Read About Who We Are and What We Do
Memoriam
We celebrate the lives of fellow 46ers who are now climbing the celestial hills, wishing them peace.
2021
James G. Bailey 46er #233
46er President 1966-1969
Outdoor Leadership Workshop Founder
In July of 1956 I began my first of fifty summers at Pok-O-MacCready Camps as a ten year old. The counselor in the tent next to me was a 20 year old college student from Elizabethtown, NY – Jim Bailey. In those days comic books were popular and constantly circulated around our section. It wasn’t long before Jim picked up the nickname “Beetle.” He quickly became the most popular counselor while sharing his enthusiasm, personality and positive attitude toward “all things camp.”
We moved through the sections together as camper and counselor, both becoming “infected” by the climbing bug – checking the boxes on the dining hall mountain chart as we summited each 46er. The year 1961 found both of us in the Camp’s “Advanced Section” – the counselor training group of 15 and 16 year-olds. “Beetle” was section head and by the end of the summer we had spent more nights camping in the woods than in the section. He was the prime motivator of my lifelong love of camping and hiking in the Adirondacks.
Jim’s constant creativity meant new experiences and challenges and left us eagerly waiting for what was going to happen next. Trips to the Mohawk Museum in Onchiota, attending different local churches each Sunday morning (of course that meant breakfast out of Camp that day!), and, of course, more mountains! [ie. Couchie from the Rondeau’s on the Cold River and out via Oulouska Pass after attempting Emmons from the back side – all before the existence of herd paths.]
Later he would become the first tripping head at Camp offering special adventures each week. An example was his “Operation Cool Bovine” – carrying an ice cream maker and all the ingredients into the Scott Clearing lean-to to use ice from the Indian Pass “ice caves” to make ice cream while baking a cake with a reflector oven.
While in high school my father sent me by train up to the Adirondacks for my introduction with Jim to Winter camping. Dad had total confidence in Beetle’s skills and knew I was always in good hands. With Jim, six of us drove to Maine in his Volkswagen Mini-bus to climb the knife’s edge on Katahdin and paddle on Lake Chesuncook. We shared his 46er finish on Emmons – meeting Jim Goodwin on Seward and finally reaching our vehicle by fading flashlights at 11:00 at night. One winter we spent New Year’s Eve camping on the top of Phelps Mountain and another year met him at 20 below zero at Lake Colden.
He was also active with the Forty-Sixer organization serving as President for three years. Beetle was instrumental in the creation of the Outdoor Skills Workshop – still in operation by the 46ers for over 50 years! Meanwhile, he and his wife, Anne, became leaders and vital cogs in the local chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.
Not to be forgotten was his ability to write – humorous and creative in his small print. He loved maps and researching new routes or retracing old, forgotten paths. This love of history would continue to be a driving force throughout his life. While a teacher he initiated the Beekmantown Outing Club introducing his students to the Adirondacks. He was the Plattsburgh City Historian and was the driving force to rename Slip Mountain in the Jay Range Macdonough in honor of the Battle of Plattsburgh hero.
Jim’s impact on others as a gentle, patient, and kind human being – as I know from my personal experience - can’t be adequately expressed in words. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity and privilege to spend time with him!
-Phil Corell #224W
Kevin Cox #5144
William Lee Kauffman Jr. “Lee”, #8826W
William Lee Kauffman Jr. “Lee”, 8826W, from Newark, DE died unexpectedly on April 25, 2021 at age 63. Lee loved the Adirondacks and was initially introduced to the mountains as a teenager. Lee was an accomplished athlete in high school and college. He remained extremely active throughout his life finishing 57 marathons including 34 consecutive Boston’s. He also had a strong interest in photography, lugging his SLR on many of his trips in the ADK. Lee was semi-retired and coaching track and field at Padua Academy located in Wilmington, DE. He was an amazingly kind and encouraging coach and was well known throughout the Delaware community. He made friends wherever he would go including meeting many people on the trails throughout the Adirondacks in all seasons. Lee's idea of a restful weekend was a camping trip where he could run a competitive race or two, and then have a leisurely hike up a peak the next day before driving home. Living in Delaware didn’t slow Lee’s enthusiasm for the mountains of New York. He began climbing the peaks in earnest throughout New England over 20 years ago, and finished his regular 46 in 2008 and his winter 46 in 2011. He also had climbed many of the 4000 footers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, as well as many of the Catskill 35er’s. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Richard Harvey #2562
Harrison Koons Caner #936
Koons Caner III, passed away peacefully on January 16th at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, N.Y., while family members, from far and wide, reminisced and sang hymns to him via Zoom.
Born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 15, 1927, Harrison was the youngest child of Harrison and Sarah Uytendale Caner. He graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H., in 1946 and Harvard University in 1950.
Harrison moved to Dedham, Mass., in 1952 and began a long career at the First National Bank of Boston (now Bank of America). He retired in 1983 as Vice President and Manager of the Endowment Fund Portfolio in the Old Colony Trust Division. During his years in Dedham, he served as Town Finance Committee Chairman, Treasurer of the Dedham Library and Treasurer of the Dedham Choral Society.
In December 1963, Harrison married the love of his life, Judith (Martin). In the words of their favorite song by Frank Sinatra, they met "Just in Time." Guided by shared values, they blended their families together. Every August, Harrison and Judy gathered the children and a menagerie of pets and hitched a loaded trailer to the family station wagon. Off they went to a beloved cottage in Keene Valley, N.Y., and spent the month exploring all that the Adirondacks have to offer. After his retirement, Harrison and Judy purchased Clifford Falls Farm in Keene, N.Y., and lived there full time. For decades, it was the gathering place for family and friends.
Harrison was introduced to the Adirondacks by his first father-in-law, Richard Frothingham. Thus began a lifelong love of "God's Country" as he liked to call it. Beginning with Giant Mountain in 1953, he climbed all of the Adirondack peaks over 4,000 ft.(some many times over!) and proudly became an ADK 46er #936 on Aug. 25, 1973, at the age of 46. He served on the Board of the Adirondack Trail Improvement Society and was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club.
In addition to being an accomplished hiker, Harrison enjoyed outguessing the stock market, reading about historical figures, singing bass in local choirs, and tending to his bountiful vegetable gardens. Whether the game was croquet, horseshoes or cards, he played to win! His love of football was perfectly captured in 1968 by his meticulous diagraming of "The Game" as he listened to the play-by-play on the radio. "Harvard beats Yale 29-29"! Swing music brought Harrison to his feet. He and Judy would attract a crowd whether "cutting a rug" in their own living room or out on the dance floor. Community service continued to be important to Harrison during his years in Keene Valley. He served on the Board of the Keene Valley Library, was the Treasurer of the Keene Valley Congregational Church and delivered meals for the local Meals on Wheels for many years.
Harrison is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith, his daughters Janet Caner (Evan), Julie Craig (David), Emily Caner (Mark) and sons Brooks Rogers (Marian), Peter Rogers (Susan), Anthony Caner (Ann), and Nathaniel Caner (Cindy) 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and his beloved dog, Merry. Harrison's steadfast spirit, intellect and touch of mischief will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Champlain Valley Senior Center where Harrison lived for two years. They also send virtual hugs to the wonderful Elizabethtown Community Hospital nurses who cared for Harrison with so much compassion in his final hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be shared online at: www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keene Valley Congregational Church.
