Charles "Chuck" W. Calhoun, Sr.

Charles “Chuck” W. Calhoun Sr.

Age 90, formerly of Hector NY, passed away valiantly on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, after a long personal battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Chuck was born in Watkins Glen, NY on December 5, 1930, the son of Ralph and Erma Calhoun. He proudly served his country, starting in 1951, in the US Marine Corps. After returning home and completing college at the Rochester Business Institute, he was offered a job at the Watkins Salt Company (later to become Cargill, Inc.), where he spent his entire career. He retired in 1988 as their Eastern Office Manager.

Chuck will forever be fondly remembered a Founder, in 1964, along with Carl Isley and Vern Alling, of the famous Squires Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps of Watkins Glen, which earned national acclaim and prestige during its 17 years of existence. The corps brought immense pride to the local community, training literally thousands of young people about the value of teamwork and dedication to excellence, and instilling in them a love of music and pageantry that has been passed down through the generations. The bonds created through Chuck’s vision and leadership will never be forgotten.

Chuck’s other passions were his rabid support for his Mets, NY Giants, and SU Basketball teams; and his love for Seneca Lake, which he and wife Betty were fortunate to gaze upon from their retirement home on Valois Point, for over 25 years.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Betty Jane (Bassett) Calhoun; four children, Charles “Bill” (DeeAnn) Calhoun of Lansing, Judy (Michael) Murawski of Valois, Christopher (Elizabeth) Calhoun of Norwich, and Carol Naylor of Ithaca; seven grandchildren, Megan (Trevor) Stelick, Catherine (James) Drury, Jason Calhoun, Anna (Benjamin) Knorr, Benjamin Calhoun, Jonathan Calhoun, and Melissa Naylor; two great-grandchildren, Nolan Stelick and Margot Knorr; brother-in-law Frank (Lillian) Bassett of Canton, NY; and sister-in-law Alta Day of Watsonville, CA. He was predeceased by his sister and infant sister, Joyce Ann Miller and Julia May Calhoun; brother-in-law John Thomas Bassett, and sister-in-law Lois Ann Keller.
The family will receive friends and relatives at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, NY on Saturday (June 5) from 12pm-2pm; followed by a funeral service at 2:00pm at the funeral home and military honors at Seneca Union Cemetery in Valois, NY. The family kindly requests COVID protocol be followed, and everyone wear masks when indoors.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Donnelly and Joyce at Arnot Health, and Dr. Tom at Dermatology Assoc. of Ithaca, for their dedicated care. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Valois Logan Hector Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 46, Hector, NY 14841; or the Hector Presbyterian Church, PO Box 96, Hector, NY 14841