Mort Backus

Mort Backus    November 29, 1923   August 8, 2011

My parents owned and operated a dairy farm between Ogdensburg and Canton from 1941 until they reached a retirement age.  At that time my brother Fred bought the home place and operated it until his death a few years ago.  Now his son Leslie is the operator so it remains in the family 70 years later.

For many of those years the farm’s product went to “the milk factory” which officially was the Ogdensburg Creameries of Ogdensburg, New York.  Every morning, seven days a week, a stake rack truck drove into the yard, several 100 pound “station cans” filled with raw milk were loaded by the driver, and then he drove away to the next stop on the route to repeat the process.

Who was that young man that stopped faithfully every day?  Of course, it was none other than a neighbor, a friend, and a hard worker named Mortian “Mort” Backus in his early twenties at the time.  About 1954 my brother Bert bought the truck and route from Mort and continued its operation for a few years.

While Mort was running the milk route, he was simultaneously buying older cars, repairing them, and reselling them from time to time.  When he sold the milk route this became his full-time business which ultimately turned into a new car dealership.

In November 1966 I returned from a three-year tour of military duty overseas.  I needed a car and turned to Mort.  He recommended a 1965 Chevy Bel Air.  I bought it and it remained in the family for many years.  In 1970 I again needed a car.  I turned to Mort and he suggested a 1968 Buick.  I kept it for a long while also.  I also bought a 1985 Plymouth, a 1988 and a 1998 Buick from him over the years.  Every one was a good dependable automobile.

Mort died at age 87 Monday, August 8, 2011.  He will long be remembered as a good and honest man.  He always had a friendly smile and raised a fine family that has descended into grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was a friend, neighbor, and an honest automobile dealer, and it’s difficult to say that about many people.  Thank you Mort for a lifetime of neighborliness.