Obituary
Willis D. Larkin
Willis D. Larkin
Born in Albany, he was the son of the late Willis D. and Alice Kells Larkin, Sr. Mr. Larkin was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Mr. Larkin earned an Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science from the Simmons School of Embalming in Syracuse and also earned his Bachelor Degree in Science from Houghton College.
For many years, funeral service allowed Willis to serve many families within his community as well as from outer-lying areas as a funeral director and owner of the Larkin Funeral Home in Averill Park. He was also the owner, operator and broker of Larkin Real Estate in Averill Park.
He has also been employed by the Rensselaer County Office of Board of Elections, from where he retired.
He was an active member of the Sand Lake Baptist Church, where he was a member since the age of nine and was, until his death, the oldest member of the church. While summering in Cape Neddick, Maine, on Shore Road, he attended service at the Cape Neddick Baptist Church.
Willis was very civic-minded and had been involved for many years in his community. He was a founding member of the Sand Lake Ambulance Association, a life member of the Sgt. Walter Adams American Legion Post #1021, where he served three times as the commander, a life member of the Poestenkill VFW Post #7466 and a life member (50-plus years) of the Averill Park-Sand Lake Fire Department, where he held many offices over the years. He had recently been honored for 60 years of continuous membership in the American Legion.
He had also been very involved and instrumental in formation of the Cub Scouts in West Sand Lake.
Willis had been past chairman of the Sand Lake Republican Committee and also of the Rensselaer County Republican Committee.
He also dedicated over 25 years of service as superintendent of the Sand Lake Union Cemetery.
Many also knew Willis for his love of the outdoors, particularly fishing and hunting game. He has many trophies to attribute for his accomplishments.
Willis is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Gladys Brod Larkin of Averill Park, and their devoted daughter, Barbara Barnes of Averill Park; a cherished granddaughter, Katherine Barnes of Toluca, Calif., and a sister, Shirley Larkin Butterfield of Averill Park. Uncle of also Richard Larkin Butterfield of East Greenbush, Sharon Urgento of Southport, N.C., Nancy Grignon of Averill Park and R. Jay Butterfield of Taborton.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sand Lake Baptist Church, in Averill Park, where Rev. Mihran Kupeyan, Pastor, will officiate.
Interment with military honors will be held in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
Contributions may be made to the Sand Lake Baptist Church, 2960 NY Route 43, Averill Park, NY 12018, in memory of Willis D. Larkin, Jr.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc.
