Obituary of Duane (Wimp) Congdon

SALISBURY CENTER – Duane A. (Wimp) Congdon, 80, of State Route 29, Salisbury Center passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014, at his residence following a brief illness. Duane was born on May 3, 1934, in St. Johnsville, NY, the son of the late Alfred R. and Dorothy (Walrath) Congdon. He was educated in Dolgeville Central schools. Mr. Congdon was a veteran of the Korean War serving with the US Air Force as a petroleum specialist in Alaska, Texas and Ohio. Following his discharge from the US Air Force, he enlisted as a member of the US Army Reserve, where he proudly served his country for 20 years. Duane was united in marriage to his wife of 32 years, the former Margaret (Peggy) Murphy on August 21, 1981, at their home in Salisbury Center. A member of the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge # 796 F&AM, he was also a member of the American Legion Post # 31, Little Falls, S/Sgt. Steve Stefula Post # 4612 VFW, Little Falls, the Sprite Club and the Dolgeville Lions Club. Mr. Congdon was a self-employed logger most of his life operating Congdon Trucking in Salisbury. He also owned and operated Squires Lounge, later Wimpy’s in Dolgeville for several years, operated his own saw mill, worked construction and at onetime installed mobile homes with his brother Lee in Virginia. Duane is survived by his wife; Margaret (Peggy), his daughters; Lisa Corrigan and her husband Peter, Utica and Karen Peruzzi, Herkimer, his daughter in law; Susan Small, Johnstown, brothers; Leland R. Congdon and his wife Jeanne, Richfield Springs and Richard N. Congdon and his wife Sandra, Salisbury Center, his grandchildren; Brittney Link and her husband Paul, Dolgeville, Chelsea Smith, Utica, Janella Peruzzi, Oneida and Taylor Small, Johnstown, great grandchildren; Jarrod and Wyatt Link, Aaliyah Smith, Jisela Velasquez and Aidyn and Noah Spight, brothers in law; Daniel Murphy, Westville, NY, Dennis Murphy, Oppenheim, Earl Murphy (Jan), Rome, Brian Murphy, Whitesboro and Richard Murphy (Cathy), Cassville, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Doris Nelson in 1961 and by his step son Richard (Ricky) Small in 2004. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 11:00 am, at the Salisbury Rural Cemetery, State Route 29, Town of Salisbury with the Rev. Rodney Congdon officiating. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY. There are no calling hours. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Duane be considered to the Herkimer Co. Humane Society, PO Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407 or Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.