Edgar A. Shoemaker

     Edgar A. Shoemaker of Westkill passed away on the morning of Thursday, July 26, 2018. In his 90 years on this earth, he made more friends than most of us could ever hope to have. A natural charmer with a dry sense of humor and genuine kindness, Edgar would talk to strangers on a bench at the store as if they were old friends. He was the kind of person who always had M&Ms in his shirt pocket for his grandkids and posed for the best silly pictures you have ever seen. He always wanted to be home by dark or, in later years, in time to watch Judge Judy, whichever came first.
     Born in Spruceton on March 5, 1928 to the late George and Florabell Shoemaker, Edgar was a life-long farmer. Even as the size of his herds and gardens decreased over the last couple of decades, he never lost his gift for agriculture and his incredible work ethic. He also worked for the Nassau Council of the Girl Scouts of America. Tinkering in his shop, he could engineer a creative solution to whatever problem he faced. He was innovative in other ways, too: he invented his own form of hug in which he got his back scratched at the same time.
     He loved going to the Post Office and getting the mail. For his 90th birthday, he received over 100 cards. If you sent him one, please know that it meant the world to him.
     He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Ann, who he loved dearly. They were married on October 21, 1951 and his lasting love for her was clearly evidenced in the delight he took in playfully teasing her.
     Edgar was predeceased by his parents, his brothers George and Bryan Shoemaker, and his daughter Vicki Jean. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law Sharon and Theodore Huggins of Prattsville and Gail and James Oliver, of Rotterdam; grandchildren Kelli and Theodore Huggins and Dominique Westerman; and great-grandchildren Amya and Antonio Westerman.
     It seems most fitting to send him off with the traditional family blessing, which he bestowed upon his kids and grandkids more times than we can count: care-see, care-see, Edgar. You were one-of-a-kind.

In lieu of flowers, please give a donation in his name to your favorite charity.

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