Walter Cornwell Milbank

Walter C. Milbank, 85, died November 9, 2014 at Ellis Hospital. Born in Albany, he was the son of the late Fred R. Milbank and Saletta Cornwell Milbank. Mr. Milbank was raised and educated in Schenectady, NY. Walter was an Army veteran serving in the Signal Corp during The Korean War.

Following the service, he owned Exclusive Cleaners in Schenectady and later sold real estate for R. W. Stine & Co., Inc. After graduating from the Russell Sage College General Insurance Program, and receiving his Insurance Brokers License, he was employed as a Fire Insurance Inspector and Fire Loss Investigator for the New York Fire Insurance Rating Organization in Albany. He later joined Albany Insurers Agency, Inc. as a sales representative subsequently becoming President and Board Chairman.

Walter was also President of the General Mutual Insurance Agency; President and Chairman of the Board of Westmere Realty Corp., Treasurer and later Vice President of the Albany County Insurance Agents Association; Vice President of Barbetta-Milbank Insurance Agency; a partner of Milbar Leasing, Inc. and owner of Milco Construction.

Walter was a former member of the Carman Fire Department, White Eagle Emergency Squad and the Westmere Fire Department where he served as Vice President. After retiring he worked as an in-car instructor for Bell's Auto Driving School as well as a Defensive Driving Instructor.

Walter enjoyed woodworking and was an avid genealogist having 41 grandparents that lived in the Albany area prior to 1664.

He was very proud of his family history and his ancestors that carried the names of Bradt, Van Der Zee, Coeymans, Hotaling, Bronck, Slingerland, Lansing, Van Schack, Mabee, Ver Planck, Thurston, Van Vechten, and Gansevort, to name a few.

Walter was President of the Milbank Family Society, Past President of the Bradt Family Society, Former Treasurer, Registrar and Board Member in The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany. He was also a member of several patriotic organizations including Sons of the American Revolution, having had four grandfathers that fought in the Revolutionary War.

Walter was predeceased by his two sisters. Mary Jenny Mudge (L. Clyde) and Winifred Grace Roat-Martin (William) Brothers-in-law L. Clyde Mudge, Sr., and George H. Roat. and a nephew, William C. Roat. He is survived by his soul mate and companion of 37 years, Rosemarie Cramer of Halfmoon, his daughter, Kara Lynne Coston and grandson, Myles Anderson Coston of McKinney, TX, step-daughter, Myrle Stacey Barhydt-Dukette (Michael), of Westbrook, ME., Nephew, Lauren Clyde Mudge, Jr. (Charlotte), grand niece, Erica Lynne Mudge-Jordon (Josh) of Latrobe, PA, and several distant cousins.

Funeral services will be Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 10:00 am at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie, NY. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Funeral Home. Burial to follow with full military honors at The Gerald B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY.