PLYMOUTH - Clarence Arvine Slater, “Ping”, 91, passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2007, in the Valley View Manor Nursing Home, where he has been a resident for the past three years.
Born in Plymouth, NY, in December of 1916, Clarence was the son of Joseph and Clara (Dutcher) Slater. A life-long resident of Plymouth, he attended school in the Plymouth School District. He was employed in his early years by the Maydole Hammer Factory and the Norwich Mills. From 1948 until 1952, he worked for the Chenango County Highway Dept.; then, for a short time, he worked for the N.Y.S.D.O.T. In 1953, he returned to the Chenango County Highway Dept., where he stayed until his retirement in 1979.
Clarence was known for being very clever at making his own inventions. To make his work easier, for example, his three-wheeled wheelbarrow with extended handles, apple picker, and an antenna rotor made from a rear-end of a car. He was always willing to help his friends and neighbors with different projects. He enjoyed gardening and watching the birds. His dog and cat also gave him much contentment and pleasure. He enjoyed baking and having family and friends stop by to share his finished product. He also enjoyed his daily trips to the Sherburne Diner for breakfast and to chat with friends. He had a love for country music and enjoyed playing his different instruments, such as guitar, fiddle and harmonica.
Clarence is survived by his daughters: Josephine and husband, Ed Slate, of South Plymouth, Mildred Manwarren and finance, Norman Bush, of Smyrna, Elaine and husband, Ivon (Joe) Manwarren, of Smyrna, and Marjorie and husband, Jerry Knapp, of Johnson City; and by his sons, Clarence (Sonny) Slater and wife, Laura, of Oxford, Lawrence (Larry) Slater and wife, Linda, of South Plymouth, James (Jim) Slater, of South Plymouth, and Stephen (Steve) Slater and wife, Laura, of Johnson City. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren; his sister, Hester Franklin, of Plymouth; his nieces, Gladys and husband, Preston Branagan, of Plymouth and Gretchen and husband, Thomas Gage, of Mt. Upton; and his cousin, Erma Simpson, of South Plymouth. He was predeceased by his brother, Carl, at childhood; a very special son-in-law, Elmer Manwarren; and his brother-in-law, Wallace (PeeWee) Franklin. Clarence was loved and will be missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services for Clarence will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Neil Bendixen, Pastor of the Canasawacta Valley Free Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment at a later date will be in the South Side Cemetery of Plymouth. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral home on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Clarence’s family has asked that memorial contributions be sent to The Alzeheimer’s Association, c/o The Meadows, Suite 2, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326.