HUDSON FALLS – Harry Vale “The Fox” Livingston, III- On Thursday, March 23, 2017, Harry passed away peacefully of a “broken heart”, surrounded by his loving family at his side, at the age of 77.
Harry was born on April 12, 1939 and was the eldest son to the late Harry Vale Livingston, Sr. and Loretta Mae (Spellburg) Livingston. Besides his parents, Harry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marie Agnes Livingston, brother, Larry Livingston and sister, Deborah (Livingston) Hurlburt, several aunts and uncles and very good friends, Bill and Joyce Guilder.
Through the younger years, Harry learned to farm and he use to rope and ride horses, competing in many rodeos, with his father and uncles. When he was younger, Harry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a passion for fast cars, fast women and beer, until he was finally tamed by one woman, the love of his life, Marie Agnes (Pedersen) Livingston, whom he spent 42 ½ years of marriage. He always felt blessed to have raised his family with this wonderful woman.
Growing up, Harry drove truck for his father’s business in their junk yard, from the age of 16 to 26. From that point on, truck driving became his career. He hauled loads for several companies, including Northway Equipment, Cumberland Farms, Pallets Inc., Russo’s, Gilbert Carrier, IDC, Saratoga Board and Yank. Finally, he spent 24 ½ years with Red Star Express Lines, where he proudly was entered into the Million Miler Club, for having a safe and accident free driving record, while hitting the milestone of over a million miles of driving truck. He retired from Red Star Express in 2001.
After retiring, Harry enjoyed going to all the local diners to have coffee with “the boys”, Gus, Jarrod and Donny. He loved their conversations and gossiping with them. Harry called them the “Gang that tried to solve all the world’s problems” but they spent more time talking about cars and women and reminiscing about the good ole days. He says he will have a hot cup of coffee ready and waiting for all of you, so we can pick up on our conversations, again. He also enjoyed hanging out with Merv at the garage and picking on the girls at the Stewart’s Shop on Dix Ave, where he would sit and have coffee and do his scratch off tickets, as he was harassing them. Harry was always glad that the girls could give it back. More than going from diner to diner, what he enjoyed the most was spending time with his family having cookouts, dinners at their homes, and spending quality time with all of his children. He loved Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and cookouts and parties, when the whole family got together and he could spend time with them. Although he “sat back quietly” for the most part, he was able to embrace how very fortunate he was to have ended up with such a great family to surround him. Harry felt blessed and honored to have such a wonderful family. He enjoyed picking on his family and making them laugh or laughing at their expense. More than anything, he will miss spending his time with all his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
Harry is survived by his four children, his son, Tony Twiss of Hudson Falls and three daughters, Kimberly (John) Fenton of Hudson Falls, Suzanne (John) Davis of Gansevoort and his little rug rat daughter, Sherry (Sean) Bickford of Hudson Falls; his very special grandchildren, Sheena (Seth) Gordon, Shannon Fenton, Dylan Fenton & fiancée, Kera Rucker, Dana Davis Dunn, John (Nicole) Davis, Jr., Nick Davis, Alyssa Davis, a very special grandson, whom he raised as his own son, John “Sky” David Earl, Jr. and Xander Bickford. He was blessed with his great grandchildren, Chloe and Johnny Davis III, Troy Schusteritsch, Jaslyn and Jaxon Osborne and Kole Maynard; his brothers and sisters, Robert and Sharon Livingston, Bruce and Anna “Cookie” Livingston, Diane Hurlburt, Mary and Ed Gillis and Sharon and Tom Simpson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Harry requests that longtime friends, Pat and Jobie Breason and Sandy Woodcock now look over his children, “keep them in line and hold the fort down”. He appreciates their commitment and friendship throughout the years and wishes to thank them for everything they have done with Marie and him on helping to raise their children, but they are NOW your responsibility.
Harry wants everyone to know that he had cancer, but it was not the cancer that got him in the end. It was a broken heart from not having his wife of 42 ½ years with him, since she passed away on January 15, 2016. Once Marie left him, his heart was broken. The love he had for her was immeasurable. Harry’s advice is “do not waste time because it is true – you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” Once Marie was gone, everything became clear for Harry. He loved her with all his heart and also asked God to take him to her, so he could make up for everything she deserved, which was more love from him. Harry’s advice is “to tell those you love you’re sorry and that you love them.” He will now fly high and both him and Marie will watch over their family. One last word from Harry to all his trucker friends, “I’m taking my last ride, northbound, hammered down on the golden highway – This is the Cannonball signing off.”
The family would like to send a special thanks to Dr. Beaty, Dr. B. Frazier Taylor and Dr. Darci Gaiotti-Grubbs, from the Glens Falls Hospital Cancer Center, for their continued support and care so Dad could enjoy his last moments at home.
Friends may call on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Funeral Services will follow the calling hours on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be later in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
In lieu of donations, Harry’s request is that you save your money and go have a cold Genessee Light beer for him, as he is now with those whom he missed dearly, especially, his Marie.
