David Frank Conklin

It is with great sorrow that the family of David “Homer'' Conklin, loving husband, stepfather, and grandfather announces his passing on December 28, 2023. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. Dave was 80 years old. He was born in1943 in Tuxedo, New York to the late Homer and Margaret Conklin. In addition, Dave served honorably in the United States Army from 1962-1964. Before his retirement, he was a custodian at Ramapo Central School District for many years.

Dave is predeceased by his brother Joe, and is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, stepchildren Bob Rykowski, Diane (Daniel) Heffernan, Joe (Jennifer) Rykowski, and grandchildren Cassidy (Fiance, AJ), Joey, Justin, Jack, Sophie, and Jesse.

Dave was actively involved in his community and church. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1643 of Sloatsburg. For 18 years Dave and Marilyn volunteered as Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Village of Sloatsburg’s Breakfast with Santa. Dave also volunteered for many years as the Sloatsburg Legion’s Santa Train (The Lokey). In recent years Dave and Marilyn had volunteered as Santa and Mrs. Claus for their church’s Breakfast with Santa at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Mahwah, NJ. His memory will live on in the many pictures taken with the neighborhood children with Dave as Santa.

David (Homer) was a legend in his own time. He was and still is “Mr. Sloatsburg”. Dave loved talking about its history with his stepchildren and grandchildren while at the same time fostering in all of them a love for the landmarks, trails, streams, swimming holes, and special rocks all around them. We always laugh when we talk about his country sayings and anecdotes.

Dave and Marilyn were married for 37 years. From the start of their relationship 40+ years ago, they shared a special passion and love for the Hudson River and boating. Dave was an expert at navigating and chartering their many boating adventures. His first mate Marilyn was the master of knots, tying up the boat so it wouldn’t float away! His stepchildren, their friends, and grandchildren were also fortunate enough to spend time on the Hudson River and Lake Bomoseen (Vermont) tubing, boogie boarding, water skiing, and swimming over the years. He also loved taking his rowboat (Dingy), the “Marilyn Jane” on exciting adventures on the Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. Some of their other boats, the “Our Escape” and “The Papa Joe”also brought many happy memories to his family and friends over the years.

Some of his other passions included making specially crafted log cabins, landscape paintings for his friends and family, and carved tug boats and sailboats for his grandchildren.

Dave’s love of adventure was evident in his many road trips. He never missed an opportunity to take a backroad, stop at a garage sale, or “look for corn”. On more than one occasion his road trip ended with an overnight stay in a far away destination because it became too late to travel home.

In the later years, Dave could be found driving around Sloatsburg in his 1996 Jeep Cherokee, stopping and talking to neighbors and strangers, and giving out dog biscuits. Dave never missed

an opportunity to share his “gift of gab” and kindness with a stranger. He could also be found relaxing in his easy chair with his cell phone and his dogs Rocky and Larry. Dave especially found great comfort in keeping tabs on his stepchildren and grandchildren through his many text messages and phone calls.

Dave told Marilyn (Mar) how beautiful she was every day and expressed how each meal she prepared was the best he ever had. Seeing the joy on Marilyn’s face when he surprised her with a bouquet of flowers was something he did for her since his stepchildren were younger.

In closing, Dave’s unending love, kindness, generosity, and compassion demonstrated over the years will never be forgotten and will live on in our hearts forever.

A visitation for Dave will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 from 4::00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59 Suffern, NY 10901. A Roman Catholic Mass will occur Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 47 Island Road Mahwah, NJ 07430.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital