Victor J. Christopher, Jr.

December 2, 1923 - February 16, 2021

Victor J. Christopher, Jr. 97, of Meadow Street, Broadalbin passed away Tuesday February 16, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany with family at his side. Born and raised in Broadalbin, NY, he was the oldest native in the Village, and now bequeaths this title to Alex Klymkow. Vic was born in Broadalbin on December 2, 1923 a son of Victor and Clara Crannell Christopher and was a 1940 graduate of Broadalbin Central School. After graduation, he enrolled at Union College in Schenectady and in 1942 he enlisted in the AAC aviation cadet program. During World War II, Vic served as a weather officer, an air field tower control officer, and an airways flight control officer. He graduated from Union College in 1947 with a degree in chemistry but technically was a member of the class of 1944. Mr. Christopher was employed at Mohawk Carpet Mills, starting as a junior chemist and retired from Mohasco thirty five years later as a manager of the testing laboratories. He was a member of AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) and served as chairman of the Hudson-Mohawk section of AATCC. Vic was a member of ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), ACS (American Chemical Society), and the technical committee of CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute). After retiring, he did consulting work for NIST (National Institute for Science and Technology). In 1948, Vic joined other World War II veterans in forming the 139th Fighter Squadron NYANG at the Schenectady County Airport. He retired in 1964 as Lt. Col. after serving as executive officer of the 109th Air Transport Group. Mr. Christopher later became a seasonal tax preparer, spending eighteen years with H & R Block and twenty years with Reynolds Schenectady Tax Service. He enjoyed meeting the same clients year after year. When he was younger, Vic was active in community affairs. He served sixteen years with the Kennyetto Volunteer Fire Company, fifteen years as a member of the Broadalbin Central School Board of education, including three terms as its president, ten years as treasurer of the Broadalbin United Methodist Church, and ten years coaching Little League baseball. Vic enjoyed playing bridge with local friends and later with many international people using the computer. He also enjoyed gardening and often spent his vacation time tending the five hundred rose bushes in his flower garden. He married Eileen McConnell Christopher on June 30, 1944. She died October 3, 2010. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Connie; and a brother, Eugene. Survivors include three children, James (Michelle) Christopher of Dunedin, FL, Thomas (Jennifer) Christopher of Broadalbin, and Marsha (Donald) Tweedy of Clarks Summit, PA; a sister, Vivian Bush of South Glens Falls; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; an uncle, Robert Crannell of Gloversville; three nieces; a nephew; and several cousins. Due to the current pandemic, the family will hold services at a later date. Spring burial with military honors will be held at the Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Glens Falls Association for the Blind or to the American Heart Association, both in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106, Johnstown, NY 12095.