Obituary of Clarence Oarr

Clarence Oarr, formerly of St. Johnsville NY, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018 at Nathan Littauer Rehabilitation Center, Gloversville, NY. Clarence was born in Amsterdam October 8, 1923 to Ethel Emma Huhn and Clarence Oarr, Sr. He spent the first ten years of his life living and attending school in Ft. Johnson, NY. In 1933, he moved with his parents to a home his father built on Howlan Street in Tribes Hill. He attended school there as well as Amsterdam, graduating from Wilbur H. Lynch High School at age 15 in 1939.He had a flair for both sports and journalism, and was the sports editor of the Albany Teacher's College newspaper from 1940-1942. While attending Albany's Teacher's College, he enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of WWII. He was stationed to guard the Panama Canal from invaders, and completed his education after he mustered out in 1945. Clarence was an educator, obtaining a teaching degree in secondary science and first taught in Woodridge, Green County, NY. During the summer, he was frequently seen driving his vegetable cart in the Westerlo, NY area. For a decade, he worked at the New York State Employment office on Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam, as well as Miles Shoe Store in Amsterdam. He was involved in the Tribes Hill Boy Scout program as a leader, the Tribes Hill Little League as a coach and was a member of the Tribes Hill Villagers Club as well as the Ft. Johnson Firemen's Minstrel Group. He served as choir director at one time at the Tribes Hill Presbyterian Church. In 1961, he completed his master's degree at Syracuse University in Guidance and Administration and began a new career as a guidance counselor at both Oppenheim and Perth Central School Districts. In 1964, he became the guidance director at St. Johnsville Central School where he was employed until his retirement in 1983. Clarence was an avid reader, chess player, golfer and bowler. In 1993, he won first place in both bowling and golf, representing the State of New York in the Senior Olympics held in San Antonio Texas. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and playing bridge. He married Norma Alberta Smith in Ft. Johnson in 1944. They enjoyed a life long marriage until her death in 1993. He is survived by two sons, Brian (Judy) Oarr of Las Vegas, Nevada and Stephen (Patty) Oarr of Gloversville, NY (With whom he made his home until recently); two daughters, Kathleen E. Smith, Asheville NC and Christine Oarr (Gordon) Eggleston, Fort Plain. Clarence had eleven grandchildren, Peter Oboyski, Gavin Eggleston, Erica Oarr Duchette, Matthew Eggleston, Patrick Oarr, Jordan Oarr (Peter) Carta, Katie Oarr, Adam Oarr, Christopher Oarr, and Andrew Oarr. And one great grandchild, Brett Skeliski. Relatives and Friends are invited to call at the Walrath & Stewart Family Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12010 on Thursday March 15, 2018 from 4 to 7 PM. A burial will take place in the family plot of the Ephratah Cemetery in the Spring. Online Condolences may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com.