NEW SCOTLAND — C.W. ‘Skip’ Lower Jr. was a bon vivant who loved Lake George where he owned several popular businesses over the years.

“He was quiet in some ways and sarcastic in others,” said his sister, Andrea Gleason. “He was a jokester. He loved to laugh and he liked to have a good time.”

He was also a fighter. Mr. Lower was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer seven years ago, his sister said.

He died on Thursday, March 16, 2017, “following a long and courageous battle,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was lovingly surrounded by his family at his home in Vero Beach, Florida at the time of his passing.” He was 68.

Growing up in New Scotland, Mr. Lower was the son of Clyde W. Lower Sr. and Joyce (née O’Pray) Lower. He graduated from Voorheesville’s high school when the building was new, in 1966, and from LeMoyne College in 1970 where he studied economics.

His father owned Lower Novelty Company, which sold jukeboxes, shuffle boards, and bar games. When he was young, Mr. Lower helped with the jukebox business. “He knew everything about music — he knew all the songs and who wrote them — till the day he died,” said his sister.

He played soccer in high school but his passion was for water skiing, his sister said. “Summers, since he was 5 years old, he went up to Lake George with my mom and stepfather,” said Mrs. Gleason. “My mom rented a house on Basin Bay….He was in water-ski shows that he started with his buddies. They did clowning things and pyramids.”

Following college, Mr. Lower began a successful business career that spanned over 40 years, first owning and operating The Cranberry Caboose Gift Shop in Lake George Village and then The Indian Tepee in Bolton Landing until the time of his retirement in 2015.

Mr. Lower was a “snowbird,” his sister said, splitting his time between Bolton Landing on Lake George and Vero Beach in Florida.

“Mr. Lower was an avid golfer, boater, lover of music, and friend to many — whom he cherished immeasurably,” his family wrote. “Nothing was more obvious, however, than Skip’s love for his family, ‘the lake,’ and the love of his life, Cheryl Kenny.”

His family also wrote how much he meant to his many relatives, “all of whom will forever remember his kindness, generosity and sharing of family stories.”

“He had an awful lot of friends,” said his sister.

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C.W. ‘Skip’ Lower Jr. is survived by his soulmate, Cheryl Kenny; his sister, Andrea (née Mohan) Gleason and her husband, Walter; his brother, James Mohan Sr. and his wife, Carol; his nieces, nephews including Michael Gleason, Craig Gleason and his wife, Caroline, Erin Gleason Christner and her husband, Alan, Cathy Mohan Clark and her husband, Wes, Sharon Mohan Sanzari, and James Mohan Jr.; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and one great-great-niece.

A celebration of his life will be held in Lake George in late spring “where the life he embraced will be memorialized,” his family wrote.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Lake George Association at 2392 State Route 9N, Lake George, NY 12845

— Melissa Hale-Spencer