Arthur John Quackenbush, Iii

Arthur John Quackenbush, III, beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on June 1, 2025, in the comfort of his home, with his dog, Ginger, by his side.

Born on April 1, 1948, to Arthur John Quackenbush Jr., and Kathleen (O'Donnell) Quackenbush, Art was the oldest of seven children and everyone's favorite April Fool. He spent his childhood in the small town of Bellvale, New York, surrounded by Quackenbush family members, many of whom shared his red hair. Standing 6 foot 4 by high school, he excelled at shenanigans and sports, but particularly at basketball and baseball. He was a two-year varsity starter in basketball, winning several state section championships and earning a spot on the All Orange County League team for the 1965-1966 season, during which he averaged 17 points per game.

He attended SUNY Cortland, where he played basketball, and Orange County Community College before being drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. From 1970-1971, he served as a communications specialist, service for which he received the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Bar, Expert M16 Ribbon, two Army Commendation Medals, and Vietnam Service Medal.

After completing his service, Art returned to school at SUNY Brockport, graduating in 1972. He moved to Ogdensburg, NY, to work for U.S. Customs on the Canadian border. It was in Ogdensburg, at Oscar's Bar, that he met the love of his life, Cynthia Jayne (Brennan) Quackenbush, after someone bet Cindy $10 that she couldn't find a date within the hour for a party that night. Art was her date that evening, Cindy won $10, and, although he spilled a plate of sloppy joes on his oxford shirt and khakis, the two were never apart again. They married on June 28, 1975, settled in Ogdensburg, and were soon the proud parents of four children, who were at the center of their world: Jay Arthur, Kathleen Mae (Spiegel), John Henry, and Margaret Marion.

Art went on to teach and coach basketball and baseball at Morristown Public Schools, leading his teams to three league titles, four Section 10 championships, and two appearances in the New York State Regional Finals. He was named Coach of the Year three times. He earned a master's degree in educational administration from St. Lawrence University and moved to Canton in 1987 to work in various administrative and athletic roles at Canton Central Schools, where he remained for the duration of his career. For most of those years, until his retirement in 2008, he was principal of J.M. McKenny Middle School. He was also a tireless and dedicated referee, coach, umpire, and sideline official at countless sporting events for Canton teams, around St. Lawrence County, and across the region, including coaching his children's teams. He was happiest with a whistle around his neck, surrounded by kids.

Art was a devoted and selfless member of the North Country community for 40 years. A constant presence and gentle giant at school, he was known for wearing a tie that flapped in the breeze and a high-visibility neon baseball cap while directing bus traffic at dismissal; for rounding up winter coats, clothes, food, quarters for snacks, and other necessities for students in need; and for roaming the cafeteria at lunch to exact a "principal tax" on students (and his own kids) with lunchbox treats. He once allowed his students to suspend him completely from a wall using only pieces of duct tape to encourage them to read. Art was known for his use of singular adages known as "Art-isms," including, "Be careful what you wish for!" and, "So it goes…"  A quietly competitive golfer, he played every possible minute at courses across the North Country and beyond and was a fixture at Oliver D. Appleton Golf Course at St. Lawrence University. In recent years, he befriended a kindergarten class at St. Catherine's (formerly St. Mary's) School and stopped for daily visits at the classroom window during walks with his golden retriever, Ginger. He was a wonderful, fun-loving, dependable, generous, and easy-going friend to his fellow educators, referees, neighbors, golfers, and former students.

After retirement, Art and Cindy enjoyed many trips to visit friends and family across the country, traveling to cities, national parks, deserts, and beaches up and down the East Coast. Several years ago, they made an unforgettable trip with friends to England, Scotland, and Ireland. Countless times, Art and Cindy drove many hours to Boston and across New York to visit children and grandchildren for births, parties, hockey games, and holidays, and hosted them in Canton for visits filled with ice skating, trips to Morgan's, horse-drawn carriage rides, rounds of golf, apple picking, sledding, movies, dog walks, trips to local farms, and porch parties. He was a master snuggler and treat smuggler and loved being a "Papa." His children and grandchildren brought him happiness and pride.

Art leaves behind his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren: Jay Quackenbush and Sarah Curtin, grandchildren Evelyn and Thomas; Katie and Matt Spiegel, grandchildren Billy and Mary; John Henry and Lauren Quackenbush, granddaughter Mae; Meggie Quackenbush and Rick Ducott, and granddaughter Molly Ducott. His surviving siblings and extended family include Catherine Stevens, Elizabeth Fisher, James and Ginny Quackenbush, Christine and Anthony Saccone, Rose Mary Quackenbush and Kirk Horton, Michael and Susan Quackenbush; his sisters- and brothers-in law Brian and Karen Brennan, Suzie and Bill Ryan, Michael and Jackie Brennan, Tony and Kathy Brennan, Kim and Jim Costello, Duffy and Vicki Brennan; his niece and nephew Kristy and Steve Cumoletti; and many other nieces and nephews and the children of close family friends for whom he served as a chosen uncle, including Ed Narenkivicius and Megan Hughes. He also leaves behind the remarkable Canton community that loved and embraced Art and Cindy, especially during recent challenging times.

Art was predeceased by his beloved wife, "his Cindy," in February 2025. He was also predeceased by his infant son, Brian Michael; parents, Arthur and Kathleen Quackenbush; parents-in-law, Henry and Marion Brennan; brother-in-law, Wayne Stevens; sister- and brother-in-law, Linda and Walt Aubertine; and sister- and brother-in-law Craig and Rosie Brennan.

Calling hours and a memorial service will be held from 10am-2pm on Sunday, June 8, at O'Leary Funeral Home in Canton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider waiting to make a contribution to a scholarship fund in Art's name that will be established and shared in the coming weeks.