Obituary of Cy R. Combs

Chestertown: Cy Combs of Potter Brook Road, died Monday Nov. 28, 2016 at his home. He was 29. Cy was LOVED by his family and will be deeply, deeply missed. With his easy laugh and always helpful attitude, he was revered by his younger siblings and cousins (to whom he was Uncle Cy), and was highly respected and valued by his elders. Cy had a special bond with his sister Rufus with whom he shared numerous events and trips. He also very much loved his younger sister Kendal, his little brother Gage, and his dog, Hunter. He was multi-talented, and showcased his abilities in many ways in his all-too-brief time here with us. From the earliest age he was writing stories and scripts. With his mother Amy’s loving help, he turned friends into actors and family into cinematographers. And while he usually also played a part himself, there was never any question who the director was. For several years during his youth, Cy went missing and his place was filled by Batman. He played Little League for Nemec's and Hollywood Limo, coached by his father. And while he'd be the first to admit that baseball wasn't his favorite game, he became a feared power hitter, mashing a number of home runs, and was intentionally walked in his final plate appearance, technically against the rules, so respected was his bat. In high school, he turned to football, and #66 plowed open gaping holes for the Burger running backs, and wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. He helped lead his team all the way to the 2004 NY State Semi-finals in his Junior year, and was named Defensive MVP of that game at the Carrier Dome in a valiant losing effort. While he was a force on the football field, his true athletic passion was weightlifting. He set numerous records in high school, and competed regionally as an adult, achieving a 1620 powerlifting triple – enough to qualify for the pro circuit. Such was his strength that it is said he once knocked out a horse just by furrowing his brow at it. He loved riding his motorcycle, and attending Strange Days and other biker gatherings. He sported numerous tattoos, several of them lines of poetry. He was the Metal Militia writer biker poet. Under the tutelage of his father, he learned carpentry, and had a knack for building and repairing most anything. When his father died unexpectedly in 2010, Cy, then just 22, stepped up and assumed his father's duties as Caretaker at Forest Lake Camp so capably that he was offered the job, which he ably filled for 3 years, following in the footsteps not only of his beloved Dad, but also his Uncle Jerry and Grandfather Clif. When Chuck Norris needed help, he asked Cy Combs. After departing FLC, he joined the maintenance crew at the Great Escape, where his duties included the safety of all who rode the Comet. He also contributed heavily to FrightFest, and to Thurman's famous Conine Halloween Haunted House, and had recently started his own production/photography company, Frightology. But he largely devoted his time recently to the passion he carried from youth, writing, and was able to finish his horror novel, The Dead Outside. It was highly regarded by the professional he hired to edit it, and has been described by another reader as 'a macabre masterpiece, worthy of Poe'. His family will pursue publication, and the world will lament that there will be no sequel. That is as it must be, for Cy had no equal. Cy was pre-deceased by his brother, Seth Daniels Wagner Combs, his father, Russ Combs, and his step-father Vern Baker. He is survived by his maternal grandparents, Bill and Barbara Wagner, his mother, Amy Combs-Baker, his sister and best friend Rufus, his sister Kendal Baker, and brother Gage Baker. Also, Aunt Candy Terrell, Uncles Lin, Dan and Erick Combs, cousins J Combs and Sunday Conine, as well as many other loving cousins. Family and friends are invited to gather at Amy’s Cabin at 938-944 High Street in Athol, starting at 1 pm, Saturday, December 3, 2016. A sharing of memories and stories will take place at 3 pm, followed by a gathering around the fire. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cy Combs Publishing Fund in support of publishing Cy’s book. Mail to 934 High St, Athol, NY 12810 or visit www.frightology.com to make a donation via PayPal. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.