Pine Plains, NY – Gregory Ross McEldowney passed away at home on November 11, 2017. Born April 1, 1952 in Amityville, N.Y., he was the son of the late Elliot H. McEldowney Jr. and Pauline Starke McEldowney. His early years were spent in Amenia, N.Y. working with the family owned weekly newspaper and printing business, The Harlem Valley Times. Photography and darkroom work were an early passion.
As was his grandfather, father, and brother, he was a conscience objector. During the Vietnam War he attended the Peace March on Washington D. C. With a group of fellow Quakers. He also spent all 3 days at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
After spending a year traveling around Europe visiting museums and antique fairs and flea markets he returned to Amenia to open an Antique shop in 1975. In 1980 he went on the road for a few years buying and selling at Antique shows from New Hampshire to Florida including his 35 years with the Brimfield Mass Antique and Flea Market.
When he returned to the area in 1983 he worked as the manager of the Copake Country Auction before opening Stissing Mountain Antiques.
He was particularly passionate about Antique clocks and was a 38 year member of the National Association of Clock Collectors.
On September 5, 1985 he married Hollie Adams at what is now Dutch’s Spirits in Pine Plains. Several years later he renovated the former Woopie Johnson house at the base of Little Stissing Mountain where he and his wife enjoyed regular hikes with their rescue dogs. They also enjoyed the company of their many rescue cats. Beekeeping and gardening were another important part of his life.
In addition to his work as an Antique dealer he spent many years as caretaker for The Thompson Pond Nature Preserve, was the volunteer caretaker of the Memorial Clock Tower in Pine Plains, a longtime volunteer with the Columbia Greene Humane Society in Hudson, N.Y. And was a trustee of the Evergreen Cemetery in Pine Plains, N.Y.
He is survived by his wife Hollie Adams, brothers Elliot and his wife Gail of Vernon CT. and G Philip of Santa Fe, N.M. And nephews Elliot, Arthur and Derek.
There will be no services. Memorial contributions are to be made to Columbia Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Rd, Hudson N.Y. 12532.
In addition, there are not enough words of praise for the entire group of Dutchess County Hospice staff who were so caring and respectful during Greg’s final days.
