Allan Fuller Blackmar, a longtime Pine Plains resident, died at his home on July 10. He was 98. Born on Sept. 29, 1925, he was the eldest son of George Christian and Myrtle (Skinner) Blackmar. He attended the Attleboro school system and graduated from Attleboro Jewelry Trade School in toolmaking.
He entered the United States Army in 1943 and was a machine gunner with Company D, 273rd Infantry, 69th Division. His unit met the Russians on the Elba River at Torgau, Germany. He was in the Army of Occupation until May 16, 1946, when he was honorably discharged.
He married Mary Eileen Packer on Sept. 18, 1948. She died in 2007.
Blackmar worked for Pleasant Valley Finishing Company in the 1940s, STAMP in Red Hook during the 1950s, and in 1956 began his career with IBM. He worked in research and development at the IBM sites in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill and retired from its System Products Division. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club, in which he served as treasurer.
Blackmar was a member of the American Legion for 70 years, during which he held various positions throughout Dutchess County including post commander of Shacameco Post # 426 in Pine Plains, and Dutchess County American Legion commander in 1959-1960, Dutchess County American Legion adjutant, Dutchess County American Legion judge advocate, past chef-de-gare of Voiture # 502, LaSociete Des Quarante Hommes Et Huit Chevaux, and in 1999 was the Legionnaire of the Year in Dutchess County and the Ninth District. He was also Dutchess County American Legion protocol chairman, post adjutant, treasurer, service officer, grave registration officer and the Dutchess County American Legion Grave Registration chairman. Blackmar also was a member of the Masonic Stissing Lodge No. 615, F. & A. M. , and served various roles within the lodge.
Blackmar was also president of Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains for more than 40 years, and was an elder, deacon and served on the finance committee of the Pine Plains Presbyterian Church.
Blackmar is survived by his children, Kenneth A. (Marva) Blackmar and Susan J. (Russell) Newland-McCarty; five grandchildren, Michael P. Blackmar, David L. (Catherine) Blackmar, Erin M. (Jeff) Curnan, Vincent G. Newland, and Nathan A. (Brittany) Newland; seven great grandchildren: Scott Blackmar, Ryan Blackmar, Lilliana Tagg, Jaxon Curnan, Benjamin V. Newland, Logan M. Newland, Abigail MG Newland; his sister-in-law, Hazel Blackmar; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his wife, he was also predeceased by his son David L. Blackmar and his son-in-law Vincent G. Newland and three brothers, Stewart W. Blackmar (Emily), Arnold F. Blackmar (Alice), John Roger Blackmar.
The family requested that donations in Blackmar’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post #426 – PO Box 125, Pine Plains, N.Y. 12567 or to the First United Presbyterian Church- PO Box 313, Pine Plains, NY 12567