Phyllis Evelyn Canary

Phyllis Evelyn Crannell Canary, age 93, passed safely into the Arms of Jesus on the morning of January 2, 2024, at Kingsway Community in Schenectady, NY, where she had resided since 2018. Phyllis bravely fought a battle with Dementia since early 2020. She was born April 21, 1930, at 30 Main St. in Broadalbin, NY to Myron (Dutch) and Sarah Van Buren Crannell. She attended Broadalbin Central School where she was active in the Musical and Drama Productions thru out her School Years. She led the Broadalbin High School Marching Band as the Majorette in her Junior and Senior Year in addition to being Editor of the 1947 Yearbook. During High School she began working Part-Time at the Glenwild Glove Company in Broadalbin. Phyllis graduated as Valedictorian of the BHS Class of 1947. While she had interest in becoming a Nurse, that was not a path she was able to take. Instead, she bought a Used Firestone Bicycle (that still exists) and went to work Full Time at the Glove Shop. Phyllis maintained friendships with “The Glove Shop Girls” as she called them, the rest of her life. Phyllis married her High School Sweetheart, Kenneth Clayton Canary on June 5, 1948, at Broadalbin Baptist Church. The two had known each other since they were kids because Ken’s younger Twin Sisters were two of her best friends from both school and church. Phyllis and Ken first made their home in Johnstown at 110 East Clinton St. in an upstairs flat. This was just around the corner from the Esso Service Station they ran at 52 East Main St. in Johnstown. The Full-Service Station and Used Car Lot was open from 6AM to 10PM 6 days a week but they also did 24 Hour Towing- so they never really were closed. The two worked hard together and built a loyal following in the community, Phyllis answering the phone for Tow Calls and Service Work Appointments, keeping the books all while pumping gas and washing windshields. Ken did the Service and Repair Work as well as Body and Paint Work. All of this formed a team in business that would continue for the rest of their lives. Eventually Ken and Phyllis got out of the Esso Gas Station Business and built a small home on the Route 29 Canary Farm where Ken had grown up. They cut trees on the farm and trucked the logs to a mill where they were cut into all the lumber needed to build their original two- bedroom one bath home- which they would add onto many times over the 68 years they lived there. The Used Car and Salvage Business was run from the cellar starting in the early 1950’s. Ken and Phyllis became the areas John Deere Farm Equipment Dealer in 1952 with Ken doing the Sales & Service and Phyllis answering the phone and waiting on Parts Customers. A buzzer rang in the house alerting her when a customer entered the garage door in the cellar. Phyllis assisted Ken with many areas of the rapidly expanding John Deere Business, finally retiring at age 75. Phyllis and Ken were both longtime members of Broadalbin Baptist Church, where Phyllis served as a Sunday School Teacher, was involved with the Ladies Missionary Society, served as Pianist and Organist at times in addition to being a regular soloist and Choir Member. In later years they were members of Perth Bible Church where Phyllis was also involved with Music Ministry and various other ministry responsibilities. Throughout their lives, Ken and Phyllis were involved with Sacandaga Bible Conference, starting out as little kids camping there in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s and continuing to help whenever they could for the rest of their lives. Phyllis was on Summer Housekeeping Staff there as a teenager also and served on the Ladies Auxiliary Board for many years. Phyllis was one of the 4H Leaders for The Lucky Clovers 4H Club from the late 1950’s thru the mid 1980’s. Phyllis was very involved with the Broadalbin Chapter of TOPS for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie with the other ladies involved. Phyllis and Ken had the opportunity to travel often, both for business and pleasure. Their absolute favorite Travel Experience was going to Timbukto in Mali West Africa with life- long Missionary Friends Frank and Eleanor Marshall in the year 2001. In retirement Phyllis was supportive of Ken’s Antique John Deere Tractor hobby and traveled with him to many shows and events. Together they also hosted a show each year at their place on Rt 29 and were long time exhibitors at the Fonda Fair. In addition to her parents, Phyllis was predeceased by her brother Roger Crannell in 1989, her Son In Law William Dmyszewicz in 2013 and her husband of 70 years, Kenneth in 2019. She is survived by her daughter Lynda (Bob) Naske of Johnstown, daughter Lois (Michael) Wager of Broadalbin, daughter Laurie (Tom) Frederick of Northville and son Keith (Kelly) Canary of Vail Mills. Also survived by 8 Grandchildren: Christa Germain, Cara Nilsen-Ramirez, Kenneth Nilsen, Shaun Dmyszewicz, Sarah Edington, Justin Frederick, Chandler and Benjamin Canary, nine Great Grandchildren: Katie and Corey Germain, Shawn Michael and Bryce Dmyszewicz, Emmah and William Edington, Roman, Norah, and Judah Frederick; and two great- great grandchildren, William and Karli Dmyszewicz. Phyllis is also survived by two sisters in law: Carol Crannell of Pacific, MO and Marilyn Canary Ottendorf (Doug) of Kokomo, IN as well as 21 nieces and nephews, and several cousins. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 11am – 1pm at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Black Street & Route 29), Johnstown followed by a funeral service at 1pm at the funeral home with Pastor Nate Petersen, officiating. Burial will be in Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Kingsway Community where Phyllis had resided since 2018, first at her Kingsway Manor Assisted Living Apartment and later on at Kingsway Arms Skilled Nursing Facility. The family would also like to thank the many Home Health Aide Friends that enabled Ken and Phyllis to stay in their home as long as they did. Memorial Contributions can be made to Sacandaga Bible Conference, “Campers Scholarship Fund” 191 Lakeview Road, Broadalbin, NY 12025 This will enable area children who would otherwise not be able to experience a week at Summer Camp to go. Contributions can be left at the Calling Hours / Funeral or mailed directly to SBC designated as Phyllis Canary Memorial.

Phyllis Evelyn Canary

April 21, 1930 - January 2, 2024

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Phyllis Evelyn Canary

April 21, 1930 - January 2, 2024

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