| Date of Birth | August 31, 1935 |
| Date Deceased | January 9, 2024 |
| Hometown | Pulteney/Penn Yan |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | January 19, 2024 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | First Presbyterian Church, Pulteney |
Charles “Hickory” Vaughn Potter
PULTENEY/PENN YAN – Charles “Hickory” Vaughn Potter, 88, of Pulteney and Penn Yan went to be with his Lord and Savior and love of his life, Harriette, suddenly on January 9, 2024. He was born in Pulteney, New York to the late Isolid and Francis Potter on August 31, 1935.
He graduated from Hammondsport High School and attended Alfred State College. He retired from Taylor Winery/Pleasant Valley Winery/Great Western Winery after over 40 years, where previously his father was the manager and his mother worked in administration. Hickory was very active in his community and had quite the social life. He was the last living member of The Melody Boys Barbershop Quartet (Robert & Richard Shuart, Ed Simonson), Chaplain of the Free and Accepted Masons Milo Lodge #108 Penn Yan, longtime member of the Unity Chapter #886 Bath, New York Eastern Star recently installed as an Associate Patron, lifetime member of the Pulteney Fire Department, lifetime member of The Pulteney Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir with his sister (Ann),NRA member, and a cherished member of ‘Camp Gusto’, his beloved hunting camp family.
Charles was always there for his family, friends, and community, volunteering his time whenever he could. Charles made friends everywhere he went, loved to chat, never sat still, and was a ‘straight shooter’. He left his family and friends with many cherished memories.
He is survived by his sister, Ann Bailey; sons Jeffrey (Gabriele) Potter, John (Kim) Potter and Brock (Lynn) Potter; grandchildren Hans (Kristiana) Potter, Shauna (Kyle) Cook, and Wade (Deneé) Potter; great grandchildren Ayden and Jaxson Potter; sisters-in-law Teri VanVliete and Jacquelyn (James) Robinson; brother-in-law Frederick (Randi) VanVliete; long time friend Norman ‘Bucky’ Bates; several nieces and nephews; and his trusted companion, dog Luke.
Charles was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Harriette O. Potter; his parents Isolid and Frances Potter; his grandmother Bernice Wheeler; and brothers-in-law Donald Bailey and James VanVliete.
A Fireman/Mason/Order of the Eastern Star Service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Pulteney with Rev. Donald Peek officiating. A graveside committal service will be held in the spring.
Donations can be made in Charles’ name to your local animal shelter, the Pulteney Fire Department, or the First Presbyterian Church of Pulteney.
The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., HAMMONDSPORT is honored to assist Charles’ family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Charles are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
John, thinking of you & sending my condolences. May fond memories of your Dad bring you comfort.
So sorry for your loss, Hickory was always sharing his stories and was around helping everywhere. he will be greatly missed by many
Five generations of our family have known Hickory, the youngest calling him “Hickie” and he will not remember, but his memory will live on through all the years of stories we all have, and willing to share, whenever we want to talk about a “man who never met a stranger”… “a man who would help a stranger”… and call him a friend. Hickory was a friend to all of us, was like family, and proud to have crossed paths with him many decades ago. He was a “gentleman” and a “gentle man”… may he Rest in Peace.
Our Deepest Sympathy to Hick’s entire, loving family.
The Beckman Family
I am so sorry to all of Charles Family, I am sorry I am unable to attend his services, hugs to you all! He will be so missed. However, I know he is happy to now, be with Harriette!
I only knew Hickory through hunting camp , having a place just up the hill! Every trip to Hickory and Tinks camp brought joy and most importantly laughter! Never knew what our friend Hickory was gonna come up with next! His stories were timeless and got better every time I them! Always welcomed me with a cold one and some delicious food .
Job well done Hickory! You will be missed but always remembered!
We were so sadend by hicks passing I had the privilege of knowing hick for 30 years having my hunting camp not far from gusto we spent many great times hunting chating with an occasional libation lol I will forever cherish those memories rip hick.
The Deuel family