Honoring Chuck McIntosh - A Community Fixture, Passes Away at 81

BOVINA - At age 81, Charles "Chuck" McIntosh passed away on September 24 at his home in Bovina. Chuck was born right in Margaretville in 1944 and resided in Bovina his whole life. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Betty McIntosh, three children, and many grandchildren.

In his early life, Chuck attended Andes Central School and studied agriculture at SUNY Delhi following graduation.

A community man, Chuck developed and worked on many organizations. Most notably, Chuck was a founding member of the Bovina Emergency Squad and served the Bovina Center Fire Department for 62 years. The emergency squad has now been in service for around 50 years.

"He was always our biggest supporter," said Bovina Fire Chief Kevin Brown. Chuck was honored for his volunteer service this past June. Brown noted that Chuck continued to support the department in many ways, even if he could no longer respond to a call in the same way he once did. It has been Chuck's position for many years to take donations and payment for the annual chicken BBQ fundraiser, said Brown, "he was the first face you saw." Brown recalled Chuck attending many department meetings, telling past stories, and being a "wealth of knowledge."

Chuck further served his community as a member of the Town Board and Zoning Board.

"I am deeply saddened by the recent passing of Charles (Chuck) McIntosh of Bovina. I had the honor of working with Chuck for 16 years in the Town of Bovina," said Supervisor Tina Molé, "His love and dedication to our shared community was unwavering. Chuck was a true gentleman, seeking compromise and resolve with each issue while still making sure we never lost sight of the people that we were there to serve."

Molé further stated that Chuck's appreciation for Bovina and Delaware County was evident, noting, "He worked tirelessly to preserve our little town while also promoting change that would make us sustainable into the future."

"Chuck will be deeply missed both for his knowledge and compassion and for his continued support of our small town," said Molé, "I have been privileged to work with him and call him a friend. I will never forget the lessons he taught me and his commitment to all that he loved."

Chuck was also a local businessman of many talents, having worked the family dairy farm, run the Bobcat Ski Center, and organized the McIntosh Auction.

The ski center in Andes, originally called Catskill Ski Center, opened in 1963. Over the course of four decades, Chuck ran the business alongside his brother, Roger, after the family purchased it in 1965. Although the ski slopes were sold after 16 years, the two brothers remained staples of the operations until their closure in 2005.

But Chuck and Roger were busy individuals. Before selling the ski center, the brothers opened McIntosh Auction Service in 1975. The auction was one of the region’s longest-running family businesses, and the oldest continuously operating auction in Delaware County, with a unique blend of old-fashioned appeal and technology.

"Attending McIntosh Auction was always a fun experience, where you're guaranteed some genuine entertainment, even if you're not a winning bidder," Reporter Brian Sweeney wrote in 2019. In his article, Sweeney quoted Chuck - "We try to have a little fun."

Condolences for the family can be shared by visiting macarthurfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Bovina Fire Department, Helios Care, or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.