William Pope

He was born on Oct. 4, 1929, in Bronx and was the son of the late William J. and Sarah (Feldman) Pope and brother to Mabel (Joe) Soro and Caroline (Joe) Cruz.

William attended St. Augustus High School and upon graduation served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. After being honorably discharged, he worked for several years in New York City until he and his family moved to Saranac Lake in 1969.

Over the years William owned several businesses in the Saranac Lake area, including E-John’s and Walsh’s Store. In his later retirement years, he worked as a certified alcohol rehabilitation counselor at St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Saranac Lake. He enjoyed fishing on Long Island Sound, hunting in the Catskills, sitting outdoors relaxing, reading his science fiction novels, and loved smoking cigars.

William is predeceased by his son William P. Pope.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly (Gehrig) Pope, whom he married on June 13, 1953, having just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary; two daughters, Deborah Butler of Schuylerville and Theresa (Joel) Church of Delanson; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 651 Main St., Cobleskill. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, NY. Further information and the provision for online condolences may be found at www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com.