Milton Patrick Laub
Milton Patrick Anthony Laub, passed away peacefully at home on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2022, nestled in his beloved Catskills after many months fighting heart and kidney ailments.
Born March 2, 1927 to William E. Laub and Mabel. L. Laub (nee Demarest) in Travis, Staten Island, Milt was the 7th of 10 - nine brothers and one sister. He grew up in Travis, Staten Island and attended Ralph R. McKee High School where he studied carpentry.
Milt joined the Marines in February 1945 and prepared for the invasion of the main islands of Japan. When the war ended in September he was deployed to China where he served for two years until he returned stateside and honorably discharged in 1949 when he went to work for the American Cyanamid Company.
At the urging of his beloved sister, in 1957 Milt became a New York City Firefighter serving most of his time with Engine 157 in Port Richmond, Staten Island. While he shared many stories about various fires and dicey situations, his eyes sparkled most when sharing more everyday stories about his fellow firefighters as men he respected, joyful in their brotherhood.
He was a founding member of the Staten Island Ski Club and had many adventures with his friends throughout Europe, Vermont, and the Catskills. In 1968 Pops bought an old dairy farm in Denver, NY (“The Big House”) and started fixing it up as a ski season rental. A seemingly mundane decision that would mean so much to so many.
In the summer of 1968 Milty invited his entire extended family to come up from the city to “Uncle Milty’s” and “Family Weekend” was born: a tradition that continues to this day as an annual celebration of family that has now touched the lives of six generations.
A beautiful young teacher from Great Neck, NY answered the ad to rent the Big House and soon enough Milt and Aggie were skiing together and then dating. After many years of bachelordom, Milt finally found his bride and they married on July 22, 1972.
Milt and Agnes forged their own path, overcoming every obstacle thrown their way, and built a marriage defined by faith, love, family, community, service, and a joy of living. They were blessed with a son Daniel and a daughter Vanessa and together Milt and Agnes worked tirelessly for decades to provide a loving home. Milt was immensely proud of Agnes and her accomplishments and abilities. He took pride in his opportunity to “hold down the fort” at home so Agnes could have the space and time to complete her Doctorate in Education.
Service was a hallmark of Milt’s life and in his later years served tirelessly at the Margaretville Food Pantry, for the Delaware County Office of the Aging and as a eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Church and at the Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville.
Milt’s joy for life, love of people, curiosity about the world, love of reading, and readiness to laugh and have a party were hallmarks of his beautiful life. His legacy lives on in the hearts of so many of us who are better people by the example he is as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and citizen. We are grateful we had so many wonderful years with him, but 95 years was not enough to enjoy his amazing grace.
Milton is survived by his wife Agnes, his son Daniel and Daniel’s wife Susan, and their children Benjamin, Jackson and Fiona, his daughter Vanessa and her husband Jason and their son Travis, named after Milt’s hometown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Milt’s name to the Margaretville Food Pantry, the American Kidney Fund, or the American Heart Association. To honor his legacy, we hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness in his name, and be sure to enjoy a good party with your friends and loved ones at every opportunity.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday March 22 and 23, 2022 from 1pm-3pm and 5pm-8pm each day at Hynes Funeral Home, 48 Walnut St., Margaretville, NY. A funeral Mass will be held at 9am, Thursday March 24, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church, Margaretville, NY with Father Paul Mijas officiating.