Saratoga Springs – John Metcalfe Bickelhaupt, of Morgan St., died Saturday (Feb. 23, 2008) at Saratoga Hospital. He was 80.

Born on April 7, 1927 in Syracuse, NY, he was a son of the late Lynn and Susan (Metcalfe) Bickelhaupt and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1945. He continued his education at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating as Senior Class President and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon in 1951. As a US Army Air Corps pilot, he flew numerous flights in the Pacific Theatre.

In June 1951, he married the former Nancy Kathryn Beane. He joined his father’s insurance agency, Van Voast & Leonard, where he worked for more than forty years. John was a past president of the Saratoga Springs Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club and president of the Saratoga County Boy Scout Council. He was an active member of Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161, an avid skier and golfer as well as a life-long stamp collector.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by two sons, Robert Lynn and Peter John Bickelhaupt.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nancy; two sons, Thomas and Stephen and his wife, Patricia Bickelhaupt, all of Saratoga Springs; one sister, Barbara and her husband, John Carter of Tucson, AZ; one brother, David and his wife, Lee Bickelhaupt of Columbus, OH; brothers-in-law, S. Robert Beane and his wife, Rosa of Portsmouth, NH and John Larson of Barnard, VT and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday (Feb. 28, 2008) at Bethesda Episcopal Church, corner of Washington Street at Broadway. The Rev. Thomas T. Parke, rector, officiated. Burial with military honors followed at the family plot in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave. There were no calling hours.

Arrangements were under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373).

Memorials may be made in his name to the Saratoga Care Foundation, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.