Sharon- Paul S. Kleinberger, 90, of Slate Hill Road, died Sunday, July 22, 2018 at his residence in the care of his family and caretakers. Paul Stewart Kleinberger was born in New York City on October 16, 1927 to Joseph, an architect, and Anna, a nurse. He joined his sisters, Ruth and Eleanor when the family moved to Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.
Paul attended Atlantic Highlands’ schools playing basketball and football as well as singing, playing the trumpet and jitterbugging in various dance competitions throughout the state at the time. Upon high school graduation at the age of 16, Paul attended what is now Drexel University in Philadelphia. Hearing the call to service during World War II, Paul immigrated to Canada and joined the Royal Canadian Armed Forces.
When the determination was made that he was too young to serve, he was honorably discharged and returned to his studies at Drexel. When he was allowed to, he joined the United States Navy. He attended the University of Chicago after basic training, studied advanced electronics and earned specialty ratings in radar mapping and avionics.
As a Navy aircrew member flying the famous PBYs, he logged over 7000 hours in the Navy’s effort to map the world. When not flying, he was a member of the United States Navy Band and often performed at White House events and ceremonies. Upon receipt of his honorable discharge, Paul transferred to the Naval Reserve and entered Rutgers University where he studied animal husbandry and veterinary science.
When he completed his studies, he settled in Sharon Springs, NY and founded Great Birch Farms with one cow and one calf. His sweetheart of many years, Rosita MacPhee of Maplewood, NJ, became his wife on June 9, 1951. Together they raised eleven children.
Through the years as the family grew, the herd of registered Holsteins grew and topped out at 400 head of cattle and young stock. The Great Birch dairy operation earned many awards and accolades over the years to include being declared a Dairy of Distinction by both the Holstein Association and the Dairyman’s League Cooperative. To support his growing family, Paul worked for Lake Electronics as the electronics technician and Fort Orange Radio Distributors as a sales manager.
With a noted entrepreneurial spirit, Paul founded Great Birches Electronics, Great Birch Morgan Horses and Country Electronics. Each endeavor distinguished itself and he enjoyed success over the years. Paul served as the Secretary of the local Dairyman’s League, Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack #17, and a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul, a member of its Parish Council, a religious education instructor and a member of the choir.
He was a founding member of St. Mary’s Council of the Knights of Columbus. Paul was active in the local 4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension programs as a leader and youth advisor. On a lighter note, he was also a member of Clowns of America International and Red Nose Response.
An avid pilot, he continued to fly private general aviation aircraft well into his retired years. His wife, Rosita, on July 23, 2015 and son, Ronald, predeceased Paul on June 7, 2015. Cherishing his loving memories are his ten children: Paul (Miriam) Kleinberger II of Loudonville, George Kleinberger of Sharon, Christina (Rick) Beauchemin of Chatham, Rosemary (Paul) Petersen of Cobleskill, Andrew (Terri) Kleinberger of Naples, FL, John Kleinberger of Schenectady, Scott Kleinberger of Carlisle, Michael (Corrine) Kleinberger of Bonita Springs, Mary (Ed) Bitzen of Kettle Falls, WA, and Gregory Kleinberger of Sharon Springs; eighteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11AM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 138 Washington Ave. , Cobleskill. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the church on Thursday from 4PM to 6PM.
Burial with military honors will be in Slate Hill Cemetery, Town of Sharon. Memorial contributions may be made to Marathon for a Better Life, PO Box 268, Warnerville, NY 12187. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.
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