John Croos
John Crooks, the always smiling mail clerk who greeted customers at Skidmore’s Post Office for more than three decades, died Saturday, July 2, 2022, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 81.
John joined Skidmore in 1968. He was promoted to lead mail clerk in 1998 and served in that role until his retirement in 1998.
“Customers often said it a joy to be greeted by John at the Post Office window: He was always chipper, happy, and easygoing with a great sense of humor,” said Post Office Clerk Tom Bayer, who was also John’s nephew. “He was very devout, a constant giver, who wanted to help whenever and however he could. I’m very fortunate that I could work side by side with him.”
Born on April 8, 1941, John grew up in Saratoga Springs. In 1961, he married Sandra Zielinski, who survives him.
John is also survived by the couple’s five daughters and their families: Jackie Hasbrouck (Gary), Darlene Robens, Christine MacIntosh (Darren), Kimberlee Cava (Alex), and Karen Kholstinin (Alan); grandchildren Lauren Perry (Michael), Danielle Robens (Joe), Robert Robens, Aron Courville (Beth), Brandon MacIntosh (Amber), Alexa Loprino (John), Cassandra Helenek, Corina King (Zak), Christian (April) MacIntosh, and Maksim Kholstinin; and eight great-grandchildren. His brother James Crooks (Butch), sisters Merry Swain and Elizabeth Zielinski, and many nieces and nephews, including Tom Bayer, also survive him.
He was buried at the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.