Herbert L. 'Herb' Black

Remsen- Herbert L. Black, 86, U.S. Navy, Retired, husband of Hazel, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2015, while riding his motorcycle and enjoying a gorgeous Autumn day. He was born in Syracuse, on February 12, 1929, a son of George and Bessie Cornwell Black. Herb grew up in Marcellus, where he graduated from Marcellus High School with the Class of 1946. While in high school Herb played the tuba in the school band and he studied many extra courses; his pursuit of learning about the world he lived in continued for the duration of his life. Thereafter he attended Cornell University School of Agriculture and participated in the Cornell Big Red Band playing tuba for Cornell football games and other college activities. In 1952, Mr. Black enlisted in the U.S. Navy, taking his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base and studying electronics at Treasure Island, Naval Base in California. While serving in the Navy, Herb participated in the Navy Band. Lt. Black was first stationed in Guam; in January, 1955, while on leave, he returned to Marcellus to visit his parents. During that visit he met the love of his life, Hazel E. Jones, who was teaching at Stockbridge Valley High School at Munnsville. Lt. Black and Hazel were united in marriage on September 10, 1955, at Holland Patent Presbyterian Church. This was a loving and adventurous union that endured for 60 years. Later in 1955, Lt. Black was stationed in Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Morocco, Homestead, Fla, Skaggs Is., California, Okinawa, Japan, and lastly at the Panama Canal Zone, retiring in 1973, when he and his family relocated to their present home in Remsen. In 1973, Mr. Black began his second career; for 27 years he was employed as a school bus driver at Remsen Central School, in 2000 Herb began volunteer driving for RSVP for Oneida and Herkimer Counties. He also served as a volunteer driver for the Association for the Blind and the Red Cross. At the present time he continued to volunteer by driving patients to doctor's appointments. Herb was a very gifted and talented wood worker; for many years he enjoyed teaching Remsen area youth the art of woodworking. He also greatly enjoyed gardening, raising beef cattle and for several years he operated an excavating service. He enjoyed all types of farm tractors. Since his teenage years Herb was an avid motorcyclist. Herb and Hazel greatly enjoyed traveling. They toured each of the 50 United States, all of the Canadian Providences, all of the Central American Countries, and extensively throughout Europe. In addition to his wife, Hazel, Herb is survived by one son and daughter in law, Eric L. (Lou Ann) Black, Syracuse, one daughter and son in law, Jenifer S. (John) Enright, Long Beach, MS; two grandchildren, Megan and Christopher, both Syracuse, one great granddaughter, Isabell; one sister, Betty Black, Marcellus, and several cousins. His Funeral will be Tuesday, October 20, at 11:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Susan Poole Solomon, pastor of Holland Patent Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment in Holland Patent Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Sunday, October 18, from 1-4 P.M. at the Plis Funeral Home, 33 North St. Marcellus, NY, and on Monday, October 19, from 1-7 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Association for the Blind at 507 Kent St. Utica, NY 13501.