Obituary of Curtis V. Castner

Brant Lake: Curtis Vernon Castner, 78, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2012 at his home following a struggle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Curt was born the son of Curtis Monroe and Muriel Rodman (Scott) Castner in Suffern, on February 8, 1934. Curt attended the Ramsey, New Jersey school system, and worked with his father as an arborist. He enlisted in the US Army-Air Force in 1952, transferring to the US Air Force serving active until 1956, being promoted to Staff Sgt. in Oct. 1955 before his honorable discharge in 1960. During his service years he attended Weapons Mechanic School, Lowery AFB, CO; Combat Crewman & Jump Training, Fort Benning, GA; and Crew Chief – Military Airlift Com, Westover Field, MA. Following his training he was assigned to places such as Goose Bay, Labrador; Thule, Greenland; and Guam, where he was Load Master on planes that dropped supplies to the troops in Korea. During that time several aircraft in his squadron were shot down; although the aircraft in which he served were riddled with bullets they were the lucky ones who made it through. Following his overseas duty he was stationed at Fort Bragg – Pope Field, NC. On Nov 1955 he married Elisabeth A. Day although the marriage was subsequently dissolved in 1960. Following his discharge, he attended the Van Emburgh School of Art, which led to his love of oil painting. Throughout the years he enjoyed painting many pieces; which he gifted to family and friends. Later, he met and married Nancy E Bamberger on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1962, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Middletown; the couple enjoyed 50 years together. The Castners lived in New Jersey and several homes in lower New York State until July 28, 1967, when they relocated to the Adirondacks. Curt loved his family, including the humongous animal family that he and Nancy kept as pets (including rescued wildlife) during their time together. He loved fishing of all types and enjoyed teaching many youngsters the fun of the sport; he taught them about the catch and release process. He enjoyed deer hunting both in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. While residing downstate he enjoyed hunting partridge, pheasant, and duck. As a youth, rabbit hunting was a favorite but you had to eat what you killed. During his lifetime, Curt was employed as drivers for Overland Express Auto Delivery, Sam Braen Cement Trucking, and Short Line Bus, all of Mahwah, NJ. Following his moved to Brant Lake, he was employed by Horicon Central School as bus driver and janitor. He subsequently took advantage of the military’s GI Bill, training in the field of appliance repair & refrigeration. He embarked on his career of refrigeration service in the North Country; both household and commercial, under the name of Curt’s Refrigeration Service. He was also employed by John (Jack) Bolton School Bus Service at this time. Jack was more than an employer, he, too was a fisherman who instilled in Curt a passion of salt water fishing in Hatteras, NC. In 1982, Curt obtained the position of Zoning Administrator for the Town of Horicon in which he served until his retirement in 1995, due to heath issues. He resumed Curt’s Refrigeration Service, while semi-retired, aiding several individuals. Curt kept an interest in the Horicon Town business; he sought to be appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Following his 2003 appointment he willingly served and attended seminars and schooling until his health issues forced him into his final retirement in August 2012. Curt, along with his family enjoyed traveling to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Buxton, NC over the years. They enjoyed all the sights, but especially just the sand & salt water; the fishing was exceptional that September in 1980. Thus began several trips to the wonderful North Carolina environment; next to the Adirondacks that part of the country became of his favorite. Curt and Nancy also traveled to Columbia, SC; Rio Hondo & So Padre Islands; and region of Southern TX. Some of his most cherished times; the couple was accompanied by their beloved Weimaraner dogs, Heather & Sable. Curt joined several organizations but during his latter years, he involved himself with the VFW as a life member of Post #5513 in Pottersville. One of his proudest moments was being a part of the committee to erect the Chestertown Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated with his help on July 7, 2012. Other than his parents, Curt was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Andrew S. and Lillian D. Castner; maternal grandparents, Winfield A. and Martha B. Scott; and a sister, Mrs. Riika (Ricky Castner) Bowman Roethke Frisbee. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy of Brant Lake; five children: Douglas Castner of Kingston; Brett Castner, and his wife, Cherie of Bomoseen, VT; Sherelyn Castner of Middle Grove; Christal Van Wickler, and her husband, Matthew of Columbia, SC; and Kelly Baldwin, and her husband, Brian of Glens Falls; six grandchildren: Duane Spignardo and his wife, Melissa of Wallkill; Elisabeth Castner Schoonmaker and her husband, Joseph of Wurtsboro; Candace Castner and her fiancé, John Johnson of Troy; Christina Joy (CJ) Van Wickler and her companion, Sam Phillips of Greenville, SC; Caroline (Van Wickler) and her husband, Daniel Lynch; and Nicholas Van Wickler, both of Columbia, SC; one great-granddaughter, Adeline Nicol Spignardo; two great-grandsons, Connor Domenic Spignardo and Hunter Alan Spignardo; former daughter-in-law and “surrogate daughter”, Mary Castner (Michael) Harpp, and “surrogate granddaughter” Audrey Harpp (John) Drum of South Glens Falls, and “surrogate great-granddaughter, Audrianna Marie Drum; along with “special surrogate daughter”, Katherine (Kathie) Brown Spignardo of Modena; brother-in-law, Vincent Frisbee and his family of the Warrensburg area. Curt also leaves behind many childhood friends from NJ and those throughout his lifelong activities. The family wishes to thank all of his physicians, especially Doctors Varaughese, Pillemar, Dulenski, Coombes, Chase, Slatch, Atkins, Kilayko, and especially Dr. Peter Gray, who made a house call recently; Hospice staff and volunteers with special regards to Stacy Chapman and all the visitors both in the hospital and at home; and the North Warren Emergency Squad personnel for all their special care throughout the years. At Curt’s request there are no calling hours scheduled. A graveside service with military honors will take place at 3:00 pm, Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the Brant Lake Cemetery, with Father Robert Limpert of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, officiating. Following the burial, Curt’s family cordially invites all to a reception and celebration of Curt’s life at the American Legion-VFW Hall, Route 9 Chestertown. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Curt’s memory to High Peaks Hospice or the SPCA. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.