Harold W. Backus

Funeral services for Harold W. “Count” Backus, 95, former Heuvelton resident, will be held on Wednesday April 13, 2011 beginning with calling hours at 10:00am until the time of the service at 11:00am at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home, Ogdensburg, with Rev. Rob Schirmer, pastor of the Heuvelton Presbyterian Church, officiating. Entombment will follow in Foxwood Memorial Park, Ogdensburg.

Mr. Backus died Saturday Evening (April 9, 2011) at the United Helpers Nursing Home, with his niece by his side.

Surviving are; 3 nieces, Lorraine Farley Clarke, Pooler, GA, Sue Crane, Millersville, MD, Doris Moore, Downingtown, PA; 3 nephews, Lyle Seaman of Clayton, NY, Laurance Seaman, Clearfield, PA, and Willard Roy of GA. Predeceasing him were; 2 sisters, Bessie Roy and Helen Seaman; 3 nieces, Judy Weston, Claire Stahl, and Christine Weber and a nephew, Reginald Roy.

Harold was born on July 12, 1915 in Heuvelton, NY, a son of the late George and Mima McHugh Backus. He graduated from Heuvelton High School in 1933, and attended Tusculum College in Greenville, TN for 2 years. He returned to the Backus Homestead Farm on the Horseshoe Road in Heuvelton which dated back to the early 1800’s of family heritage. There he operated the farm and raised jersey cattle from 1942 until 1968 when he began his employment at Canton College. Harold retired from the in 1981. He married Arlene Farley on June 5, 1940 at the Heuvelton Presbyterian Church with the late Rev. Allen G. Bowering, officiating. After retirement the couple moved to the village of Heuvelton where they lived until he entered the nursing home. Mrs. Backus predeceased him on Mar. 18, 2005.

Harold was a member of the Heuvelton Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Trustee, and Deacon and was also a life time member of the Heuvelton Cemetery Association. He was also a member of the Artificial Breeders Assn of New York, and enjoyed bowling in his spare time.

Memorial contributions in Harold’s memory have been requested to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley or the United Helpers Memorial Fund.