Stephen Ladin

Stephen Ladin
April 16, 1948 – September 11, 2021

Kingston – Stephen D. Ladin, 73, passed away at his home from a long illness surrounded by loving family and friends. Steve led a very colorful, interesting and multi-faceted life. He was a unique person who lived his life on his own terms and making no excuses.

Throughout his life he was able to find ways to harness his incredible creativity in a multitude of directions. He was an artist, a writer, a canoe builder, lover of the environment and nature, composter, hiker, biker, golfer, skier, dog lover and innovator. He enriched the cultural life in the Hudson Valley with his many activities and projects.

Steve grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. where he graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, went on to CCNY where he received a BA in Fine Arts and Architecture, and then to SUNY New Paltz where he earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.

Always a free spirit, after graduation he took some time to explore the world by backpacking to distant and remote places.  When he returned from his travels he started his career as an artist, first working with clay and then creating interesting porcelain pieces called Ladin Ware. His unique teapots and tin can cups were sought after and collected. In the 70’s and 80’s they could be found in Saks Fifth Avenue and Henri Bendel’s as well as on the stage in Les miserable productions, and in museums, galleries, and private collections. He also experimented with many glazes and worked as the Artist in Residence at the Barn Museum at Mohonk Mountain House for over 40 years.

During this time he also started painting using egg tempera and his unusual clay pieces and paintings were shown in local galleries. He gave art classes and pottery demonstrations to elementary and college students. He applied for and received grants for various art installations and projects. Through his business Artstream he was able to use innovative ways to ship, display, and install art. Some of the many projects which enabled him to use his talents were designing and helping to install the Skyflags that were flown over the Walkill Valley RR bridge and the Rosendale RR Bridge to announce art festivals in Kingston and Poughkeepsie, and designing and installing a floating art gallery with hanging walls at the Armory in Poughkeepsie.  He was also the co-author of Ulster County Railroads and Administrator of the Kingston Trolley Museum.

Perhaps his greatest love was the small business he started, taking in and walking dogs for lucky clients. It was called Jovial Jaunts with Jonesy. Jonesy was a dog he adopted from a kill shelter down south who became his best friend and sidekick. When Steve ran for Mayor of Kingston on the Red Dog Party, Jonesy carried the campaign materials on his back as they went through town talking to and getting to know the residents of Kingston. On most nice days Steve could be seen with Jonesy and 3-4 dogs walking around Kingston Point Park.

Steve leaves a loving sister, Shelley Ladin Leibowitz, brother-in-law Mitch Leibowitz, nephews Josh and Mark Leibowitz, great nephews Zachary and Brody Leibowitz, a Great niece Alexis Leibowitz, and many loving long-time friends.

May his spirit live on in our memories of him and in our hearts. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Cremation arrangements were under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc., 27 Smith Avenue.   www.jvleahyfh.com  A private celebration of his life will be held 2 PM on Sunday, September 26, 2021.  To access the live stream of Stephen’s service, go to his obituary on the Leahy Funeral Home website and follow the instructions.

For more information about the life and times of Steve Ladin, please visit MyDigitalLegacy.Wordpress.com The family requests that any donation in his memory go to the Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston or Hudson Valley Hospice.

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