Vaughn Woodworth

SARATOGA SPRINGS —With heavy hearts the Woodworth family announces the passing of their beloved Vaughn, 85, who departed peacefully at the Saratoga Hospital on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

Vaughn was born on July 27, 1937 and raised in Saratoga Springs, son of the late Daniel and Louise Woodworth. He was a 1955 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and was a lifetime resident of Saratoga and Malta, his only time living away from his beloved community from 1956-62 while proudly serving his country in the United States Navy.

A Saratogian through and through, Vaughn devoted himself to many civic activities throughout his life. He served on numerous boards including the Chamber of Commerce where he served as the Chairman of the Traffic Safety Committee and bolstered the annual membership drives, the Saratoga Springs Planning Board, the Assessment Review Board and the Malta Zoning Board of Appeals. He also belonged to and supported many organizations including the Jaycees where he served as Membership Chairman, the United Way, the Cancer Crusade of Saratoga County where he served as Chairman, the Elks Lodge 161 where he was a member since 1966 and served as Exalted Ruler. He was also instrumental in the organization of the Flag Day Parades through the years.

Vaughn worked in Saratoga his entire life and was well respected in his community as an insurance agent and later on as a real estate agent which he pursued right up to the time of his passing. His good humor, kind demeanor and sage counsel will be missed. Vaughn was blessed with a large and loving family and took great pleasure in their company. He also enjoyed handicapping at the track and a craps table at a casino, but he especially enjoyed the family poker games, which he helped organize at every family gathering, which were frequent. He was affectionately known as Grampie Milkshake and was inundated with requests from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren for his famous chocolate shakes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Lavonne Woodworth; his loving children, Matthew Woodworth, JoAnn Woodworth Grande (Timothy), William Woodworth (Patricia), Jeff Woodworth (Amy Shores), Kelley Allen (Todd), Scott Blaauboer (Jennifer Lee), Michael Blaauboer (Tia Lubis) and Myoungnam Kim Blaauboer; his cherished grandchildren, Matthew Woodworth (Kaitlin), Jaci Burke (Phillip), Rachel Laflash (Zachary), Leigh Woodworth (Zachary Whitney), Paige Woodworth, Timothy Grande (Courtney), Max Grande (Caitlin), John Woodworth, Nikolas Woodworth, Jessica Woodworth, Jack Woodworth, Tyler Elliott (Jasmine), Michael Elliott (Carly), Nicole Elliott, Bradley Elliott (Julie), Wade Blaauboer (Mary), Miranda Blaauboer (Payton), Everett Blaauboer; ten adored great-grandchildren and his dear sister Debra Woodworth. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother William Woodworth and his son Mark Blaauboer.

Vaughn will be honored with a burial with military honors at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.followed by a celebration of life at the Elks Lodge #161 at 3:30 p.m.; all who knew him are invited to attend to share remembrances of his wonderful life. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Saratoga Hospital. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all of Vaughn’s extraordinary care givers at the Saratoga Hospital including Dr. Laddis, Dr. Dooley, Dr. Otto, Dr. Smith and all the compassionate and loving nurses and CNAs on D1.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com