Allan George McIntosh, 97, Waddington

WADDINGTON -- Allan George McIntosh of Waddington passed away on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2023) at Canton-Potsdam Hospital at the age of 97, surrounded by loving family and holding the hand of his wife of 74 years. As she put it, “He did it his way.”

Allan was born April 9, 1926, in Norwood, New York, the fourth of five children of Arthur G. and Sara Grant McIntosh.

He was a child of the Depression, and from his parents, he inherited the indomitable work ethic he would maintain throughout his life.

At a young age, he and his brothers were entrusted with running the family farm while his father traveled out of the area on WPA jobs.

After attending school in Norwood and elsewhere, he graduated from Madrid High School in 1942 at the age of 16.

Allan and the other men and women of the Class of ’42 produced their school’s first-ever yearbook and planned its first senior trip—to New York City, where he saw Jack Dempsey and viewed a demonstration at the NBC studios of a fancy new technology called television.

On January 26, 1944, at the age of 17, he rode the train to Watertown and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II and was honorably discharged on July 11, 1946, in Quantico, Virginia. The Marine Corps took him from his unelectrified farm to places like Tijuana, San Francisco, and Guam, experiences that helped shape him tremendously. 

After the war, he returned to work at ALCOA, where he was employed as a millwright until 1958.

He then began work at the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation in Massena; in 1970, he was appointed Chief of Maintenance. Allan was recognized by the United States Secretary of Transportation for his “uncommon ability” and “truly outstanding” initiative, as well as for the respect he inspired in those who worked with him. This will come as a surprise to nobody who knew him. He retired in March of 1985.

He enjoyed nearly four decades of rich and active retirement, traveling with his wife and remaining a steadfast fixture in the lives of his children and grandchildren. One of the great pleasures of his life was time spent outdoors, whether hunting, fishing or simply tending his garden. He loved and was beloved by animals, from the cow dogs of his boyhood to his many “grand-dogs”.

Allan was a 68-year member and Past Master of Waddington Masonic Lodge, F. & A. M.; former member of Norwood Lodge and Syracuse Consistory, 32°; member of Waddington Legion Post No. 420; and retired member, and former Assistant Chief, of Waddington Volunteer Fire Department, where he also made many memories as part of the department’s racing team.

Allan first danced with Leonore “Lee” McMillan at the Waddington Town Hall in 1946, shortly after returning from the Marine Corps. As he described it, nearly eight decades later, “something just clicked,” and they were married three years later, on September 17, 1949, by Rev. William Wood in the Norwood Methodist manse. The couple settled in Waddington, where they raised three children. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lee; two daughters, Hollis (Donald) Hughes of Waddington and Sandra (Joseph) Ruddy of Norfolk; and one son, David A. McIntosh of Waddington. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Melissa Hughes Madlin, Waddington, Elizabeth Ruddy, Los Angeles, and Eve Ruddy, Potsdam; three grandsons, Jonathan Hughes, Waddington, Derek McIntosh, Denver, and Mark Ruddy, Potsdam; one great-grandson, Tanner Smith, Waddington; and several beloved nieces and nephews, including Dianne Meyer, Massena, and Michael McIntosh, Waddington. 

He was predeceased by his parents; a grandson, Jared McIntosh; his brothers, Donald, Ronald, and Jerrold McIntosh; and his sister, Elinor Nichols.

He will be remembered and missed for many qualities, including his intelligence, integrity, dignity, humor, and, most especially, his strength and his gentleness. 

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral or calling hours. His remains will be interred in New Brookside Cemetery, Waddington, at the convenience of the family. The Phillips Memorial Home, Waddington, is handling the arrangements for the McIntosh family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Waddington Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 331, Waddington, New York 13694.       

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories, photos, and condolences online, by visiting www.PhillipsMemorial.com