Joseph Coltrain

Middleburgh: Joseph E. Coltrain, 90, of State Route 145, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Baptist Nursing and Rehab Center in Scotia.

Joe was born May 15, 1924 on the family farm in Williamston, N.C., to Lydia (Baynor) and John Coltrain.

He attended the Farm Life School until the eighth grade, leaving to help assist his brothers in the fields. The Coltrain boys also drove their parents to distraction with mischief, from trying to raise a pet fox to sneaking firecrackers into the swamp trees, scaring the birds. Joe loved a good joke and never lost his mischievous smile.

One by one, Joe watched his brothers go off to serve their country, leaving him and his younger brother to tend to the farm. Joe always felt left behind from the servicemen and women of World War II, but he rarely spoke of his service, supervising the Italian prisoners of war that came to work the fields.

In 1947 Joe took to the road driving motor coaches for Greyhound, eventually settling in Florida. This was the heyday of motor coach transit and big name agencies contracted with bus companies for their stars. Joe was privileged to drive for Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the original Harlem Globe Trotters and Conway Twitty. Joe's love of music and guitar playing led to many jam sessions with Mr. Twitty and even a few performances with him on the Grand Ole Opry.

Joe also drove for Trailways, which brought him to New York, then Wade Tours until 1980 and finally Arrow Bus Line before retiring in 1989, having spent forty two years on the road and seeing all of America and Canada. In retirement, he drove part time for K & K Bus Line in Richmondville and Schoharie County Public Transportation. He was also a part time salesman once for Ford Garage selling Dodges and Bromley Imports, selling Volkswagens.

The greatest tour he drove for was the Middleburgh Golden Age Club in 1978, when he met their leader, Carol Van Keuren, whom he would marry on March 10, 1979. He was a member of the Huntersland United Methodist Church, the Middleburgh Golden Age Club and a former member of the Schoharie Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

He never tired from volunteering his time and talents to friends and family in need and will always be remembered as a true "Southern Gentlemen." A few of his favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, golfing, tinkering in the garage, driving the Model T Ford, searching for Bicentennial quarters, sharing stories about his driving days and spending time with his family and friends.

Joe was predeceased by his sisters: Sophia and Sally and brothers: Rufus, Mack, Simon, Jay and Lawrence.

Joe is survived by his wife: Carol Coltrain of Middleburgh and sons: Matthew Coltrain of Middleburgh, John (Erika) Coltrain of Corinth, Daniel (Peggy) Coltrain of Hudson Falls; brother: Spencer Coltrain of Lexington, N.C.; four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Huntersland United Methodist Church, Huntersland Rd., Middleburgh, NY. Rev. Paul Ferenczy will officiate. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00pm on Friday, March 27, 2015 at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St. Middleburgh, NY

Memorial contributions may be made to the Huntersland United Methodist Church c/o M. Lindemann, 230 Bridge Rd., Berne, NY 12023 or to MEVAC, PO Box 817 Middleburgh, NY 12122