Albert C. Sheldon

Salem, NY - Albert C. Sheldon, life-long farmer, sportsman and direct descendent of William the Conqueror, left “this crazy world” in the comfort of his home on Wednesday evening,
September 10, 2025 at the age of 75. Born in Rutland, VT on the 17th of August 1950, he was the only son and child of Albert A. Sheldon and Janet (Cramton) Sheldon, both successful hard working farmers from East Hebron, NY and Castleton, VT.  A 1968 graduate from Salem Washington Academy, Albert was a member and lifelong supporter of the Future Farmers of America, now the National FFA Organization. As a member, he served as FFA President and received multiple awards including but not limited to Star Farmer and Empire Farmer. He went on to attended SUNY Cobleskill. Overall, Albert believed he received the best agricultural education through first hand experience, support, and guidance from his father, who “always had a lesson,” and uncles (Hap and Steve Sheldon). In 1971, Albert named Woody Hill Farms when he and his cousin Sheldon Brown founded the Woody Hill partnership. Soon to be a family affair, cousins Dan and Jim joined them shortly thereafter. The farm later moved from Woody Hill to it’s current location on Route 22. In 1974, they built a new free-stall barn and rotary milking parlor, the first not only in Washington County but also in the United States. Over the years, many friendships grew through business contacts and mutual respect.
The late eighties brought many changes including single parenthood for his only child, Clark, and his option to revive the well known potato business, fit his lifestyle and his interests. Albert
took the helm of Sheldon Brothers’ Potato Farm following the death of his father in 1991. As winter would begin to give way to spring, he and his uncle, Steve, spent many years boiling
sap for maple syrup. Albert would say, “why wouldn’t you put maple syrup in your coffee?” While plowing and preparing for Spring planting, he could regularly be found searching the
freshly tilled fields for artifacts. From rocks and fire-crack stone to flint arrowheads, Albert had an extensive passion for local history.
Through the years, his employees’ input and happiness fostered business growth. Albert’s pride manifested through the high quality produce, which led to many new customers with
many more needs. He always enjoyed choosing varieties of potatoes, sweet corn, pumpkins, peppers, and many other vegetables. Time spent with supply people always produced respect,
friendships, and loyalty. Sheldon Farms shipped potatoes from New York to Idaho with distributors like Black River and Hannaford throughout New England. His vegetables were featured by Hattie’s Kitchen in Fried Chicken - Throwdown with Bobbie Flay on the Food Network. As led by many local friends for retail needs, Sheldon Farms opened a farm stand. Generations of local teens gained life skills and experience working at the farm and farm stand.
To Albert, employing teenage workers was deeply rewarding and led to good friendships that remained throughout his life. A generous man, Albert was highly involved in both the local and farming communities. He worked with the Cornell Extension to develop the Salem Potato, released in 1994 as NY-84. His Adirondack Red, Adirondack Blue, and Sheldon Superior White Potatoes were featured in New York Farm Day 2006 with special recognition and thanks from then Senator Hillary Clinton. A Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad featuring his potatoes was served at the White House Gala.
He served on the Salem Town Planning Board as well as on the Glens Falls National Bank (currently Arrow) Regional Board from 2006-2019. He was instrumental in facilitating the
development of the Hudson Headwaters Salem Health Center on Route 22, which opened this year. Living on diverse acreage, Albert developed a wonderful and happy passion for fishing and
hunting. In addition to turkey and pheasant, Albert grew up on Ruffed grouse and lamented their near extinction in the area. A life long member of Ducks Unlimited, he thoroughly enjoyed
both the ducks and duck hunting. He would set small trap lines and flushed upwards of 500-600 ducks. He was highly skilled at calling waterfowl and expertly placing decoys. His trophies included 12 bands composed of 5 geese and 7 mallards. From fly fishing on the local Battenkill to the Bahamas and Belize, his depth of wildlife knowledge shined through his dedication to the sport. He reeled in an assortment of species such as: Striped Bass on Cape Cod, Permit and Bonefish in Belize, Snook in the Florida Keys, Lake trout on Lake Champlain, Terpin in the Bahamas, Landlocked salmon and Brown trout on Lake Ontario, and Brook trout in the Adirondacks. In his spare time, he perfectly enjoyed fishing his home waters of Washington County. His skills were focused on understanding the intricacies of the their broader habitat. To him, both hunting and fishing were as much a study of the animals themselves as it was a study of the land, water, and climate where they lived. As a lifetime member of the Arctic Circle Club, Albert believed “Nature is amazing, no matter what season,” and is glad to have shared it with others.
He is survived by his only child, Clark; his beloved childhood friend and later significant partner through his struggles with Parkinson’s, Margaret; his former business partner Sheldon (Julie)
Brown; numerous second and third cousins; and generations of then teenagers who worked at the Sheldon Farms Farm Stand.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Penny Hemple, an Angel on Earth; Travis, Austin, Holden and Andy Keys for their physical, mental and smart-aleck support throughout
the past several years; Margaret’s children - Mac (Faye), Stephen (Leslie), Margaret (Donnie), Annalese (Mark) and Morgan (Kyle) for all of their moral support; Dr. Barney Rubenstein for his
longtime support and care, the Hudson Headwater Salem Health Center Team and their CEO Dr. Tucker Slingerland, The Community Hospice, and multiple friends - Frank, Jim and Laurie,
Aaron, Dale, Mike, Al, Gary, and all the West Rupert extended family.
In hopes of helping others living with Parkinson’s, Albert donated his brain to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center.

Visiting hours will be on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 1-4 pm
at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865 and Salem Fire Department, SVFDBA, P.O. Box 449, Salem, NY 12865. Or perhaps, “just plant some potatoes.”

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