Obituary of Leland W. Van Der Veer

Leland W. "Boots" Van Der Veer, 85, of South Melcher Street, Johnstown, formerly of Fultonville, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. He was born in Sprakers on May 13, 1923 a son of the late Leland and Margaret Angley Van Der Veer. He was raised in the Town of Glen and was a 1941 graduate of Fultonville Union Free High School. He then served his country with the US ARMY from 1943 to 1945. During that time he served in the 48th Combat Engineers under the 1108th Combat Engineer Group. He served in North Africa, Italy, Rome, the Southern France Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He also crossed the Rhine River into and through Germany into Austria. When the war was over, he was Honorably Discharged with a grade of Sergeant in November, 1945. Boots married the former Geraldine P. Davis of St. Johnsbury, VT on January 8, 1950. Two sons, Danny Lee and William N. Van Der Veer were born of this union. He worked on the NYS Thruway and the Massachusetts Turnpike for 3 years. He then went to work for Anderson Instrument Co. in 1956, remaining there until his retirement from management after 33 years with the company. He was elected to the Town of Glen Town Council in 1968 and serving for 16 years and was a member of the Republican Committee. Boots was a member of the Glen Volunteer Fire Department since 1956 and was a founding member of the Fonda-Fultonville Volunteer Ambulance Corp. F.F.V.A.C. and became a riding member, E.M.T., First Aid Instructor and former Corp. Captain. He was a member of Glen Reformed Church and was a 50 year member of Fultonville Lodge #531, F&AM, Shriners and was a life member of the North American Hunting Club. His loving family includes his sons, William N. "Bill" Van Der Veer of Glen and Danny Lee Van Der Veer of Ft. Hunter, his grandchildren, Sean Patrick Van Der Veer, Catlyn Shelley Van Der Veer and Rita Jean Van Der Veer, his great-grandson, Robert Carter and his two nieces, Linda and Nancy. In addition to his parents, Boots was predeceased by his brother, Harold. Funeral Services will be at 12:00 Noon on Friday, April 24, 2009 at Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville, NY. Interment will follow with full Military Honors in Maple Avenue Cemetery, Fultonville. The family will receive relatives and friends two hours prior to Services on Friday from 10:00AM to 12:00 Noon. Members of Fultonville Lodge #531 F&AM will meet at 11:00AM Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in Boots' memory may be made to the Town of Glen Volunteer Fire Department, 134 Auriesville Road, Fultonville, NY 12072.