of the time, held at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Later on, he would become a member of the Pine Plains All- Stars, one of the most successful softball teams in the history of Dutchess County, winning interstate and league championships. He was a sportsman and hunter throughout his life, hunting deer with his good friend Charlie, bowling in state tournaments, playing golf from New York to Florida and fishing with Nelson for pike in Saranac Lake.As a young man, he played in a country band — singing, calling square dances and playing bass guitar. It was on one of those eventful nights that he met his wife to be, Elsie Shook. They were wed on Oct. 1, 1938, and were married for 52 years. She passed away on Oct. 27, 1990.Roy served in the United States Army during World War II as a sergeant stationed in Camp Fannin, Texas. He received the World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon and Sharpshooter Rifle Award. After the war he returned to the Pine Plains area where he took up farming and later carpentry and construction. His love for horses brought him to the Saratoga area in the 1960s and he spent the remainder of his life in Saratoga Springs.He is survived by his three children, Darla Dove of Saratoga Springs, Bonnie Goldner of Westfield, N.J., and Bruce Camburn and his wife, Lynda, of Bunnell, Fla.; a sister, Jean Decker, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y.; a brother, Neal Camburn and his wife, Joan, of Grand Forks, N.D.; his grandchildren, John Dove and his wife, Jennifer, of Clifton Park, N.Y., Hillary Elser and her husband, Chris, of Lancaster, Pa., David Goldner of New York City, Stephen Camburn and his wife, Tiffany, of Newcomerstown, Ohio, and Brittany and Collin Camburn of New Philadelphia, Ohio and Wayne Carlisle of Indiana; and several nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a son, Wayne Camburn; a sister, Lois; and three brothers, Vincent, Kenneth and Ralph.Those who knew Roy found him to be a decent, honest man who remained true to his principles and values throughout his entire life. He possessed a quick wit and marvelous sense of humor. His smile and laughing blue eyes will be greatly missed. Family and friends are welcome to attend his graveside services on Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains, the Rev. Carol Miller officiating.Memorial donations may be made in Roy’s name to the First United Presbyterian Church, PO Box 313, Pine Plains, NY 12567.Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes in Saratoga Springs.Go to www.burkefuneralhome.com to sign an online remembrance.