Claude "Cal" F. Comstock, Jr., 77, of Clinton, passed away, Friday, November 2, 2007 with his wife by his side at his home following a courageous struggle over the past year with a series of illnesses. Claude was born in Utica on July 31, 1930, the son of Claude F. and Ada Mae (Evans) Comstock. He was raised and educated in Utica, graduating from Utica Free Academy. Claude answered the call of his country and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War period from March of 1951 to January of 1953. Claude was extremely honored and proud of his service to his country and was a proud member of the New Hartford American Legion Post # 1376. He left the active duty service in January of 1953 to take over his parents business, Gurley-Comstock Paint Company, but continued to serve in the Air Force reserves until 1958. Claude met his wife, Doris Marie (Granville) Comstock, in Alexandria Bay, NY in 1951 while he was in the Air Force. They had a long distance romance for over a year and a half and then were married on December 5, 1953 in Rochester, NY. They were happily married for nearly 54 years. Claude is survived by his wife, Doris Comstock, Clinton; his daughter, Cynthia Comstock, Marcy, NY; his son and daughter-in-law, Kevin M. and Cynthia L. Comstock, Virginia Beach, VA; his grandson, J.D., Virginia Beach, VA; his mother-in-law, Beulah Granville, Rochester, NY; a sister-in-law and her husband, Colleen and Archie MacMillan, Rochester, NY; a brother-in-law and his wife, Ronald and Barbara Granville, Rochester, NY; as well as by several nieces, nephews, cousins and several friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Claude and Ada Mae Comstock, and his brother, Russell E. Comstock of Ohio, who died in a plane crash in 1972. Throughout his life, Claude owned his own businesses, managed businesses, and worked as a bartender for many local restaurants, including Harts Hill Inn, Orchard Hall, the Utica Curling Club, and the New Hartford American Legion Post # 1376. Even after retiring, he continued to work part-time for the Clinton School District. Claude was a member of the Skenandoah Country Club and a former member of the Utica Jaycees. He was raised in the Presbyterian faith, but attended Catholic churches with his wife and children throughout his life. Claude devoted his life to family and friends. He loved to cook, it was his passion and he loved to share his cooking with his family and friends. Throughout his life, he loved his dogs and cats, his relatives' dogs and cats, and most recently, his grand dogs, Klee, Mia, and Dallas. Claude will be remembered for his gentle kindness, his loyalty and his compassion to family and friends. He had lifelong friends, Patricia Spohn and John Allen for over 70 years. Anyone who met Claude was touched by all of his qualities, including his generous and caring character. He loved sports, music, and the arts, as well as travelling to visit family and friends. He was a loving human being. Claude was a man of honor, courage, and commitment to all who knew and loved him. Claude's funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 11:00 am at the Heintz Funeral Home, 10 East Park Row, Clinton. Interment, with military honors, will take place in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Kirkland immediately thereafter. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home, Tuesday evening, from 4 ? 7 pm. Those wishing may donate to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. in Claude's memory. Claude's family extends a special thanks to his family doctor, Dr. Lowenstein and his staff, Mary Anne, Nancy, and Colleen, and to his neurologist, Dr. Arastu for the care and compassion shown to both Claude and his family while in their care.