HUDSON FALLS – Clifford “Ducky” VanKleeck, Jr., 61, of Oakwood Drive, and formerly of Kingston, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on April 22, 1952, in Kingston, he was the son of Clifford VanKleeck, Sr. and the late Rhoda (Koeppen) VanKleeck.
Clifford was a graduate of Kingston High School. After his graduation, he spent the next 18 years driving truck for Greenhouse, Inc. in Albany. After leaving Greenhouse, Inc., Clifford became an explosives expert, working for Austin Powder Company of Catskill for eight years. Clifford eventually moved to Green Mountain Explosives in Hartford, where he retired as a Site Manager.
While in Kingston, Clifford was a Lieutenant in the volunteer fireman for Sawkill Volunteer Fire Department for eight years. He loved playing darts, fishing and hunting in the Catskills. He also enjoyed watching the fireworks and feeding the ducks at Lake George. Clifford was a big animal lover, especially his dogs, Austin and Sock.
On July 7, 2003, he married Jill Terwilliger on the Saint Luc De Sacrament in Lake George.
He is survived by his father Clifford VanKleeck, Sr. of Kingston; his living wife, Jill VanKleeck of Hudson Falls; his children, Clifford M. VanKleeck and his wife, Hope of South Cairo, Tricia Freligh and her husband, Gordon of North Carolina and Jeff Terwilliger of Marrietta, Ohio; his grandchildren, Joshua VanKleeck, Damian Markle, Addison Freligh and Jack Freligh; his great grandson, Nathan Markle; his sister, Darlene Reinhardt and her husband, Tom of Kingston; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Friends may call on Friday, January 24, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Memorial donations may be sent to Make a Wish Foundation of Northeast, NY, One Mustang Drive, Colonie, NY 12047 or the SPCA, PO Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.