Maynard Clark

Cobleskill- Maynard E. Clark, 84, of State Route 7, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Albany Medical Center.

Maynard was born December 18, 1931 to Joseph Clark and Vivian (Cohen) Clark in Gloversville, N.Y., spending his youth there.

From his earliest days, Maynard was in the out of doors. He and his friends would head to the woods for days to camp and fish, or hunt. He joined the Boy Scouts as soon as he was able, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, with 2 bronze palms and a gold palm and , attending Philmont Scout Ranch in 1947. During his high school days, Maynard was a gifted athlete, starring at halfback for Gloversville and excelling in track and field as a sprinter.

After High School, Maynard joined the United States Navy, serving off the Coast of Korea and Indochina from 1951 to 1955 on the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Saipan and Coral Sea. He served in the navigation department, and was the ships bugler. He travelled around the world twice while in service.

After his honorable discharge, Maynard returned to Gloversville, where he played trumpet for the Yellow Jackets - a popular drum and bugle corp of that time - meeting his future wife of 59 years Eugenia (Jeannie) Frascatore at that time. On July 21, 1957, Maynard and Jeannie married. Shortly after their marriage, Maynard was accepted to Ithaca College where he again played football, and earned his Bachelors in Physical Education. During his college years, he earned a Private Pilot's License and flew light aircraft often.

Upon graduation, Maynard immediately went to work for Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, coaching track and cross country, as well as teaching courses in outdoor education, from 1962 to 1966. In 1966, Maynard moved his young family to Cobleskill to begin coaching track and cross country at SUNY Cobleskill. During his time at SUNY Cobleskill, the Cross Country team coached by him won the NJCAA National Championship in 1968. Maynard, for his coaching talent and achievements, was inducted in to the NJCAA Coaching hall of Fame later in life. From SUNY Cobleskill, Maynard moved on to Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY, retiring from there in 1993. While at FMCC, Maynard taught and coached thousands of students during his more than 20 year tenure. His love of the outdoors served him and his students well, where he taught classes including canoeing, natural resources, camping, the full range of traditional physical education courses, as well as winter camping. During his winter camping courses, Maynard took classes into the Adirondack woods for 10 days a year during February, reveling in the beautiful and frigid winter experience.

After his retirement in 1993, Maynard and his wife Jeannie travelled all over the world for many years. Maynard continued the autumn ritual of hunting with family and friends, and he renewed his love of fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; his son, Mike; daughter, Barbara; grandsons: Tyler and Kyle Clark, and grandsons: Nathaniel, Evan and Spencer Fuller.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home on Sunday from1 to 3 PM, prior to the celebration.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, Inc., PO Box 40, Howes Cave, NY 12092.