South Glens Falls – Oliver N. “ Ollie” Ploof, 80, of South Glens Falls, passed away at home, Thursday, September 4, 2014, surrounded by his loving family after a hard fought battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born September 30, 1933, in Burlington, Vermont, he was the son of the late Raymond J. and Dorothy L. (Gelinas) Ploof.
Oliver graduated from Cathedral High School, and then attended St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont. He enlisted in the US Army. On September 26, 1953, Oliver married Jacqueline B. Chicoine at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
He spent his entire career working for the Grand Union Co., starting as a young humble cheese cutter, working his way up the ladder to Vice President.
Oliver was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church where he held numerous positions in the church ministry and faith formation. He also volunteered for Caritas and was a ski instructor for the Adaptive Ski Program at Double H. Hole in the Woods.
Oliver was a quiet, unassuming and fervent supporter of the poor, the cold, the homeless, the hungry and the children of the world. He loved and deeply appreciated the natural beauty of God’s world. A hike in the woods with his dog, Duncan, skiing down the mountains with family and friends, Peter and Frank, a walk along an ocean beach, and the sunrise and sunsets viewed from his home with his wife by his side, gave him the most joy.
Besides his parents, Oliver was predeceased by his brothers, Leo Ploof and Calvin Ploof, Sr.., and his sisters, Helen Thayer, Phyllis Devoid and Catherine Couillard.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Jacqueline B. Ploof; his children, Rod Ploof and his wife, Diane, Michelle P. Chevalier and her husband, Michael, Roxanne Benoit, Marie Colbert, and Mark J. Ploof and his wife, Kate; his grandchildren, Ryan Chevalier and his wife, Larissa, Amanda Ploof, Bradley Chevalier, Laura Landry and her husband, Keith, Mark Benoit, Alexandra Benoit, Abigail Ploof and Bowen Oliver Ploof; his siblings, Richard Ploof and his wife, Barbara, Raymond Ploof and his wife, Norma, Charles Ploof, Sr., James Ploof, Sr. and his wife, Beverly, Sister Lucy Ploof RSM, Edward Ploof and his wife, Doris, Pam Gagnon and her husband, Joseph, Marjorie Limacher and her husband, Arthur, Patrick Ploof and his wife, Violet; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Monday, September 8, 2014, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of Committal will take place at 1:30 p.m., at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery in the town of Stillwater.
Ollie’s family would like to acknowledge with hearts full of gratitude the care he received from Dr. Richard Farrell and his compassionate staff, and the gentle souls of Christine, Linda and Lisa for helping us care for him at home during the last months of his earthly journey.
In lieu of flowers, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the calling hours. They will be donated to the Christmas USMC Toys for Tots, which was very important to him. Memorial donations can also be made to Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl Street, Albany, New York 12202, or The Priory Retreat House, 135 Priory Drive, Chestertown, New York 12817.
