Saugerties – Alfred C. Westergard (Skip) of West Saugerties died after a brief illness at Health Alliance, Benedictine Campus on Saturday, January 27, 2024. He passed peacefully with his son and daughter at his side. Skip was born on November 16, 1937, he was the son of the late Alfred and Mildred Westergard.

Skip was a proud lifelong resident of Saugerties, graduating from Saugerties High School, Class of 1956. After graduation he served in the United States Air force. He was Honorably Discharged after a letter was written by Dr. Ash (Saugerties) requesting that Skip be granted a hardship discharge to return home and help his Father care for his siblings, Donald, Linda and Sharon.

Skip worked at the Texaco Station in Malden at the Hot Shop where he met the love of his life, Ann. Those close to them know their story. He went on to become the plant photographer at IBM Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, was a member of the Quarter Century Club. In addition to his employment at IBM he had a successful photography business of his own. Skip was a self-taught photographer. He photographed almost every wedding and took every senior picture in Saugerties. After his retirement from IBM in 1992, he went on to work for the Town of Saugerties, mowing the fields at Cantine in the summer and working at the Kiwanis Ice Arena in the winter.

Skip loved baseball, jazz and vacationing in Puerto Rico. He was extremely proud of his Irish Heritage. He was over the moon proud when he learned he was more Irish than his son-in-law. Skip was a tried and true Yankee Fan and was a walking encyclopedia of baseball. He loved Saugerties Baseball. Skip loved everything Saugerties. His memory was incredible and was definitely a Saugerties Historian. Working at Woodstock '94, he drove the performers from Rhinebeck to Saugerties. He would often speak of helping Gregg Allman with a bee sting, telling him put mud on the sting to draw out the stinger. The band, Cyprus Hill liked him so much they took him on a tour of their bus.

Skip is survived by his daughter, Denise (Harry) Woltman of Kingston, a son, Tim (Becca Foy) Westergard of Owasso, Oklahoma, and his beloved grandsons, Kevin Woltman (Chrissy Vermilyea and her son, JD) of Kerhonkson and Andrew Woltman of Astoria, Queens, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Skip is predeceased by his wife of 56 years Ann Westergard, a brother, Donald Westergard and sisters, Linda Post and Sharon Cross. The family would like to send a special thank you to Heidi Chen for everything she has done through the years

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, from 3 to 6:30 with a service immediately following at Buono Funeral Service, Inc, 100 Main Street, Saugerties, NY. Interment will be conducted on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Blue Mt. Cemetery, Saugerties, NY at 11am.

In lieu of fresh flowers the family suggests dish garden for loved ones to take home in memory of Skip. Donations can also be made to the RYAN House, 19 Barclay St, Saugerties, NY. Please offer your condolences for Skip and his family online at www.BuonoFuneralService.com .

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