George F. Kline

George F. Kline, 83, of Carol Ave., formerly of Ford St. and husband of Donna J., passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022, while surrounded by the loving care of his wife and family, at St. Luke's Hospital of MVHS, New Hartford. George was born in Syracuse on March 11, 1939, a son of Charles A. and Susan Smith Kline. He grew up in Forestport and then in Boonville where he received his education, graduating from Boonville Central School with the Class of 1957. While in high school he was a member of the basketball team. After completing high school, George was employed by Julian Egnaczyk at Mobil Gas and Service Station in Boonville. On May 6, 1961, George was united in marriage with the love of his life, Donna J. Jackson, at St. Joseph's Church, Boonville. This was a loving union spanning nearly 61 years. From December, 1962 until his honorable discharge in November, 1964, Mr. Kline served his country in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Tacoma, Washington and in Vicenza, Italy, serving in the accounting and payroll offices of the military. He received the Good Conduct Medal and Rifle M-1 Sharpshooter citations. Thereafter, Mr. Kline served in the U.S. Army Reserves until honorably discharged in 1968. In 1965, Mr. Kline began his long and distinguished banking career at Oneida National Bank in Boonville, advancing to Bank Manager and retiring in 1995 following the merger with Fleet Bank. An accurate description of George would be "Mr. Boonville," where he was for many years a fixture in Boonville events and organizations, serving as treasurer for as many as seven clubs/organizations at one point in his life. He volunteered for many years with the Boonville Winter Carnival Snow Festival Committee, for which he was recognized in 2015 as the Grand Marshal of the Snow Festival's Torchlight Snowmobile Parade. George was active on the Troop 13 Boy Scouts Committee for over 30 years, serving as Treasurer for much of this time. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Boonville, Harland J. Hennessey Post #5538 VFW, Charles J. Love Post #406 American Legion, and the Boonville Elks Lodge #2158. George greatly enjoyed hunting and was a member of Box Canyon Hunting Club. In the 1960's, George was an early member of the Boonville Snowmobile Rescue Squad, which later became the Boonville Search and Rescue, where he remained a member/officer for over 40 years. George was also a member of the Boonville Kiwanis Club for many decades, and was an organizer of the annual Vietnam Veterans' Picnic in Boonville for 20 years. As a member/volunteer for these organizations and more, he could be found working on countless pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, chicken barbecues, and clambakes. His greatest love in life was his wife, Donna, his children and grandchildren, and his many friends. He is survived by sons William (Christy) Kline, Whitesboro, Stephen (Dawn) Kline, Boonville, David (Kelly) Kline, Syracuse; daughters, Barbara (Christopher) Raulli, New Hartford and Christine (Mark) VanNamee, Barneveld; grandchildren, Michael Kline, Brittany (Ryan) Gaffney, Michelle (Daniel) Harvell, Alexis Kline, Tyler (Brittany) Kline, Seth Kantor, Payton VanNamee, Brett VanNamee and Jarret VanNamee and great grandchildren, Kaydence, William, Gracelyn, Harper, Logan, Kinsley and Daniel, Jr.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred and Elaine Kline, Boonville, and Mark and Sue Krist, Boonville, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Joan Kline. His family will be observing a private memorial service; however, all are invited to attend a celebration of his life on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 1-4 PM at the Boonville VFW, Park Avenue, Boonville. His arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, NY. In lieu of flowers, those who wish can donate to the VFW in Boonville in George's memory. Checks can be mailed or dropped off in-person to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5538, 108 Park Ave, Boonville, NY 13309.