Somebody on the forum asked me about the old Deere dealerships in my area (central NY).
Our biggest competitor was Ken Canary. I got wondering if he was still alive and found this news article. Kind of neat! Even had a Deere tractor at his part. He drove there in his Amphicar. I wish I still had one. I kind of miss the way things used to be around here when we had old tractor dealers all over the place.
Ken and Phyllis Canary celebrate 60th anniversary
September 29, 2008
The Leader Herald
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Ken and Phyllis Canary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 5. A reception in their honor took place Friday, July 11, at the Broadalbin Hotel as part of the Canary family reunion weekend, with approximately 55 family members in attendance. The couple arrived at the reception in a recently restored 1966 Amphicar (amphibious car) that they purchased new. The entrance of the hotel was decorated with a 1952 John Deere Model 70 tractor, the same year and model as the first tractor the couple sold when starting out in the John Deere business. The dining room was decorated with pictures and albums of the past 60 years as well as Phyllis Canary's wedding dress, which had been made by her mother. The guests were entertained by the 1940s music as well as a game of Ken-and-Phyllis-Canary trivia. The winners of the trivia game were Audrey Canary, Warren Canary and Bill Crannell.
The couple married on June 5, 1948, at the Broadalbin Baptist Church. Together they operated an Esso Gas Station and used car lot on East Main Street in Johnstown. Later, they sold used cars and ran a salvage yard on Route 29. In 1952, they started their long affiliation with John Deere, eventually handling farm, construction and lawn equipment.
The farm, lawn and garden portion of the business is now Hudson River Tractor Co., in which the Canarys are still partners. The construction equipment portion of the business was sold several years ago.
Ken Canary enjoys working on and collecting John Deere two-cylinder tractors (1923-1959) and has bought back many that he had sold and traded originally. He also is a pilot.
Phyllis Canary enjoys Creative Memory scrapbooking and reading. They are active members of the Perth Bible Church and the Sacandaga Bible Camp. They also still enjoy flying as well as recreational vehicle traveling.
They have four children, Lynda (Bob) Naske of Johnstown, Lois (Bill) Dmyszewicz of Mayfield, Laurie (Tom) Frederick of Northville and Keith (Kelly) Canary of Vail Mills. There are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Our biggest competitor was Ken Canary. I got wondering if he was still alive and found this news article. Kind of neat! Even had a Deere tractor at his part. He drove there in his Amphicar. I wish I still had one. I kind of miss the way things used to be around here when we had old tractor dealers all over the place.
Ken and Phyllis Canary celebrate 60th anniversary
September 29, 2008
The Leader Herald
Save Bookmark and Share
Ken and Phyllis Canary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 5. A reception in their honor took place Friday, July 11, at the Broadalbin Hotel as part of the Canary family reunion weekend, with approximately 55 family members in attendance. The couple arrived at the reception in a recently restored 1966 Amphicar (amphibious car) that they purchased new. The entrance of the hotel was decorated with a 1952 John Deere Model 70 tractor, the same year and model as the first tractor the couple sold when starting out in the John Deere business. The dining room was decorated with pictures and albums of the past 60 years as well as Phyllis Canary's wedding dress, which had been made by her mother. The guests were entertained by the 1940s music as well as a game of Ken-and-Phyllis-Canary trivia. The winners of the trivia game were Audrey Canary, Warren Canary and Bill Crannell.
The couple married on June 5, 1948, at the Broadalbin Baptist Church. Together they operated an Esso Gas Station and used car lot on East Main Street in Johnstown. Later, they sold used cars and ran a salvage yard on Route 29. In 1952, they started their long affiliation with John Deere, eventually handling farm, construction and lawn equipment.
The farm, lawn and garden portion of the business is now Hudson River Tractor Co., in which the Canarys are still partners. The construction equipment portion of the business was sold several years ago.
Ken Canary enjoys working on and collecting John Deere two-cylinder tractors (1923-1959) and has bought back many that he had sold and traded originally. He also is a pilot.
Phyllis Canary enjoys Creative Memory scrapbooking and reading. They are active members of the Perth Bible Church and the Sacandaga Bible Camp. They also still enjoy flying as well as recreational vehicle traveling.
They have four children, Lynda (Bob) Naske of Johnstown, Lois (Bill) Dmyszewicz of Mayfield, Laurie (Tom) Frederick of Northville and Keith (Kelly) Canary of Vail Mills. There are eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
