Herbert Vogel

Herbert H. Vogel, 90, of Colchester died peacefully Saturday February 11, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of 62 years of Edna (Cynar) Vogel.

Herb was born in Callicoon, N.Y. to John Henry and Mae (Spielmann) Vogel in 1926 and spent his childhood on a large farm in the Catskill Mountains. Life on the farm instilled a love for animals and a strong work ethic that shaped the rest of his life. After high school, Herb enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving in WW2 and the Korean War where he honed his expertise in electronics and radar. Herb put those skills to good use landing a job at Southern New England Telephone Co. where he worked for 40 years before retiring in 1987. One of his proudest accomplishments while working at SNET was traveling to Alaska and spending nearly 2 A½ years on contract with the Western Electric Co. to construct the White Alice Communication System, a series of radio towers connecting remote U.S. Air Force sites throughout Alaska to the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line. This experience left him with a love of Alaska and its people.

Herb and Edna lived for over 30 years in North Haven before moving to Ocala, FL in 1992 after retirement. They returned to Connecticut in 2011 and settled in Colchester to be near their children. The years in Florida were spent traveling and pursing gardening and other projects. Herb was a perfectionist and loved gardening, landscaping and building. He was happiest when engaged in a project no matter how challenging. Always willing to help, he shared his talents with family and friends.

In addition to his loving wife Edna, Herb is survived by his brother Ronald Vogel of Zephyr Hills, FL; two sons, James Vogel and his wife Marcy of Marlborough and Gary Vogel and his wife Christy of Prospect; six grandchildren, Josh Vogel of Marlborough; Sean, Karlee, and Patrick Vogel of Prospect; Tom Vogel and his wife Janet of Columbia; and Sandy Vogel of Ellington; and two great grandchildren, Joshua and Madison Vogel of Columbia, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion Humiston, and a third son Thomas Vogel.

Herb will be missed by all who knew him. He gave selfless support of time and talent to those in need and regaled all with stories of life on the farm, the Alaskan frontier, SNET, and his travels. His passing will leave an empty spot in our hearts.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 11 AM in the Youngsville Reformed Church, 3990 State Route 52, Youngsville, NY.  The Rev. Gerald Wondra will officiate.

Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Youngsville, NY.

Memorial contributions in Herbert's name may be made to the Youngsville Reformed Church, 3990 State Route 52, Youngsville, NY 12791.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com