The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Calvin B. Atwater

By

Stephentown – Calvin B. Atwater, 84, of Presbyterian Hill Road, Stephentown, NY, died on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at his home. He was surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. He was born on June 22, 1926, in Stephentown to John and Hazel Atwater. He grew up in Stephentown and graduated from New Lebanon High School in 1944. Cal served in the US Army Air Force from 1944 to 1947 with the rank of Sgt. Major. Cal married his high school sweetheart Virginia (Wilt) Atwater on March 6, 1948.
Mr. Atwater worked for his uncle in the lumber business, and, in the late 1940s, he and his brother Will formed Atwater Bros., a construction company. For many years Cal worked for Lebanon Valley Speedway doing track maintenance and as the Pit Steward.
In 1990 he retired from the New Lebanon Central School District after 20 years of driving school buses and working in the transportation department. In retirement Mr. Atwater spent many years caring for the Garfield Cemetery. He enjoyed camping and hunting.
Mr. Atwater was a proud member of the NRA, the Stephentown Veterans and the Stephentown Historical Society. He was a lifelong member of the Stephentown Federated Church.
He is pre-deceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Virginia Wilt. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Donald P. and Carol Atwater of Dalton, MA, Judith E. and John Harper of Iron Station, NC, Elizabeth A. and Richard Hanlon of Richmond, VT, Karen S. and Rick Lappi of Charlotte, NC,  and Brian C. and Kimberly Atwater of Castaic, CA, his grandchildren, Riva Atwater, Erin Hanlon, Shaun Lappi, Ashley and Stacey Atwater, Daniel Wallace and Brandon Jones, his great-grandchildren, Brook Gates, Michael and Salvatore and Melana Nataro, and several nieces and nephews.
His family also wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Kearns, Dr. Thomas Dunzendorfer,  Dr. Gordon Bird,  Susan Earle and the 3 East Surgical staff at BMC,  Nancy Bullock and the Eddy VNA and Community Hospice of Rensselaer for all of their compassionate care and support through their father’s illness.
At Mr. Atwater’s request there will be no calling hours. A graveside service at the Garfield Cemetery will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stephentown Federated Church or the Stephentown Veterans in care of Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, P.O. Box 9, Stephentown, NY, 12168.