James Francis Whitbeck, Jr , VRHS Class of 1943
Whitbeck, James Francis Jr. RENSSELAER James Francis Whitbeck Jr., 89, passed away July 4, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones at Van Rensselaer Manor. A lifelong resident of Rensselaer, he was born October 28, 1925, the son of the late James F. Whitbeck Sr. and Ethel (Brockett) Whitbeck. Jim was also predeceased by a sister, Edith VanGelder and the mother of his daughters, Shirley (Cleiss) Whitbeck. Jim attended Rensselaer public schools and was a former member of St Paul's Lutheran Church until it closed and then became a regular communicant of the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush. He was employed for many years by Conrail as a brakeman and prior to that, he worked for the Rensselaer School System. Mr. Whitbeck served in the Navy on the destroyer escort, the USS Snowden, and attained the rank of motor machinist's mate third class. He was an active member of the Albany Chapter of the U.S. Navy Armed Guard. Jim was a life member of the James Hill Hook and Ladder, the Troy Lodge of Elks, the Rensselaer American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His hobby was collecting old postcards and photos of the City of Rensselaer. His passion was dancing-ballroom, Western, Line and Square. He was a member and volunteer at the Rensselaer Area Senior Center, where he was voted the "Senior of the Year" 2002. He also was a member of the Yankee Doodle Entertainers. Jim loved performing karaoke at the Rensselaer VFW. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his signature ties and his commitment to family. "Family comes first." Mr Whitbeck was the beloved father of Jeanette Whitbeck of Glenmont, Patricia Whitbeck of Castleton, Luanne Whitbeck (Dean Long) of Slingerlands, Marjorie Catalano of Delmar, Lois Frunz (Gary) of Sumter, S.C. and Allison Cranmer (Dave) of Williston,Vt.; eight grandchildren, Lindsey, Lance and Lucas (Mallory) Wilde, James and Daniel MacDonald, Michael Ackerman, Maria (Dan) Conophy and Gina (Josh) Sands and two great-grandchildren. He was the dear friend of Olive Felio. Jim's daughters would like to thank the staff of A-2 and the Activites Department of Van Rensselaer Manor for their kindnesses shown their beloved father. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Thursday, July 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk., Rensselaer. Interment with full military honors at 1 p.m. at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.