C. Coon

C. Edward Coon age 98 of Beaver Dams died peacefully on January 18, 2010. Ed was born in Beaver Dams to Ethel Smith and George Coon and raised on the family farm. Ed was predeceased by two brothers Liston and Justin Coon and a sister, Winifred Coon Elder. Ed is survived by his wife of 71 years Florence Thurston Coon "Torncie." He is also survived by three children and their spouses, Gary Coon (Rahno) of NC, Linda Austin (Charles) of MA, and Amy Gee (James) of Beaver Dams. Ed, known as "Baump" by his grandchildren is survived by Pam Snyder, Jennifer Reinhardt, Lisa Coole, Amy Sheppard, Danielle Austin, Paul Ruocco, Holly Gee, and Anya Malnoske as well as 14 great grandchildren.

Ed graduated from Northside Blodgett High School in 1930, riding the train everyday from Beaver Dams to Corning. Later Ed went on to study at Geneseo Normal School earning his teaching certificate in 1938. Ed taught in the one room school house in Beaver Dams and later went on to serve as principal at Hammondsport High School where he also coached the baseball team. Ed returned to Beaver Dams in 1946 where he built houses on speculation. During this time he also drove school bus for his father in law, Frank Thurston, transporting local teens to high school in Corning. In 1959 Ed founded Coon Travel Trailer, bringing the excitement and newness of recreational vehicles to this region. In 1965 he and his wife, and youngest daughter flew to California, took delivery of and drove back one of the first Class A motorhomes manufactured to sell at his business. Ed was a founding member of the Beaver Dams Fire Department, helping to construct the original firehouse. He was also a lifetime member of the Beaver Dams Methodist Church, where in his youth was actively involved in church camps and activities.

Over the course of 2 years beginning in 1938 Ed and his wife Torncie built a 2 bedroom log cabin for their young family which still stand today. The logs were felled by Ed and skidded to the home site by his wife. This log cabin home was featured in the magazine Better Homes and Gardens in 1948. Later the log cabin museum was furnished with turn of the century items and opened as a museum for all to enjoy.

Ed and his wife spent many years camping with the Shanty Shifters and FMCA, once in their retirement years, driving their motorhome to Mexico. He and his wife were well known for their dancing at the outdoor concerts in Watkins Glen. Ed was involved in the Watkins Glen Senior Citizens Bowling League and was a 20 year participant in the Senior Olympic Games. Ed and his wife, for many years, hosted children through the Fresh Air Children's Organization, bringing children from NYC to the country for a few weeks in the summer.

Ed could entertain others for hours with stories of his childhood and the years gone by in Beaver Dams. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beaver Dams Fire Department or the Schuyler ARC.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, January 21, from 5-8pm at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St. Watkins Glen; with a funeral service on Friday at 1:00pm at the funeral home. You may sign a guestbook online at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com