Remmers, Gerd

caption

Obituary

BERNE — Gerd Remmers, a Hilltown dairy farmer and volunteer fireman who flew for the United States Coast Guard, died on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at his home in Berne. He was 87. He was born on June 1, 1925 in Norden, Friesland in Holland, the son of John Karl and Anna Gerdis (Jannsen) Remmers. He came to America on April 22, 1929 and to Gallupville in May of 1933. He attended the one-room schoolhouse on the Gallupville- Knox Road and then attended Schoharie Central School, graduating in 1943. He was the owner of Berne View Farms. He became a successful dairy farmer, purchasing his first farm in 1948, and later worked many years for the New York State Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Dairymen’s League Association, and he was the secretary and president of the now defunct Beaverdam Local. He also was a charter member of the Gallupville Fire Department, a 25-year member of the Berne Fire Department, and a current member of the Knox Fire Department where he served as a fire police officer. He was a former member of the New York and International Flying Farmers and a Past Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he served as a patrols specialist. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 91, in Mechanicville, where he served as chaplain. He was a member of the Forty and Eight Society No. 958 in Saratoga, serving as Chef de Gare Passe; the society was formed after World War I, taking its names from the stenciling on boxcars carrying troops to the front in France — they could hold 40 men or eight horses. Mr. Remmers was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Schoharie Lodge No. 491; he also was the patron of The Order Of The Eastern Star, Helderberg No. 331 in Altamont. He was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 32nd degree Mason, member of the Cyprus Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Albany, where he played in the Shiners’ Hillbilly Band. And, he was a member of Kaa Rheu Vahn Persian Grotto in Latham, where he held the office of Monarch. His wife Pauline Dorothy Maslowsky died before him as did his later wife, Barbara Martineau. He is survived by his children, John Remmers and his wife, Mary; Patricia Rapoli and her husband, George; Robert Remmers and his wife, Patricia; and Barbara Turi and her husband, Anthony. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Hans, Lauren, and Ashleigh Remmers and Michael and Gabrielle Turi. He is survived, too, by his step-grandchildren, Kiley and his wife, Jennifer, and Kypp Wetmore and his wife, Neda. A service was held on Aug. 10 at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Interment will be on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at The Gallupville Cemetery.

Altamont Enterprise – Thursday, August 16, 2012

Additional Media

Sources

---