William F. Miggins Sr.

William F. (Bill) Miggins Sr., 87, of Van Keuren Highway, Town of Ulster, passed away peacefully in the comforting presence of his children and his brother on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at Health Alliance Hospital, Mary's Avenue Campus, Kingston, N.Y.

He was born in Kingston Hospital in the midst of the Great Depression on March 1, 1931 (or 3-1, 3-1 as he liked to say), the first-born son of the late William A. and Charlotte H. (Leonhardt) Miggins. Four brothers would follow his lead over the course of the next 13 years.

Bill was a 1945 graduate of St. Joseph's School and a 1949 graduate of Kingston High School. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy with his next youngest brother, Robert, where they served aboard the U.S.S. Bayfield during the Korean War. Bill was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal when he was honorably discharged on his twenty fourth birthday on March 1, 1955.

Later that year, Bill met the love of his life--- a beautiful, long-haired Irish lass from Brooklyn named Margaret Mary McManamon---at a dance at the now-defunct Elmer's Inn in the nearby hamlet of Ruby. A long distance romance soon blossomed and the love struck couple were married at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church in Brooklyn on September 22, 1956. They would spend 62 beautiful years together. The young couple settled in the Kingston where they raised four children, Bill Jr., John, Margie and Maureen.

Bill was originally employed by Electrol, Inc. in Kingston before joining IBM Kingston as an inspector in 1956. Bill dedicated 35 years to the company; becoming a member of the Quarter Century Club before retiring in 1991 after spending the last few years working at the company's Poughkeepsie plant.

Bill was a lifetime resident of the Sunset Park neighborhood of the Town of Ulster. He took tremendous pride in his home and could be seen caring for his property on a daily basis even in his final days. He loved growing vegetables in his garden and tending to the many plants and flowers which adorned his pristine, manicured lawn.

Bill's penchant for hard work was matched only by his love of life and his determination to have a good time. He loved a good, cold pint now and then and held his own against the best Ulster County had to offer. From the Lincoln Park Inn to Riccardi's to Zenon's to Snyder's Tavern (and many, many places in between), he became a legend in his own time.

He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and loved listening to and singing along to his favorite Irish songs and always participated in the wearing of the green. He was personal friends with many famous Irish singers including Glen Curtin, Andy Cooney and Tommy Flynn. Two trips to Ireland in the 1980's and 90's with his bride only strengthened his ties to the Emerald Isle. He religiously attended many Irish events in the local area including the annual Kingston St. Paddy's Day Parade. Numerous trips to Gavin's and the annual Irish Festival in the Greene County hamlet of East Durham with his wife, family and good friends, Bill & Candy Sutton, were some of his favorite diversions.

One of Bill's fondest pastimes was his love for his favorite organization; The Ruby Rod & Gun Club. He was a 63-year member of the 70-year-old organization and was one of the most well respected members in the club's history. A tireless worker and elder statesman (who was affectionately nicknamed "Red Eye"), he was one of only two members to hold every office from President on down to Director and was quite possibly the most active participant and grand songster in the club's long, storied history.

Bill was also an avid deer hunter who loved hunting the Ruby foothills and the steep slopes of Mahogany Ridge. "Red Eye" was also a member in good standing of the organizations prestigious Thirsty Thursday Gathering Club which would meet at the club's nearby cabin to discuss urgent matters on a weekly basis.

Bill was also a member of VFW Post 1386 in Kingston and American Legion Post 1748 in Lake Katrine.

Throughout his life, Bill had a profound love of sports. He was a fine baseball and softball player in his youth and for years was a superb horseshoe and table shuffleboard player. In the 1940's and 50's, Bill was an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and made sure that his first-born son, William Jr., was born on September 29, 1957; the same date the Brooklyn Dodgers played their final game. Bill then became a rabid fan of the New York Mets and he also enjoyed rooting on his New York Football Giants. He was also a huge NASCAR fan who cherished his many annual trips to Dover, DE to root on his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon.

Bill also treasured his weekly Saturday morning coffee conversations at his home with his good friend, Joe Kennedy.

An enormously responsible person, Bill's organizational skills were impeccable and he was also a jack-of-all-trades who seemed capable of fixing almost anything. He was always the "go-to" guy.

But above all, Bill's love of family was second to none. He enjoyed taking his kids on two-week camping trips when they were younger and equally loved just hanging out in his immaculate garage watching a Mets game with them into his later years. He especially enjoyed having cookies for and spending many hours playing with his grandkids and great-grandkids who affectionately called him "Pop." Family was his main priority and over the years he rarely missed any events that involved his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. He was the number one fan of his two sons' Town of Ulster softball team, attending nearly every Zenon's game during their teams recently completed 40-year run.

Bill was a selfless individual, faithfully caring for his seriously ill spouse at the Ten Broeck Commons Nursing Facility for the past two years. He spent countless hours comforting his beloved bride twice a day, seven days a week, before he himself was stricken with his own debilitating illness. And not once did he ever complain.

God broke the mold when he made this man. If a finer man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather or friend than Bill Miggins, Sr. exists, we have yet to meet him.

So long, Hon. So long, Dad. So long, Pop. So long, Red Eye. Rest In Peace. WE LOVE YOU!

In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret "Marge" (McManamon) Miggins, he is survived by his two sons: William F. (Bill) Miggins, Jr. and his wife Laurie of Kingston and John J. Miggins and his wife Erica of Stone Ridge; a daughter, Margaret M. "Margie" Miggins of Kingston; a brother, Robert J. Miggins of Sawkill; grandchildren Amy (Bill) Witts of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Denee (Ricky) McGrath of Kingston; Angelina Pugliese of Kingston and Ryan Muller of Kingston; great-grandchildren Molly, Landon, Emily, Liam and Logan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Maureen A. Miggins, in 2007 and three brothers, James (Jim), John (Jack), and Michael (Mickey) Miggins.

The family would like to thank the 3rd floor Oncology nursing staff at Health Alliance Hospital's Broadway Campus and also the 3rd floor nursing staff at Health Alliance Hospital's Mary's Avenue Campus (specifically Charlene, Estelle, Kathy, Lisa, Liz and Zee) for their professionalism and tremendous care they provided to Bill during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Drive, Kingston, N.Y. 12401.

To leave a message of condolence for Bill's family, please visit jvleahyfh.com.