SARATOGA SPRINGS — Paul VanCour, 88, passed away Tuesday, September 17.
Paul was born October 28, 1924 to Fred P. VanCour and Florence (O’Malley) VanCour. He grew up on the family’s dairy farm in Bloomingdale and delivered milk in the Saranac Lake area for many years. It was in his beloved Adirondacks where Paul started his life-long love of the outdoors, and during his life Paul spent many enjoyable times hunting and fishing. Paul was also an accomplished heavy equipment operator and helped build many highway projects, among them the Adirondack Northway.
In 1966, he married the love of his life, Jeanne Decoeur Chretien. They moved to Ocala, Florida where they bought and operated the Orange Blossom Motel on Silver Springs Boulevard for many years. Later Paul and Jeanne built their dream home in the Ocala National Forest, living there and making many friends and memories. In 1996, for their retirement years, they moved to Embury Apartments in Saratoga Springs. Paul and Jeanne shared many happy times working with their friends Fran and Charlie Clough at the Stetkar Farm harvesting and selling apples every Fall.
Paul was predeceased by his parents, his brother Peter VanCour and his sister Sally (VanCour) Bouck.
Paul is survived by his sister, Inez VanCour, of Front Royal, Virginia and stepsons Tom Chretien (Margaret) of Saratoga Springs, Paul Chretien (Julie) of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Gerry Chretien (Carol) of Moline, Illinois; grandchildren Chad Chretien, Stacy Wilson (Bill), and Corrie Nelson (Anthony); and great-grandchildren Morgyn Britt, Alexis Britt, Isaak Britt, Natalie Wilson and Owen Nelson, as well as cousins and nieces.
The family would like to especially thank the care providers at the Wesley Health Care Center and at Embury for the kind and gentle care they gave our beloved Paul.
There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, October 4 at St. Clements Church. Interment will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Tupper Lake on Sunday, October 6 at 1 p.m.
The family wishes that any memorial donation be given to the Wesley Health Care Center, Inc., 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
