The Kingston community is mourning the loss of Daniel Potter, a lifelong resident and prominent figure in the region’s ski and sporting industry. According to a recent obituary, Potter, 78, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, surrounded by family and close friends.
A graduate of Kingston High School’s Class of 1964 and a Port Ewen native, Potter dedicated nearly six decades of his life to the family business, Potter Bros. Sporting Goods. He took on a leadership role at the well-known establishment, which was originally located on Fair Street, helping it expand into multiple stores across New York and beyond. In the obituary, he is described as having been “considered a ski industry icon,” an individual who built relationships with customers, employees, and industry professionals that he cherished over the years.
Potter’s influence extended well beyond the ski shops. The obituary notes that he “was an active member of the YMCA,” where he earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, and that he was a longtime member of the Wiltwyck Golf Club. Community members say he practiced a quiet generosity and formed lasting bonds within a wide circle of friends, from fellow golfers and travel companions to his “beloved YMCA family.” The obituary emphasizes that “it was the relationships he forged” that truly defined his legacy.
Family was at the center of Potter’s life, and he is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cheryl, as well as his children and grandchildren. “Dan’s greatest memories was spending time” with them, the obituary states. He is also remembered for his willingness to lend support wherever it was needed, giving back to his community and helping preserve the institutions that brought people together.
Calling hours are scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service on Albany Avenue. A service will follow that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to organizations meaningful to Potter, including the YMCA Dan Potter Scholarship Fund and the Spring Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
A full tribute, where friends and acquaintances can share their memories, is available online at Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service’s website.
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