Paul H. VanArnum

Greenfield Center

Paul H. VanArnum, 83, of Wilton Road, passed away peacefully, Friday morning, April 27, 2018 at his home.

Born on April 20, 1935 in Troy, he was the son of the late Wesley and Alta (Elvins) VanArnum. He served in the United States Army Security Agency from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1960. While he was in the Army, he ran a local Boy Scout Troop and worked on a dairy farm in order to earn enough money to buy a 1938 International pick-up truck that he drove from California to New York at a top speed of 40 m.p.h. Once home, he continued to lead the Greenfield Center Boy Scout Troop 18.

Upon his return from the Army, Paul had worked for Davey Tree Service and Abaleen Tree Service as a climber for several years. He then married Daisy Newton and they owned and operated a landscaping business and VanArnum's flower shop in Pyramid Mall and the Johnstown Mall for many years. He owned and operated VanArnum's Greenhouses in Greenfield Center for over 50 years. Following Daisy's death, he married Betsy Walsh Farr. Paul and Betsy were well known at the local farmer's markets and the Washington County Fair.

Paul was a hard worker, dedicated to his greenhouses and his family. He faithfully stoked the woodstove in the greenhouses at all hours of the day and night. He and his wife, Betsy along with many members of the family worked many long hours making kissing balls and Christmas wreaths to be distributed throughout the area. He could be easily spotted wearing one of his many hats. Paul touched many lives and enjoyed a nice long conversation with everyone he met.

He enjoyed traveling, especially to the Maine coast to see the lighthouses. He also enjoyed visiting Tennessee and when he and Betsy took the "trip of a lifetime", an Alaskan cruise.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 29 years, Daisy (Newton) VanArnum, who died in 1990; his brother, Arthur VanArnum; his sister, Doris M. Perry; a grandson, Brian Marcotte.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 27 years, Betsy VanArnum; two daughters: Sherry (Stephen) Kloss of Greenfield Center, SueAnn (Robert) Chase of Greenfield Center; four step-daughters: DeeDee Hamza of Hampton, NH, Dawn (Andre) Marcotte of Corinth, Dorinda (Dave) Leroux of Argyle, Donita Farr of Corinth; 10 grandchildren: Douglas, Kaci, Shannon, Christin, Tessa, Jazmin, Katie, Michael, Brittany, Robert III; 10 great grandchildren: Lliam, Benjamin, Dougie, Andrew, Bryson, Theo, Monet, Korali, Alice, Gabriel; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call Monday from 4-7 p.m. at Brewer Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne.

Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the funeral home.

Burial with military honors will be in Greenfield Cemetery, Greenfield Center.

Paul's family would like to thank Hospice of Saratoga for their wonderful care and support and to all of his wonderful friends that visited and helped when the family needed a hand.

Services:

Visitation
Monday 4-7 p.m.

Funeral
Tuesday 1 p.m.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul H. VanArnum, please visit our floral store.