Christopher Quinby

Christopher William Quinby, 74, of Copake passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center on September 6, 2023. Born August 1, 1949, Chris was the son of Sidney and Virginia (Page) Quinby.

He was a lifelong resident of Copake. He attended the Roeliff Jansen Central School where, in high school, he was an outstanding hurdler on the track team and played the trumpet. He graduated in 1967. He attended Syracuse University, and was awarded an Associate in Arts degree from Dutchess Community College in 1970.

Chris was a self-employed plumbing & heating contractor; proprietor of Chris' Cards and Comics store in Hillsdale; a church organist; a rock 'n' roll musician; and a contributing photographer for The Columbia Paper.

He loved Copake, and devotedly served his community in many ways including: Boy Scout leader; helping to revitalize the Copake Grange (past President); organizing/leading Copake Community Day and the Summer Music in the Park series; serving on the Copake Park Commission (past Deputy Chair) and the Copake Hamlet Revitalization Task Force; and putting forth a resounding "Ho! Ho! Ho!" from the Santa float in every Holiday Lights Parade.

He was a Lay Leader at, and member of, St. John's Lutheran Church, Ancram; an Election Official with the Columbia Co. Board of Elections; member of the Columbia Co. Republican Club; and competed for the Glencadia Bullets Track & Field (USATF) Club with his son, Jonathan.

Music was Chris' passion. He shared his God given talent with church goers and rock 'n' roll fans all his life. He started playing tunes by ear on the piano at age 5. At only age 13 or 14, he landed his first full time church organist job, and continued this full time work of joy every weekend in many houses of worship throughout the Roe Jan area right up to shortly before his death.

He formed his first rock 'n' roll band in his teens, and performed as keyboards player/vocalist in his numerous popular bands for decades. By the time he retired, he was affectionately known as "Father Time" in professional music circles.

Chris is survived by son, Jonathan Quinby (fiancee Shalee Patterson) of Huntington, WV; sister, Robin (Quinby) Rozines of Saratoga Springs; widow, Ellen (Nelson) Quinby of Copake; and his cat, Peanut.

He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Rachel (Quinby) Perkins; brother, James Quinby; and beloved Joanne Delamater.

All are welcome to Chris' funeral and Celebration of Life. There will be no calling hours; no flowers, please. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1273 Co. Rt. 7, Ancram. On Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. there will be a Celebration of Life at the Copake Memorial Park building, 305 Mt. View Rd., Copake. Donations are requested for Chris' final expenses. Checks may be made payable to Peck & Peck Funeral Home (memo line: Christopher Quinby) and may be mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 852, Copake, NY 12516 or may be brought to the Celebration of Life.