A Baum

Mr. A. Neil Baum, 87, a well-known local businessman who lived at 72 W. Monroe Street in Little Falls, died Tuesday February 17, 2004 at the Folts Home, Herkimer, NY where he was recovering from an illness. Born in Herkimer on April 8, 1916 to the late Maybelle Rice Baum and William Baum, "Neil" Baum was a long-time resident of Little Falls who married the former Mary Gregorin on April 29, 1939. On their 50th wedding anniversary, their children gave Mr. and Mrs. Baum a surprise party at the Best Western Motel in Little Falls. Mrs. Baum passed away on June 7, 1995. As a young man, Mr. Baum was employed at H.P. Snyder's Manufacturing in Little Falls for about 10 years in the 1930s and briefly worked at Remington Arms, Ilion, NY in the early 1940's before joining the Army of the United States in 1943. In the Army, Mr. Baum was qualified as an M1 Rifle Sharp Shooter in 1944. He served with distinction in the 132nd Anti-Aircraft Gun Battalion of the Blue and Grey Division, in World War II, first as a Private First Class (Cannoneer), then as a Corporal (Ammunition Non-Commissioned Officer), then as Sergeant (90 mm Gun Commander). Mr. Baum took part in numerous battles and campaigns, including: the campaigns of Central Europe, Northern France, and the Rhineland, as well as the Battle of the Bulge. Among his service medals were the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. When he left the Army in 1946, Mr. Baum had been promoted to First Sergeant of the Battalion, supervising more than 150 men. He was discharged in 1946. After his service, he was an active member of the VFW in Little Falls. In the early 1950s, Mr. Baum and his wife Mary purchased a small "newspaper & cigar" store at 110 W. Main Street in Little Falls and together with other family members, he operated and expanded the store by adding a major hunting and fishing department. He sold the Baum's Cigar Store in 1959. In the early 1950s, Mr. Baum and a few friends started experimenting with building fiberglass boats and founded The Diamond Boat Company. Mr. Baum was president of The Diamond Boat Company until it closed in 1960. With the closing of the boat company, Mr. Baum founded Empire Fibreglass Products, Inc., initially located in Ilion. This company was one of the first in the country to manufacturer chemical storage and process tanks with fiberglass. The company also produced boats, canoes and 5 gallon firefighting spray tanks. He purchased the first two lots of the Industrial Park in Little Falls and relocated Empire Fiberglass to that location in 1971. Mr. Baum, a pioneer in the manufacturing of fiberglass, developed a wide range of fiberglass products, including: boats and canoes, ski gondolas, water tanks, industrial duct work and tanks, rocket control panels, and swimming pools. In the early 1960s, he used his experience with fiberglass resins to make a leg cast waterproof for his son, Neil F. Baum, who was injured while in the Air Force. Doctors at the West Point Army Hospital were interested in this innovation and Mr. Baum provided instructions and materials to the medical staff there to make fiberglass casts. In 1981, Mr. Baum semi-retired from Empire Fibreglass Products, Inc. and turned the day-to-day running of the company to his two sons, Thomas R. and Neil F. Baum. Throughout his life, Mr. Baum was an avid sportsman and took great pride in his fishing and hunting abilities. He often traveled to Canada to fish; typically flying into remote lakes, and on one trip, went north of the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territory. He was a member of the Little Falls VFW, and was a dedicated deer hunter with his many friends and relatives. Among his many talents, Mr. Baum was a superb storyteller. At many family gatherings or parties, he would have the whole group enthralled with the tales of his experiences during World War II, fishing, hunting or working. With a unique and distinctive delivery, his stories were full of life and humor and were thoroughly enjoyed by his friends and relatives. Mr. Baum is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Neil and Carolyn Baum and Thomas and Carol Baum, of Little Falls; one daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Barbara and Robert Taylor of Boston & Wellfleet, Massachusetts; a brother in law, Frank Gregorin and wife Juanita of Arkansas and one granddaughter, Karen Baum of Boston, and one half-sister, Lois Firshing of Utica. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and good friends with whom he was close. In particular, he leaves his sweetheart of several years, Mary Bortniak who filled his last years with companionship and considerable joy. He was predeceased by Mary, his loving wife of over 56 years, a brother, Louis W. Baum, Sr. and sister Ruamy Spraker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Holy Family Parish Church Fund or the Little Falls Hospital Building Fund. As a self-directed person, of strong determinations and clear purposes, Neil was an excellent organizer, coordinator and businessman. In his professional life and his personal life, his various projects and activities were always accomplished with expertise and expedience. As complement and contrast to the practical and efficient side of his nature, he was gifted with a wonderful personality and the gentle qualities of compassion and understanding, as represented by the spontaneity of his laughter and the warmth of his smile. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Neil will always and forever be an exemplary role model to his family, customers, and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to visitation at the Enea Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe Street, Little Falls, on Thursday, February 19, 2004 from 5-8 p.m. Neil's funeral will commence at 10 a.m. from the chapel of the Enea Funeral Home on Friday, February 20, 2004 with the Rev. John Yanas, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Frankfort, officiating. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where he will be laid to rest with military escort Members of the Little Falls VFW are asked to gather at the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening to conduct a ritualistic service. Mr. Baum's family would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the Little Falls Hospital, particularly the ICU nurses and third floor staff; the Folts Home staff; and Dr. Dale Adamson for their care and support of Mr. Baum during his recent illness.