F. William Siegenthaler Obituary (1931 - 2022)

MAYODAN - F. William Siegenthaler (Bill), 90, currently a resident of North Pointe Assisted Living in Mayodan, NC, formerly a resident of Southport, NC, New Hartford, NY and Barneveld, NY, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at his residence. Bill was born on June 6, 1931, in Utica, NY to the late Walter J. Siegenthaler and Margaret Hedderick Siegenthaler. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his large family. Bill graduated from New Hartford High School then attended and graduated from Clarkson College in 1954 with a business degree. After completing ROTC training in college, he served in the US Army as an officer at Fort Huachuca, AZ where he took his college sweetheart bride, Margie Elliott Siegenthaler to begin their married life and start their family. Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to New Hartford and joined the family business, Siegenthaler's Utica Boat Service in Yorkville. Bill's life centered around providing for his family and running many different business ventures within the family business until retiring and selling the business. Bill spent his childhood summers on Grenell Island on the St. Lawrence River and was always involved with boats and the boating community in upstate NY throughout his lifetime. His adult life was spent summering in the Adirondack Mountains on Fourth Lake with his family providing lifetime memories for his children and grandchildren. Bill eventually returned to the Thousand Island region and began restoring antique boats as well as becoming actively involved with the ACBS Antique Boat Society and worked with the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY serving as a judge and sharing his extensive knowledge of boats as this was his life passion. Bill was a former long-time member of the Utica Curling Club and enjoyed an active social life throughout his life. He enjoyed a good party! He and Margie were fortunate to have travelled to many countries and fill his endless photo albums with visuals of his many adventures along with his collected treasures from these travels. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Margie E. Siegenthaler of 55 years and is survived by his children, Deborah Dittl (Jeff) of Wellesley Island, NY, Mark Siegenthaler (Patti) of Camden, ME, Lori Tucker (Edward) of Madison, NC, Heather Bailey (Dave) of Stokesdale, NC and Douglas Siegenthaler (Kirsten) of Glenmont, NY. Ten grandchildren, Keith Dittl (Kristin) of Clover, SC, Josh Dittl (Colleen) of Stittville, NY, Adam Dittl (Jen) of Lutz, FL, Paul Mattina (April) of Stokesdale, NC, Megan Siegenthaler of Rockland, ME, Paige Burnette (Walker) of Apex, NC, Camille Crabtree (Robbie) of Concord, NC, Ashley Bailey of Stokesdale, NC, Margaret (Maggie) and Aubrey Siegenthaler of Glenmont, NY; three step-grandchildren, Josh Tucker (Nicole), Amanda Harris and Brenna Johnston (Aaron); eighteen great-grandchildren, Ava Grace, Will and Ella Dittl, Jackson, Cameron, Brielle Dittl, Maverick Dittl, Hunter and Anderson Harris, Wyatt Johnston, Dylan, Madison, Brooklyn, Cameron and Gunner Tucker, Parker and Landon Mattina, Oliver Crabtree with another baby boy Burnette arriving soon. Left to also grieve his passing is special friend, Sandy Graves of Southport and other lifelong friends, sister-in-law, Mary Archibald (Bob) and cousins. A small family celebration will be held at Belews Lake, NC with burial to be in New Hartford, NY at a later date. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful caregivers from North Pointe Assisted Living and Authoracare Hospice of Greensboro as they so lovingly cared for Bill in these final months. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Authoracare Foundation, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or to the Antique Boat Museum, 750 Mary St., Clayton, NY 13624. Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net