ANTWERP, NY — Claude W. “Buck” Culbertson, 78, of Washington Street, Antwerp, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at home under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.
Born June 28, 1940, a son of William and Vivian Filiatrault Culbertson in Antwerp, he attended school in Antwerp.
He was known as Dada, Daddy, Dad, Popee, PaPa, Gramps, Grandpa and Pops. He was respected and loved not only by his wife and twelve children and grands but by the hundreds of children he fostered during his forty-five years of volunteering for the Jefferson County Department of Social Services.
He was DAD and he will be missed. His belief was that everyone deserves a chance. He not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. He didn’t land on the moon or run for president but he was a hero to his family in a way all Dads should be.
He married Sharon Barkley on Sept. 7, 1966, in Juarez, Mexico.
Mr. Culbertson was employed with St. Regis Paper Company, later Champion International as a troubleshooter. He enjoyed his years traveling from mill to mill addressing manufacturing issues. He retired in 1995.
He was a trustee at the Antwerp United Methodist Church for many years and a member of the Antwerp Fire Department for twenty-five years.
He was Mr. Fix It. From broken cars to broken hearts, with duct tape, bungee cords or love, he was your man.
Survivors including his wife, Sharon, of 52 years, are sons: John J (Mary Jo) Hamlin, Kenneth (Casey), LaFargeville, Jay (Kim) , Antwerp, Kristian, PA, Jon Claud (Brittany), Antwerp, James (Candy), TN, Jesse, Antwerp and daughters; Kelly (Steve) Kisel, TN, Jodie (retired LTC Horace) Bowden, KY, Colleen (Shawn) Goodwin, MA, Jeanne (Steve) Barker, Copenhagen, Amber, an unofficial son, Harry Marks, MA, formerly of Belfast, Ireland; 30 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and Daphne, the dog. Also, five brothers; Glenn (Marilyn), Philadelphia, George (Luava), Greenwich, Clark (Elsie), Minot, ND, Roy (Karen), Calcium and Carl (Paula), Black River, a sister; Virginia Scott, LA; sisters-in- law, Molly Barkley, Carthage, Judy (Charles), NC. and Ricky Barkley, Watertown; brothers-in-law; Terry (Amy) Barkley, Carthage, Wayne Barkley, Watertown.
Calling hours are 4 to 7 pm Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at the funeral Home.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY, 13601 or the Antwerp Fire Department, c/o Charles Miller, Treasurer, P.O. 651, Antwerp, NY, 13608.
Condolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com
