Obituary of Harry F. VanDerbeck

Harry F. VanDerbeck, age 89, formerly of Binghamton went to be with the Lord on Tuesday October 11, 2016 after a brief illness in Concord, NC. The son of the late Phillip and Alice VanDerbeck of Binghamton, Harry was pre-deceased by his brothers; Phillip, Earl and Donald VanDerbeck as well as sisters Kathleen Buffington and Alice Hanrahan. Harry was survived by his wife of 60 years Pauline (Cordisco) VanDerbeck. Two Sons; Kevin (Phyllis) VanDerbeck of Rockwell, NC and Keith VanDerbeck of Binghamton, NY. His four Grandchildren; Lyndsay (Kiel) Sullivan of Binghamton, Josh (Carrie) VanDerbeck of Litchfield Park, Az , Anna (Haz) Raheem of Binghamton and David VanDerbeck of Binghamton as well five Great-Grandchildren that were the light of his life Kaylie, Kaliyah, Corey, Harith and McKenna. Harry is survived by one sister JoAnn VanKuren as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Growing up on the Eastside; Harry attended St. Paul's High School in Binghamton. After high school Harry enlisted in the US Navy Seabees, serving on the Island of Attu in Alaska during WWII. Upon discharge from the Navy he began his career at IBM Endicott, retiring as a department manager after 38 years of service. Upon retirement he owned and operated Harry's Wine and Liquors in Chenango Bridge. Following in the VanDerbeck brothers footsteps Harry enjoyed his days as an amateur boxer until former Light Heavy Weight Champion of the World Tommy Loughran, who officiated one of his fights, told him "Kid, never take this sport up for a living because you don't start fighting until you get mad." Harry's love of sports continued through his life. He was a lifelong New York Yankee and New York Giants fan and when he wasn't watching the professionals play he served as an IAABO Basketball Official from 1955-1970. Harry was also a great cook, thanks in part to his time in the US Navy, and enjoyed cooking for his family. Harry was a man of deep faith, loyalty and compassion who loved his family deeply, worked hard throughtout his life and had a lighthearted sense of humor that could always elicit a smile. In the words of Abraham Lincoln "in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Crescent Heights Retirement Community, the staff at Carolina Medical Hospital NE and Tucker Hospice House, Concord NC, for their compassionate care during Harry's final days. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Corner of Leroy and Oak Streets, Binghamton, Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Thursday from 5-7 p.m.