COPAKE–At a ceremony Saturday, June 18, Town Supervisor Reginald Crowley addressed the citizens of Copake in the hamlet square where all gathered for the rededication of the memorial clock, a tribute to those who served in wartime.
The Copake Memorial clock, Mr. Crowley said, “has come to represent the heart of our community. The people who live here as well as anyone who travels through Copake knows exactly what you are talking about when you say ‘the clock in the center of Copake.’”
The original cost of the clock, purchased from noted clock manufacturer O.B. McClintock, was $2,600. That “was a large sum at the time, especially considering world events of the day,” said the supervisor, noting that the town facilitated the creation of the monument through private donations which funded the entire project. The monument was originally conceived as a lasting tribute to the citizens of Copake who served in both World Wars I and II.
Sixty-seven years after the original dedication in October 1944, the chimes of the four-sided stained glass clock with the words “Lest We Forget,” sounded again.
Thanks was extended to the community for its generosity and to a committee of citizens, Rus Davis, Ingrid and Matt Cain, Joe LaPorta, Karen DiPeri, Chris Quinby, Art Rubinstein, Peg Anderson and Jeff Nayer, who successfully raised $42,000, to completely restore the clock works and the chime unit. The entire clock body and pedestal were rebuilt, and the stained glass was restored “to its original appearance and beauty,” Mr. Crowley said.
“Today this clock begins its life anew to remind us and future generations of those who serve our nation in time of war to preserve the freedom that we enjoy.
“The completion of this project is a tribute to what can be accomplished when the members of a community come together and work toward the common good,” he said.
Helping to celebrate the clock’s resurrection, was Alan Chartock, CEO of WAMC-FM, who recounted the time when he worked at the former Bronx House Emmanuel Camp up the road and the Jewish kids from the camp would come to town to eat at Larry’s Hotel, where they were served canned ham salad sandwiches and Coca-Cola. He recalled the places in town that remain, the hotel and the barber shop…
As he was speaking the clock chimed and everyone stopped briefly to listen and applaud. “Is this great or what?” Dr. Chartock said. “I love Copake. I’ve always loved it.”
Also on hand for the ceremony was Congressman Chris Gibson, (R-Kinderhook). “On a day like today we pause and remember. We’re thankful to all whose who stepped forward to protect our freedom. We remember especially Steve McIntyre, a young man of this town, who in 1944 gave the ultimate sacrifice in Italy, on behalf of all of us. And who in sacrifice inspired this town to come together and to erect this clock. We also remember Elinor Mettler, who recently passed away, who meant so much to this community and who influenced so many lives. Her spirit like that of Steve McIntyre is with us today, inspiring us to do our duty and love one another.”
Albert C. Bristol’s daughters, Bernice Bussett and Barbara Gobillot, who call themselves the Bristol girls, were present. Their father, Albert emceed the first dedication ceremony in 1944. He and Eddie McIntyre, Steve McIntyre’s uncle, were instrumental in making the memorial clock a reality. A citation signed by Assemblyman Marc Molinaro was presented in honor of the memorial rededication.
