September 2, 2011

CLAYTON, N.Y.  —  Hermann R. "Hermi" Altenfelder Sr., 85, of Calhoun Road, passed away at his home under the care of his loving family and Hospice on Thursday, Sept. 1.

A graveside service at St. Mary's Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton.

Born Nov. 10, 1926, in Zurich, Switzerland, the son of Herman R. and Marta Eberhardt Altenfelder, he had attended and studied medicine at Disentis College, Switzerland. He had served in the Swiss Army and moved to New York City in 1954.

He married Betty M. Calhoun on Oct. 5, 1957, at St. Mary's Church, Clayton.

An avid skier, he had taught skiing at Lake Placid Club, Snow Ridge, Turin, and Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, and also was the sports director during the summers at Edgewood Resort, Alexandria Bay. 

After the death on his wife's parents in 1959 and 1960, he and Betty became the co-owners and operators of Cal's Cottages in Clayton. The couple spent winters in Crested Butte, Colo., where he was a ski instructor for over 50 years. As an instructor into his 80's, he was one of the oldest ski instructors in the United States. 

He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Clayton.

Besides his wife, Betty, he is survived by his three children Heidi A. and John V. Loy and Lori M. and Edward T. Loy, all of Clayton, and Marcel G. Altenfelder, Alexandria Bay, and his grandson, Nicholas L. Andress. 

His son, Hermann R. "Hermi" Altenfelder, Jr., died May 13, 2001. 

Donations in his name may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to T. I. E. R. S., PO Box 524, Clayton, NY 13624.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown