IN MEMORIAM: Arthur Wannamaker,91;

WWII Veteran Moved To County In 1950s

CHERRY VALLEY – Arthur Adam Wannamaker, a World War II veteran who moved from Long Island to Cherry Valley in the 1950s, died Dec. 13, 2018. He was 91.

Born March 28, 1927, in Springfield, Long Island, to Charles Wannamaker and Wilhelmina H. Shriefer. He grew up in Brooklyn, and at the Wartburg Orphans Farm School in Mount Vernon.

He was one of six children: Charles, who was killed in the Battle of Normandy during World War II; and Wilhelmina (Minnie), Dorothy, Elizabeth, and David, all of whom predeceased Arthur.

Arthur served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater, first on the USS Princeton and later on the original crew of the USS Boxer, commissioned in 1945. Arthur earned the rank of seaman, first class, and received the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.

After his discharge from the Navy, Arthur married Mabel Margaret Pabst on June 6, 1948, at the Green Avenue Methodist Church in Brooklyn (Mabel died April 21, 2017). The couple moved to Merrick, Long Island, where they resided until the late 1950s, when they moved to Cherry Valley.

In 2013, they moved to Syracuse to be closer to family.

Arthur was a machinist and worked for many years for United Technologies in Clayville, Oneida County.  He was also a long-time volunteer on the Cherry Valley Fire Department Emergency Squad, serving the squad even after he retired.

The father of five, Arthur was predeceased by his son, Peter Victor Wannamaker, formerly of East Springfield.  He is survived by his son, Arthur Joseph Wannamaker (and his wife, Julie) of Rochester; and daughters Judy Loretta Holmes (husband Earl) of Syracuse; Karen Ann Ellis of Roseboom, and Tammy Lee Keller (husband Donald) of Ballston Spa. Also, 10 grandchildren: Gary Wannamaker of Cherry Valley; Michelle Wannamaker-Rackmyer, Kelly Wannamaker-Decker, and Lisa Wannamaker all of East Springfield; Eoin Holmes of Syracuse; Sara Ellis and Mackenzy Ellis of Roseboom; Lucy Keller and Kevin Keller of Ballston Spa; and Jack Keller, who is a commissioned officer in the Navy.

He is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren; and a large number of nieces and nephews, who reside locally in Cherry Valley and Springfield, as well as across the country.

Per Arthur’s request, there will be no funeral services. Those wishing to honor Arthur’s memory may do so by setting out bird feeders, as feeding wild birds was Arthur’s passion during his later years.

To send online condolences visit www.ottmanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.