George E. Proniske Jr.

Proniske, George E. Jr.KINDERHOOK - George E. Proniske Jr., 82, of Kinderhook, N.Y., passed away on March 7, 2026, at Albany Medical Center, where he had been a patient since January 24 . George was born in Hudson, N.Y., to George E. Proniske Sr. and Bernice (Schwartz) Proniske. George was the eldest of six siblings, and is survived by Thomas (Marilyn), Robert (Betty), Daniel Proniske and Donna (Charles) May. George was predeceased by his brother, David Proniske. George has lived all his life in Kinderhook, graduating from Ichabod Crane High School in 1961. In December 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Tamara Nooney, and they settled in Kinderhook, where they raised two children, Trisha Lynn Proniske and Gregg Edward Proniske. Trisha resides in Kinderhook, and Gregg in East Greenbush. George is the proud grandfather of Ryan Patrick Costello (fiancée Callan Porter); and great-grandfather to Brennan and Aubriella Costello. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Connie (Kevin-deceased) Nooney; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.George was kind, considerate, and a gentle man although his stature would indicate otherwise. He could be an imposing figure when you first meet; however, one quickly realizes he has a laid-back at demeanor and his smile says it all. His interests were simple, he had a fondness for anything old fashioned, including tractors, belt-driven farm machines, barns and tools. A visit to the Chatham Fair always included a stop at the old farm machine display. He would speak fondly of being a young boy eager to ride his bike to his grandfather's farm, to help bring in the hay and feed the cows. Coincidentally, the name "George" means "farmer or "earth-worker," so he was aptly named by his parents. However, as much as he desired to someday own an old "Farmall Tractor" he had to settle for his cherished John Deere lawnmower.George's high school career was marked by excelling in basketball and softball. He was particularly proud to have been part of the 12 consecutive years Ichabod Crane "Riders" would capture the Columbia Co. Basketball championships under the coaching prowess of Gordie VanBuren. He continued to be involved in local sports in his adult years as a member of the Men's City Basketball League playing hoop for the U.S. Hotel and pitching in the Columbia Co. Men's Softball League under the sponsorship of the Val-Kin, Bucky & Hal's and the Dutch Inn. Along the way he picked up a nickname among his teammates who called him "Vida" after Vida Blue who was a power pitcher for the Oakland A's in the late 60s and 70s.George retired as a foreman/supervisor in 2001 from Plumbers & Steamfitters, Local 7. He is a 62 year member of the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Co. #2, a 48-year member of the Kinderhook Elks Lodge #2530, and until he could no longer hit the links, he was a member of Winding Brook Country Club. After retirement he took up a little woodworking and soon our basement had numerous shelving units which were sorely needed and a few bird houses appeared in our yard. He was a fanatic about putting 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles together and his collection of puzzle boxes occupies more than one of those basement shelving units.Calling hours will be held at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie, N.Y. from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, with a funeral service to follow at 12 p.m.For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Co. #2, P.O. Box 56, Stuy. Falls, N.Y. 12174, or the Kinderhook Elks Lodge #2530, P.O. Box 514, Kinderhook, N.Y. 12106, would be appreciated.