Lester P. Daby

Lester P. Daby, of Port Henry, N.Y. passed away with his loving family by his side, May 22,

2021 at the Elizabethtown Hospital at age 92. Born December 2, 1928 in Ticonderoga, N.Y.

Son of Harry & Ida (Sartwell) Daby. They were living in Ironville, N.Y.

Survived by his wife, Joan (Crawford), daughter, Fawn (Bob) Daby-Merrill of Peebles, Ohio

and son, David (Toni) Daby of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Two Grandchildren: Laurel (Christopher) Rice and Travis (Amanda) Campbell.

Seven Great-grandchildren, Brother-in-Law, Norman Crawford, Sister-in-Law, Cheryl (John)

Adams and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Predeceased by his Mother, Father and brother, Julius.

Lester’s schooling was in Ludlow, Mass. for grades K-2, in Ironville grades 2-4, while living

in Stoney Lonesome, then went to school at the Crown Point Central School for grades 5-12,

graduating in 1947.

Lester had several jobs during his lifetime, starting while still in school. His first job was

with Albert Deyo’s gas station-learning glass cutting (for cars) and helping to make tops for

convertibles, besides pumping gas and garage work for two years.

He worked for Paul Hudon, handling pulpwood, logging, cutting and hauling logs to saw mills

and pulp wood to International Paper Co. in Ticonderoga. He was throwing pieces of wood off

the back of the truck and the wood hook stuck and he was pulled into the flume, which was 12'

straight down to where the wood goes into the chipper. He was pulled to safety just in time,

thankfully receiving just a cut on his head.

Through the years he worked with truck driving jobs - hauling apples to N.Y.C. for Claymore

Farms, drove for Al Belden and Adkins & Scott hauling canned goods.

He went to work for Republic Steel Corp. in Dec. 1948. Jobs were underground at Clonan

Mine laying track, then Drill school and became a driller at Fisher Hill.

Came to another close call when he and 5 others were being hoisted up to the surface at Clonan

and the pinion on the hoist broke and the car began falling - passing by the levels and they

jumped off just before the car stopped near hitting bottom.

In 1950 Lester was in a car wreck and in 1951 was transferred to the surface-first at Fisher

Hill as cleaner and night watchman then sent to the Garage near Don B Hoist house where he

eventually became a Dray Order truck driver, getting items from the warehouse. At that time

1953, he met Joan, as she was the Secretary there at the warehouse. They were married July 12,

1953. 1960 he was moved to #7 Mill. After several layoffs, he worked at Harry Johnson’s Inc. in

Elizabethtown, Belden & Edwards Garage in Port Henry, then in 1966 he went to work at

International Paper Co. as paper handler, etc. and in May 1978 he transferred to Security and

retired Feb. 1, 1991 after 25 years.

Lester joined the L.F.Sprague Co. Fire Dept. Oct. 8, 1959, which later became known at the

Port Henry Fire Dept. He liked driving the fire truck to fires and parades. He was 2nd Assistant

Chief from 1962-1964. He was proud to be a volunteer Fireman. 61 yrs.

He liked to hunt and fish, especially deer hunting. Shortly after retiring from the Mill, he

joined the 770 Hunting Camp in Stoney Lonesome. He loved going to Stoney Lonesome. He

lived there for some of his younger life and his Grandparents and Uncle resided there for many

years.

Lester enjoyed sharing his life stories to his many friends.

He was a pretty good marksman and was an avid gun collector. He taught our children about

gun safety and how to shoot at a young age.

He loved Country music and listening to his brother playing guitar and singing and enjoyed

square dancing, very much. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle.

Many Thanks to the Elizabethtown Hospital Nursing Staff for their excellent care given to

Lester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Port Henry Fire Dept.

Funeral arrangements are with the Harland Funeral Home. August 4th at 11:00 a.m. Services will

be held at the Funeral Home, with the burial right after in the Union Cemetery.

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