Author Archives: CFH

HUDSON FALLS – Colonel John P. Folk, US Army Retired, 77, of Hudson Falls, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016, at the Glens Falls Hospital.

Born November 8, 1938, in the Bronx, he was the son of the late John C. and Mary Ellen (O’Hara) Folk.

On November 7, 2009, John married Margaret Kochersberger.

John proudly served in the United States Army. He enlisted at age 17, and went on to become a Sergeant and then went to officer training finally achieving the rank of Colonel.  Then he wanted to stay in so he became WO 2.  During his military career he was a Green Beret Drill Instructor, Serial Observer, Paratrooper, Pathfinder, Field Artillery, Missal Artillery, CRV, Special Forces, Quarter Master Corps, Transportation Corps and received many awards including the Field Artillery Honor Award.  He retired with 38 years of service.

After his retirement from the Army, John went to work for Pinkerton and was promoted to District Director.

He was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls, where he served as an usher. He enjoyed Dutch oven cooking, traveling, reading and was an history buff.

John was a Boy Scout leader, a member of the American Indian Society, a member of Heluska and a member of the Hudson Falls Fish and Gun Club.  He also was a paid for life Hudson Falls Legion Member, Sons of the Post 574, for 20 years, a member of the American Legion Riders Post 574, the American Legion Press, the Association, both state and national, Honorary Life Membership in Anavicus (Army, Navy and Air Force in Canada US), past Legion Commander, past 4^th District Vice Commander, past 4^th District Adjutant, past 4^th District Judge Advocate, past 4^th District Washington County Judge Advocate, Washington County Commander from 2001-2002, past New York Department Vice Commander, American Legion Boy’s State Director, Paid life member of 40/8, past CHEF DE GARE 2000-2002 and past cheminot, 2016 Friends of the Smithsonian member, counselor for the American Legion Boy’s State for the past 15 years, 4^th District American Legion Oratorical Chairmen, Post 574 Compliance Officer, a member of the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow and a member of the Monsignor Arthur S. Kiffin Knights of Columbus Council 296 of Hudson Falls and was a 3 and 4^th Degree Knight.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his first wife, Bridget Ellen (Rooney) Folk.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Folk of Hudson Falls; his children, John J. Folk and his wife Diane of Oswego, Patricia A. Barber and her husband, Robert, of Ballston Spa, Joan M. Martin and her husband, Steven, of Guilderland, and Brian M. Folk and his wife Min of Elkins Park, PA of Phoenixville, PA; his nine grandchildren, Meagan Sanko and her husband, Matthew, Jessica Folk, Sean Barber, John Cory Folk, Maureen Folk, Scott Martin, Christina Martin, Annalyse Folk and Isabelle Folk; his great granddaughter, Maeve Sanko; his brother, Dennis Folk and his wife, Kathy, of Ridge, Long Island as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, in Hudson Falls.

Following the calling hours, the American Legion, Post 574 will conduct a service at 7 p.m., followed by a service conducted by Monsignor Arthur S. Kiffin Knights of Columbus Council 296 of Hudson Falls, at the funeral home.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park in Hudson Falls, with the Reverend Thomas Babiuch, pastor, officiating.

The Rite of Committal with full military honors will take place at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, in the town of Stillwater.

Following the Rite of Committal, all are welcome to a gathering at American Legion Post 574 on Perl St. in Hudson Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of John may be made to the American Legion Department of New York, 112 State Street, Suite 1300, Albany, New York 12207.