James D. Pruden Jr., 89, of Kingston
James D. Pruden Jr., 89, A.K.A. the “Flash,” of Yosman Tower, formerly of Rogers Street, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at ArchCare at Ferncliff in Rhinebeck.
Born July 30, 1925, in Kingston, he was the son of the late James D. Sr. and Louise (Van Ostrand) Pruden.
He was a proud graduate of Kingston High School, Class of 1944. A veteran of World War II, Jim served in the United States Army. He was employed as a lab tech for Dyno Nobel (Hercules Powder Company) for thirtynine and a half years. Jim enjoyed golfing, bowling and fishing. He played in local golf leagues and in his youth was a caddie at Twaalfskill Golf Club. He played in one of the first Herdegen Golf Championships, served as a school crossing guard and was a member of the American Legion, Kingston Post 150, and Joyce-Schirick Post 1386 VFW. Jim will be remembered in Kingston for his famous walks. On his 70th birthday, he walked from Kingston to Woodstock and back. He was the handball champion of Block Park and a member of the Off the Wall Gang.
Surviving are his children, Gary Pruden and his wife Lori of Palenville, Sue Pruden Seyfarth (Brenda Waterman) of Saugerties and Helen Cutten Strano and her husband Sean of Vass, N.C.; his sisters, Hope Tubby, Greta Wolven, Bonnie Greene and her husband Charlie; his sister-in-law, Rose Porsch; grandchildren, Keith Pruden, Alicia O’Connell, Victoria Cutten, Amanda Pruden, Emily Pruden and Andrea Strano, P.J. Seyfarth, Kristi Tomczyk, Katrina Cutten Fernandez and Minton Cutten; and great-grandchildren, Carter O’Brien and Catch Pruden. Many nieces also survive. His wife of fifty years, Doris “Sis” Pruden, and sisters, Blanche Mower and Norma Pruden, all died prev iously.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home Inc., 27 Smith Ave., Kingston (w w w.jvleahy f h.com). Friends will be received at the funeral home today from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Wiltwyck Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601. The following veterans organizations will conduct rituals this evening for Mr. Pruden: American Legion Post 150, Kingston, 7 p.m., and JoyceSchirick Post 1386 VFW, 7:30 p.m.