TRACY L. LAW
NORWICH – Tracy L. Law, 84, of Norwich, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown following a brief illness.
Tracy was born on March 24, 1931, the son of William L. and Dacie Fargo Wilcox Law. Growing up during the Depression, Tracy found odd jobs to help support himself and his family. No job was too little for him to complete. Tracy worked on various farms assisting his father along with helping those he knew in town. He was a member of the Norwich High School class of 1949.
Tracy served in the Korean War and during this time traveled across Europe. Tracy was stationed in England, where he toured the country side educating himself as much as he could. Following his time of service, he became employed at the Bennett-Ireland foundry. Succeeding his tenure at Bennett-Ireland, Tracy became the head electrician at the Gaines Dog Food, Standard Brands Company in Sherburne. After his time in the service, Tracy wed Inez Thompson on December 8, 1956, who predeceased him in 2000.
He had a great interest in reading. A book was never unopened if he was around. In high school, his nickname became “Book Worm” and as he continued to age, he never lost his interest in reading. Tracy collected books for his own use which he found of historical and monetary value. He sold many of them at various markets, including to world class museums. Tracy became a leader in the antique book business as an appraiser and collector.
Tracy was a collector of early American primitives and bought and sold at hundreds of antiques shows in the Northeast. Tracy was looked upon as an expert in the field. His knowledge of early Americana items was not surpassed by others and the value and use of the items could all be told by just viewing the item. Tracy owned his first antique shop selling books from a retired Railroad caboose on Polkville Hill, but soon after moved to Sherburne and opened The Curioddity Shop. Tracy ran this shop for several decades. He was a leader in the antiques field for over four decades being a premier dealer in the Northeast. Tracy continued to sell antiques until several years ago.
Tracy was the longest active volunteer at the Chenango County Historical Society. In 1973, Tracy first began volunteering at the Historical Society by shoveling out the dirt floor in the basement in order to pour cement. Tracy continued to volunteer and there isn’t much there that he has not done himself. He rewired the whole building in the 1970s and then continued to keep each room as pristine as possible for the people of Chenango County. Tracy’s dedication to the Society continued until his passing.
One of the most significant impacts that Tracy started was the forming of the Annual Labor Day Antiques Show, held every year at the fairgrounds since 1976. Tracy helped find dealers to sell their goods at the show and every year, measured the spaces, set up the fairgrounds for the event, and prepared all the show details prior to the show to ensure that it was a success.
Another significant impact from Tracy includes the establishing of the Paperback Book Exchange on Silver Street. Along with the help of Doug Hoag, they rehabilitated an older house in need of work into a used book store. After over a year of maintenance, the book store was opened and continues to be a fundraiser for the Historical Society.
Tracy was a former vice-president of the Historical Society and an honorary trustee of the Board of Directors. He also was a Registered and Deputy Historian for the county.
Besides his wife, Tracy was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Janis Ward, his brother, Willard, half-sister, Christine Adsit, and half-brother, Russell Eugene.
Close friends of Tracy wish to thank the staff at Chase Nursing Home and Preston Manor for the care and compassion.
Contributions in Tracy’s honor may be made to the Chenango County Historical Society for the new heating system, 45 Rexford Street, Norwich, N.Y. 13815.
A funeral service for Tracy will be held on Wednesday, August 19, at 2 p.m. from the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Brian Conover, Pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich will officiate. Interment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m.