Contributions to the tribute of Amos J. Minkel III

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Amos J. "Jack" Minkel III

1949 - 2025

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Melanie Ziolko posted a condolence

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Everyone that knew Jack, knew that he himself was insecure but would tell you differently. He worked hard for his accomplishments and rallied when he was successful. When he started school, he couldn't understand how it was happening that he was so smart but the kids who weren't as smart were smarter than he was. He was diagnosed with dyslexia and over came that to the extent that he was doing the New York Times Crossword puzzle everyday in pen. At a young age, his parents sold their home on Pleasant Avenue and bought one on Highland. Jack said he had extreme anxiety as the moving day approached but he walked to school from their first home and successfully walked to the new one. Jack being the musician that he was, went to Woodstock. He didn't know if he would live through the adventure but he did and he loved it. While in college he also took part in the March on Washington, protesting the Viet Nam War. He was chosen with a handful of other Colgate students, to go with Dr. Anthony Aveni, world famous expert on Archeoastronomy. They traveled to Mexico and Central America to study and chart the Mayan architecture and it's connection with astronomy. After college Jack moved to Washington and got a job in construction. He had found his niche. He loved math, loved creating, loved learning and teaching. He moved up to program manager quickly. When he returned to Hamburg, he focused on the building trades as well as painting and wallpapering throughout the area. Each job presenting challenges but also a means to hire people to help him, training them along the way. Jack became a volunteer at Sparks of Hope. He worked with Community Service adults and students. This was his forte. He also tutored people here and throughout his life. The challenge wasn't so much to get them to learn but to be a successful teacher himself. His legacy will live on in these achievements that he has shared with me. I was blessed to have been witness to his story. He wanted to be a pilot and took passed with flying colors. But when he tried to enlist in the Air Force, he had eczema and didn't pass the physical. He never got over this defeat. But Jack, you have your wings now. Fly high, my friend until we meet again.

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Audrey Mogon posted a condolence

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Jack liked to hike Zoar Valley. In 2002 he discovered an area that attracted a lot of butterflies. Knowing that I raise butterflies as a hobby, he was excited to take me there. It was a beautiful sunny day. Wildflowers and butterflies were everywhere. A tiny frog was sitting on a milkweed leaf 2ft. off the ground, looking like it was enjoying the view from a balcony. Being there felt like being inside a story book-truly enchanting. It was Jack’s kind nature to want to share this with me. Happy trails Jack! AJM too

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Andrew Hanson posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Wilderness experiences with Jack are the highlights of my friendship with him. Once in an Algonquin Park canoe trip he knew of a lake off the beaten path. Most of the time you plan a route and stick to it, but he wanted to take a side trip. He took us off route to a still lake with a beautiful green color. Usually, lakes on the route were clear enough to see little more than a few feet down. This one though was clear enough to see all the way to the bottom. And it was deep. He wanted us to see what he thought was beautiful. It was in his nature. I still remember and it has been a half century. He really was a gifted outdoorsman.

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Dick Hanson posted a condolence

Monday, July 28, 2025

Jack was a friend to all. Whenever I was in a tight jam, Jack would always seem to be around and available to figure that one last thing that would solve the problem. I will miss his friendship, his sage advice, and all the extra golf balls he always seemed to find when we were out golfing together.

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Doug Hanson posted a condolence

Monday, July 28, 2025

Jack and I became friends after growing up, and worked together for a number of years. I've always been grateful for his friendship. Jack was remarkable; from a dry sense of humor, to his intellectual abilities, and, of course, feats of strength that were beyond me. If I needed an accurate definition of an obscure word in a poem, Jack was there. If there was something to be figured out on the job, Jack was there. If a large piece of furniture during the move of a friend had to somehow get moved through a small space, Jack was there. For all those years before moving away from Western New York, I'll always be grateful that Jack was there in my life. Doug Hanson

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Tim Sawers uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

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Jack holding my niece Alexandra Sawers

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Cliff Hebard posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Jack was someone that anyone would want for a friend. Our paths diverged too long ago but the memories are clear. He was generous, trustworthy, big-hearted and good at just about everything. He truly could fix anything, and shared his mechanical skills. He was in the starting lineup as a left wing on the HHS varsity soccer team before the rest of us even saw the field. Our garage band, the IV, had four members indeed, but only one talent; Jack, on his Fender Jaguar. He mastered the outdoors, particularly canoeing, once sterning an ancient Grumman back to dock against heavily white-capped, directly upwind Lake George conditions that would have blown the average canoeist to the far shore – as his bowman that day could testify. He flourished on Raquette Lake behind Minkels’ high-powered ski boat. Jack on a slalom ski was transported, even transformed, into a man in his element – leaping, laughing, loving the moment. In late-night bull sessions on the front porch on Maple Avenue, he shared a knack for listening, a mind far keener than most, and a brother’s willingness, even eagerness, to help out. Thanks for all of it, Jack, and Godspeed. We miss you, and we remember. Cliff Hebard

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Tim Sawers posted a condolence

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Jack and I were close friends almost our entire lives. I remember when we were six or seven Jack coming to my rescue in a snowball fight at Pleasant and Hawkins. More than once he saved me. When we had a football team, Jack was the quarterback. When we formed a band, Jack played lead guitar. When we shot the Rappahannock rapids, Jack was in the stern. He could do anything. There will never be another. He was the best friend ever. Jack shoveled my roof. He fixed my car. Then he fixed my kids’ cars. Jack would actually look for people to help. He was a wonderful person, a physical and mental marvel. But Jack’s real defining characteristic was his indomitable will. If he decided to do something, he was going to do it. Jack once played a full half of a soccer match on a cracked shin bone. One New Year’s Eve at Raquette Lake Jack chopped a hole in the ice and jumped in so he could claim the title of earliest AND latest in the lake. I will miss him dearly.

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The Sawers family purchased flowers

Friday, July 11, 2025

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The Sawers family

purchased the Designer's Choice Bouquet and planted a memorial tree for the family of Amos Minkel III. Send Flowers

In loving memory.

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The Sawers family planted a tree in memory of Amos Minkel III

Friday, July 11, 2025

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In loving memory.

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The family of Amos J. Minkel III uploaded a photo

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

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Memorial contributions

Sparks of Hope 107 Main St. Hamburg, NY 14075

Memorial contributions

Hamburg Volunteer Fire Dept. 301 Union St. Hamburg, NY 14075

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Amos Minkel III

1949 - 2025

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