Obituary of David-J. Powers

Powers, David J. REXFORD David Jansen Powers, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 8, 2008. David resided in Coburg Village, where he was a charter member. He was born in Peekskill, N.Y. on March 17, 1912. He graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1933 with a degree in mechanical engineering. As a young man, David joined a cavalry unit in the National Guard. For a time, he was working in the field of power transmissions for the Navy in drafting and design. The greater part of his career was with insurance companies overseeing the safety measures in construction, buildings, dams, schools, offices etc., to meet the requirements of the necessary insurances. This all had to be done by diplomacy and persuasion and was the forerunner of the government agency OSHA. He retired from Kemper Insurance Agency in 1977. He was president of the Eastern New York Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers from 1971 to 1972. He was a longtime member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany, N.Y., serving on the vestry and as senior warden. After moving to Clifton Park, he became a member of St. George's Episcopal Church. He was predeceased by his wife, Lucille Stewart Powers; son, Edward Powers; and siblings, Thomas Jr., Robert, Roger, Russell, Marjorie and Barbara. He is survived by a sister, Eleanor (Bob) Plumb; son, David, stepson, Lyle (Lola) Spalding; two granddaughters, Kristina Mullen and Michele Powers; one step-granddaughter, Jane (Paul) Harty and three step-grandsons, David (Marianne) Spalding, Jeffrey Spalding and Michael (Rhonda) Spalding; two great-grandchildren, eight step-great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Sharon LaViolette. A memorial service will be held in the auditorium at Coburg Village at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.