Al Welch has passed

Many Frost Valley'ers will fondly remember the Devlin family. Bill came to Frost Valley in around 1967 as a property manager and soon became FV's first Environmental Education Director. Eva did many things over the years in the kitchen and at the Castle. Their three daughters, Lorraine, Eileen, and Patti, grew up at Frost Valley. 

Lorraine married Al Welch who (I believe) also worked at Frost Valley. They moved to nearby Neversink and were married for 40 years. I'm sorry to report that in January Al died at the too-young age of 61. Below is the published obituary.

*

William (Al) Welch, age 61 a long time resident of Neversink, NY passed away on January 8, 2013 after a short illness. 

Al was born in Torrington, CT on November 14, 1951. He graduated from Tri-Valley Central School and continued on to military service with the U.S. Navy Seabees where he served for four years. 

Al worked as an operating engineer for 20 years, and retired as a groundskeeper for Tri-Valley Central School in 2010. Al was also actively involved with the Neversink Fire Company for many years where he served as a Commissioner and volunteer fireman. In retirement he thoroughly enjoyed motorcycling, spending time with close friends and family, woodworking, and fellowshipping with his MSBF Church family. He will be remembered for his “quick wit,” and “always lending a helping hand.” 

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lorraine Welch, daughter Tina Tynecki and her husband James of Hellertown, PA, son Thomas Welch and his wife Denise of Glen Spey, NY, a brother Gilbert T. Welch and his wife Susan of Woodbourne, NY, a sister Susan Harris of Brooksville, FL, as well as several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Al is preceded in death by his father Gilbert T. Welch, mother Irene A. Welch and one sister, Sarah Kay who died as an infant. 

Calling hours will be held at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne, NY from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 12 after which a short memorial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to MSBF (Main Street Bible Fellowship) Ministries, PO Box 344, Livingston Manor, NY 12758 (http://www.msbfministries.org/) or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 (www.hospiceoforange.com)

Pop Turner

If you were around Frost Valley in the 1980s, especially between September and June, there's a good chance that you went on a hayride driven by Milton Turner, whom everyone knew as "Pop." In the winter, he brought his horses and took folks out across the fields in a big sleigh. You'll remember Marge, too - and their daughter Margie (horsebarn staff in the mid-80s).

I'm sorry to report here that Pop Turner passed away last night. Below are a few notes from Glenn Horton.

**

from Glenn Horton: 

Milton (Pop) Turner passed away last night after a short fight with cancer. Pop was very much involved with the Frost Valley family during the '80s. He and his wife Marge worked in various capacities Frost Valley but he was probably most well known for his horses Ben and Don, who spent countless weekends taking families and groups on hayrides and winter sleigh rides. Pop loved the Frost Valley community and I know the folks that got to know him enjoyed his company as well. I do not have information on services yet, but when I do I will pass them on.

Obituary from the Record:

October 25, 1925 - February 11, 2013
Woodbourne, NY

Milton Turner of Woodbourne passed away on Monday, February 11, 2013 at Catskill Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 87.
He was the son of the late Vernon and Hazel Geer Turner, born on October 25, 1925 in Divine Corners, NY.

He proudly served our country in the United States Army during World War II. Milton was a member of the Hudson Valley Draft Horse Association, Cornell Corporative and an honorary member of the FFA. He was a retired correctional officer for the NYS Department of Corrections. He had a special love of horses and liked to be outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to all that knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving children: two sons, Dewayne and his wife, Peggy of Woodbourne, Jan and his wife, Mildred of Spring Mills, PA; two daughters, Marjorie Coelho of Woodbourne, Carol and her husband, Fred Shaver of Lew Beach; two foster daughters, Bertha O`Toole, and Bernice Barrett; eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Sylvia Kortright, Marion Keator; and one brother, Vernon Turner. He was predeceased by his devoted wife, Marjorie E. Turner and one son, Lewis Turner.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be on Friday, February 15, 2013 at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers donations in Milton's name can be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550, or a charity of ones own choice.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home and Cremation Services; for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit our website at

summer storm comin'

 

I love looking up at the Castle just before a summer storm hits.

pooch

Alex Papouchis at the Labor Day 2011 reunion.

real winter weather

I spent a good but very chilly weekend at Frost Valley. The Board of Trustees gathered for a long session on board development and governance - very successful discussions! This morning I departed early. Here you see sunrise from the Castle lawn, and, above that, a look at the road about 3 miles west of camp. Brrrr!