2017
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The Earliest Deaths Of 2017 Are
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Virginia B. White, 88, of Schenectady, died December 21, 2017. Jinny worked briefly for Proctor & Gamble before settling on a career as a Kindergarten teacher at Craig School in Niskayuna where she taught for 35 years, retiring in 1991.
Floyd E. Smith, 96, passed on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Floyd was born in 1921 in Heath, Massachusetts. Floyd was a Dairy Farmer in Berlin, NY and then a Bus Driver for the Berlin Central School District.
James M. "Jim" Ryan, 73, of Ballston Lake, passed away on December 31, 2017. Jim received his bachelor's degree in education from Plattsburgh State and taught at Plattsburgh Middle School.
Theodore "Ted" J. Turone, 90, of Clifton Park, passed away December 29, 2017. He graduated early, at the age of 17 from North Tonawanda High School to enlist in the U.S. Navy in World War II. His taught in Cleveland, Ohio, Niagara Falls City Schools, and in Putnam Valley, N.Y.
Gail Kort, 75, of Niskayuna, died on Tuesday, December 26, 2017. Gail was a member of the Schenectady Oakroom Artists for many years, and exhibited her work in their shows. She also worked as a substitute teacher in Niskayuna.
Phoebe Dare Anderson McCarthy,70, of Lincoln, Mass., died December 13, 2017. She pursued a career in the Massachusetts public schools, as a system-wide teacher of music in Concord and Melrose, where she later taught fourth-grade.
Adrienne Louise Grifferty, 81, passed away on December 28, 2017, in Atlanta, GA. Adrienne graduated from Fordham University and taught elementary school at Cambridge Central School for 33 years.
Diane Wentworth Boyne Howell, 83, of Niskayuna, NY, died on December 25, 2017. Upon graduation from Russell Sage she began a short career as a teacher for the Albany Public School system before starting her family.
Alfred L. Temple Sr., 74, of Niskayuna passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Born in Albany, he served as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force. He was the coordinator of transportation for the Albany City School District. He volunteered at the Niskayuna School District on the Special Education Committee.
Mary Jane Hale, passed away on her 87th birthday, Sunday, December 24, 2017. Mary Jane started her career working at General Electric. She later worked as a senior account clerk for the Ballston Spa Central Schools for many years, retiring in 1992.
Mary Ann (Hart) McNeil, 86, of Delmar, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017. Mrs. McNeil taught in several Albany City public elementary schools throughout Albany and for 28 years at School #16 which she considered her home.
Ruth B. Hankinson, 91, formerly of Delanson, passed away December 17, 2017. Prior to her marriage, Ruth worked at GE. Later she was employed at the Duanesburg Schools in accounting. She retired in the mid 1980s.
Jean Arlene Miller, 95, of Castleton, died December 16, 2017. In 1945, Jean started a 35 year career as a kindergarten teacher for the East Greenbush Central School District at Red Mill School.
Thomas A. Colton, 72, of Waterford, died Friday, December 15, 2017. Tom retired from the Tarrytown Public Schools, where he taught Latin and English. He enjoyed Star Trek and was a loyal NY Mets fan.
Karen B. Tongue, 71, of Scotia, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017. She graduated from Albany Business College in 1966 and had a 40 year secretarial career, ending with 22 years at Lincoln Elementary School in Scotia, NY.
Marjorie Harland Harrington, 91, of Clifton Park, died Friday, December 15, 2017. She had taught in the South Glens Falls, Queensbury, and for 17 years, in the Shenendehowa School systems, where she taught mathematics at Gowana Middle School.
Eleanor S. Currie, 88, of Norwich and formerly of Mohawk, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017. She was a 1948 graduate of Mohawk Schools and was valedictorian of her class. Eleanor worked, as a secretary, in the Mohawk Central School; first in the business office and retiring after thirty years as the superintendent's secretary.
Robert E. VanSteinburg, 90, of Ilion, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2017. Bob worked as an art teacher for Mohawk Central School for 30 years, retiring in 1989. He was also well known in the area as a commercial artist and illustrator and nationally as a greeting card illustrator.
Elizabeth "Jean" Serritella, 91, of Colonie, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Jean worked for the Albany Visiting Nurses Association and as a school nurse teacher at Vincentian Institute and Arbor Hill Elementary Schools in Albany.
Francis C. Adams, 94, of Rotterdam passed away on Saturday December 9, 2017. Born in Fulton, NY, he served his country in the Army in World War II. Francis was employed as the Head Custodian for the Mohonasen School District for 26 years, retiring in 1985.
On Tuesday morning, December 12, 2017, driver Donnie Hendricks, 74, and a student, 16, died in a school bus fire in rural Pottawattamie County, Iowa. About 730 students attend schools in the Riverside school district, which serves Oakland, Carson and Macedonia, Iowa.
Emma Bunzey Stevens, 105, of Knox, died on Sunday, December 10, 2017. She worked for the family business, Raymond L. Stevens Trucking for 43 years as the bookkeeper. She was the attendance supervisor at Berne-Knox Central School for 15 years.
Marian R. O'Brien, 93, of Albany passed away December 5, 2017. Marian graduated from Ravena High School and after many years of service, she retired from the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District in 1986.
John M. "Jack" Bird, 85, of Ithaca, passed away on April 27, 2017. Jack served in the US Army as a member of the Counter Intelligence Corps. He was Professor of Geology at SUNY Albany and Cornell University for 45 years before retiring in 2003.
Charles "Chuck" Abba, 91, formerly of Schenectady, died Friday, May 12, 2017 in Largo, Florida. Abba was Schenectady Superintendent of Schools from 1971 to 1981. He spent his entire student and working career in Schenectady, except for a stint in the Army after World War II.
Gertrude "Trudie" Wolkenbreit of Amherst Mass., formerly a resident of Albany and Delray Beach, Fla., passed away December 10, 2017. She taught history at the Albany High School for many years.
George R. Backhaus Jr., 70, of Poestenkill, died Monday, December 4, 2017. George was a biology teacher at Tamarac High School for 32 years, retiring in 2001.
Antoinette Miceli Volpicelli, 73, of Schenectady passed away December 6, 2017. She concluded her career working for Capital Region BOCES where she retired from the Business Office after 18 years.
Elsa Gerst deBeer, 88, of Slingerlands, died on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Elsa loved working with children and later became a Jump Start reading tutor with first graders in Glenmont and Slingerlands Elementary Schools.
Cora L. Mullins, 79, of Albany, passed away Sunday, December 3, 2017. Cora was employed with the Albany City School District as a bus monitor, until she became ill and retired.
Charles M. Gaffney, 99, formerly of Cobleskill, died December 1, 2017, in Bradenton, FL He was employed as a teacher of agriculture and vice principal at the Gilboa-Conesville Central School from 1941-1944. He entered the US Army in 1944 and was discharged in October 1946, and became employed at SUNY Cobleskill. In 1961, he became Executive Vice President, serving as Acting President for approximately two years, retiring in 1982.
Thomas A. Schottman, 93, of Burnt Hills, died November 28, 2017. In 1959, he became curriculum coordinator at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake elementary schools and in 1971, principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Scotia.
Sylvia E. Mallery, 83, of Cobleskill, died Saturday, December 2, 2017. Born March 10, 1934 in Albany, she retired from SUNY Cobleskill after thirty plus years as a Professor.
Sonia Stepanian Hachigian, 86, formerly of Niskayuna, passed away in Schenectady, on December 3, 2017. She was employed by the former Draper High School, in Rotterdam, as a business teacher from 1953 to 1986.
Evelyn Ruth Brayton, age 84, formerly of Clifton Park, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2017, in Cohoes. Born on August 28, 1933, in Poland, N.Y., she was an esteemed professor at SUNY Plattsburgh and had been a School Nurse Teacher at Madison Central School.
Linda R. Smith Vanderwall, 74, of Clifton Park and Dunedin, Fla., passed away Sunday, December 3, 2017. Over her 31 years of teaching, Linda taught at Jamesville Dewitt, Whitesboro, Liverpool, Susquehanna and The Hebrew Academy of the Capital District.
Loren Wesley DeVoe, 87, of Delmar passed away on Monday, December 4, 2017. He owned PB's Deli in Slingerlands and worked for the Bethlehem School District until his retirement to Largo, Fla.
Josephine Giuseppina Cuccaro Maresca, 97, of Schenectady, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2017. She was employed with Abelove Linen Supply and the Schenectady City School District.
Marie (Gutta) Franke, of Albany, passed away Friday, December 1, 2017. Born in Albany, she was a music teacher for 15 years with the Albany Public Schools and a second grade teacher at School of Humanities for 17 years.
Debra A. (Dagner) Rooney, 59, of Glenmont, died Friday, December 1, 2017. Debra had worked for 20 years in the Bethlehem Central School District, most recently at Eagle Elementary School, until retiring in 2015.
Joan L. Briggs Ashton, 79, of Slingerlands, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2017. Joan was known as "Miss Joan" when she hosted the regional broadcast of "Romper Room" out of Syracuse from 1965-1969, before becoming a fourth through sixth grade teacher in the Syracuse, Greenwich, Conn., and New York City school systems.
Marilyn R. Weber, 89, of Hadley, MA, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017. Born in Schenectady, NY in 1928, she was employed by the Niskayuna, NY school district.
Bonita "Bonnie" Sajler, 74, of Clifton Park passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Bonnie spent 25 years working for the Shenendehowa School District, last working as the secretary to the principal at Chango.
On Monday, November 27, 2017, Edward Hardt Jr. of Colonie passed from this world with dignity and peace. He was a long-time teacher at the Rensselaer Junior-Senior High School.
Elizabeth "Betty" Barto Freund, 78, passed away Friday, November 24, 2017. Betty was employed by the Shenendehowa School District as a bus driver for more than 25 years, until her retirement.
Bernard Lupi, Sr., 69, of Schenectady, died Monday, November 20, 2017. Bernie honorably served his country in the US Marines and worked as a maintenance custodian for SCCC, retiring in 2000 after 30 years of devoted service.
Jeanne L. Petropol, 75, of Averill Park, died on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Jeanne worked for Hudson Valley Community College. She retired in 2010, after 25 years, as a program assistant.
Pauline Kondrat, of Cohoes, passed away Friday, November 17, 2017. She was employed as an admistrative assistant to the vice president for graduate studies at SUNY Albany.
Norma Waldron Flora, 98, of Schenectady, passed away November 16, 2017. Norma taught as an elementary school teacher in the Bethlehem School District for two years before becoming a devoted wife and mother.
Gertrude (Trude) Marois, of Cohoes, entered into eternal rest on November 19, 2017. Trude first taught high school in Mechanicville. Following the birth of her four children, she taught at St. Augustine’s school fourth grade and St. Agnes middle school in Cohoes.
Ruth C. Udwary, 92, of Glass Lake, died Thursday November 16, 2017. Ruth worked for the Averill Park School District, first as the Secretary to the Principal at the Miller Hill School and then at the District Offices where she was the District Account Clerk, retiring after 25 years.
Helen Garrett Dejnozka, 97, of Niskayuna, NY, passed away November 15, 2017. Helen had a long career as a school string music teacher, culminating in 28 years in the Niskayuna Central School District, retiring in 1985.
Jean B. Halloran, 89, of Latham, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2017. Jean was a dedicated teacher's aide for 25 years with the Cohoes School District, in Cohoes.
Richard T. "Rick" Randall, 80, of Castleton, died Monday, November 20, 2017. For over 50 years, Rick was a teacher at Columbia High School in the East Greenbush Central School District, developed the Blue Devils lacrosse program in 1981 and served as head coach for 15 years..
Barbara J. Lasher, 69, of Rensselaer died on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Barbara worked her family's farm and raised her family; she then went on to be a teachers aid for the East Greenbush Central Schools.
Harriet T. Gumport, 97, longtime resident of Greenville, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2017. She taught elementary grades in Newcomb Central School in the Adirondacks, Schoharie Central School, and retired from Greenville Central School.
Leslie Anne (Goff) Hosley, 87, of Castleton, died Sunday, November 19, 2017. After 30 years of service, she retired from the East Greenbush Central School District in 1995.
Margaret A. "Peggy" (Montone) Melanson, 72, of Glenville, passed away on November 16, 2017. Peggy taught in the South Colonie school system in Veeder Elementary School and Lisha Kill Middle School for a total of 29 years, retiring in June of 2000.
Dianne Grant Freeman, 85, of Albany, passed away on November 10, 2017. She graduated from SUNY Oneonta and taught elementary grades prior to having children.
Frank Liburdi, 56, of Watervliet, passed away Saturday, November 11, 2017. He was employed at Shaker High School in Latham as a Custodian for 36 years.
Dorothy Crego Sanford of New Lebanon, died November 14, 2017, at the age of 101. Dorothy was an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years in Rock City Falls and New Lebanon. She retired from teaching at New Lebanon Central School in 1976.
Robert Ryan Quinn, 84, of Ormond Beach, FL, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2017. Robert was employed by the Utica school system as teacher, counselor, and administrator for 14 years. He was also a high school principal at Stillwater, for 19 years.
Christine "Chris" Stoker Porter, 54, of Delmar, died November 12, 2017. Chris had a twenty-year career teaching fifth grade at Glenmont and Eagle Elementary in the Bethlehem School District.
Gladys Muriel Lundgren, 85, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away on November 8, 2017. She worked as a secretary for the coordinator of department heads at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, NY.
Donald C. Schmalberger, 91, of Albany, passed away Monday, November 13, 2017. Donald was a U.S. Army Korean veteran. He went on to teach at UAlbany, University of Rochester, and retired as a Professor from The Albany Academy, Albany.
Marvin Tonkin, 90, of East Greenbush, died Wednesday, November 15, 2017. He was a Navy chief petty officer for many years, retiring in 1984. He had also been employed as a school monitor for Columbia High School for 12 years.
Alexander O. Garceau Jr., 70, of Troy, died Wednesday, November 1, 2017. After school, Alex joined the U.S. Air Force and served a tour of duty in South Vietnam. He worked for the Watervliet Arsenal, Vanderhyden Hall and the North Colonie School District.
William "Bill" Schwarting, 90, formerly of Scotia, passed away November 11, 2017. Bill grew up in Williamsville, NY, where he completed high school and enlisted in the Army. In 1950 he moved to Scotia NY, where he accepted a Social Studies teaching position in the Scotia-Glenville School District, retiring in 1984.
Carolyn Jean Snapp, 71, of Burnt Hills, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017. Carolyn taught at Red Mill School in East Greenbush before beginning a long career in the Waterford-Halfmoon School District.
Darlene A. (Gelfuso) Buttimer, 55, of Clifton Park, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2017. Born in Utica, Darlene served as a secretary in the counseling office at Shenendehowa Central School District.
Patricia A. Zimmerman Smith, 73, of Guilderland, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2017. She was employed at the former Dixon's Beauty Shop in Guilderland, and then by the University at Albany.
Geraldine “Gerry” Freund of Clifton Park passed away on November 6, 2017 at the age of 95. After raising her children in Colonia, NJ, Gerry earned her teaching degree and taught elementary school for twenty years.
John R. Haines, 88, of Delmar and East Orleans, Mass., died on November 1, 2017. Following his undergraduate years, John joined the U.S. Army to serve his country during the Korean War. John was a science teacher and coach at Randolph High School in Vermont.
Elamona “Mona” Evenden passed away on November 5, 2017 at the age of 94. She taught reading at Jefferson Elementary School for the Schalmont School District until her retirement.
Roy Austin Paine passed away at the age of 90 on November 8, 2017. Roy went into the Army in 1945 and served through 1946. Following his military service, Roy went on to teach Sciences at Jaffrey High school in New Hampshire, Boothbay Region High School in Maine, and West Springfield High School in Massachusetts, serving as Department Chairman from 1961-1964.
Powers "Brad" Bradley of Kinderhook Lake and Millerton, passed away November 6, 2017. He was born on May 24, 1935. He taught and coached at Ichabod Crane Central School and Webutuck Central Schools.
George E. Moglia, 51, of Saratoga Springs, died Wednesday, November 8, 2017. He was presently employed by the North Colonie School District as a technology teacher at Shaker High School and Shaker Junior High School.
Gertrude A. Horl, 69, of Berne, passed away November 7, 2017. She worked at Berne-Knox-Westerlo School in the cafeteria.
Victor L. La Plante, 80, of Medusa, NY passed away Thursday November 9, 2017. He served from 1955 to 1959 in the Navy, attaining the rank of Petty Officer, First Class. He entered the New York State Police in 1962, retiring as a First Sergeant in 1987 and drove school bus for Greenville Central School and Headstart for five years.
Pauline Rose Lupo, 81, formerly of Waterford, Troy and Latham, died Thursday, November 9, 2017. Born and educated in Ireland, she came to this country in 1961 and had a long working career at the Lansingburgh School District and several other employers.
Roland H. Grindrod, 72, of Rotterdam, passed away November 9, 2017. He taught social studies and computer applications at Knox Jr. High School, in Johnstown, NY, from 1968 until his retirement in 2000. During those years, he was active in the Johnstown Teachers’ Association.
Robert Michael Mandarano, 85, passed away Friday, November 10, 2017. He was born in Jamesville, NY. Bob was a dedicated teacher for over 30 years and retired from the Mohonasen School District.
Doris Rosenblum, 82, of Albany, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017. She taught elementary school in N.Y.C. before moving up to Cohoes, and continued teaching in the Albany City School District until her retirement in 1995.
Ellen E. McKnight, 98, of Castleton-on-Hudson, passed away Friday, October 27, 2017. Ellen enlisted in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps and served during World War II. She worked as a registered nurse and retired as the school nurse at Maple Hill High School.
Elizabeth A. DiLorenzo, 96, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017. She worked at ALCO for 28 years until it's closing and then obtained a job at Schenectady County Community College, as secretary to the Dean of Students, retiring in 1986.
Delmer "Del" Runkle Jr., 84, of Cohoes, passed away Sunday morning, October 29, 2017. He served in the Korean War as a member of the 5th Air Force 58 Fighter Bomber Wing. After leaving G.E., he worked for North Colonie School District as a bus driver and as a grounds crew supervisor.
Ronald E. Bartman, 63, of Amsterdam, died Sunday, October 29, 2017. Ron was employed as an Educator with the Greater Amsterdam School District for 32 years. He held various positions with the Amsterdam Teachers Association, including President for 12 years.
Helen M. Brown nee Golden, 94, of Westerlo, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. As a teacher, her career started at Boys High, Woodrow Wilson Vocational School in Brooklyn and continued at Greenville Central High School. She taught seventh and eighth grade history for 20 years, and then moved on to guidance counselor for another 16 years.
Janice Irene Naples Murphy, 73, of Scotia, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2017. Jan was a much-loved “lunch lady” for the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District for 6 years.
Patricia (Simmons) Pacelli, 89, of Glenville, passed away October 27, 2017. In 1967 she moved to Clifton Park and went to work in the library at SUNY/Albany.
George Alexander DeGonzague, 91, of Albany, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2017. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. George served in the Pacific on the USS Emery, Destroyer 28. He worked 30 years at Tobin Packing and then retired from the Albany Schools after 10 years.
Mary "Madeline" (Rice) Bean-Witecki passed away October 10th, 2017 in her winter home in Sarasota, Florida. She retired from Mohonasen Central School District as a bus monitor.
Ronald J. Kelly, 84, of New York City, passed away October 27, 2017 in Guilderland. He worked as an English teacher and served as chairman of the English department (location not given) for over 30 years.
Claire Feldman, 89, formerly of Clifton, N.J., passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017. She taught French and Spanish in New York City for several years before becoming a homemaker.
Robert Eugene Conners, 96, of Albany, formerly of Saratoga Springs, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2017. He proudly served 3½ years in the Army during World War II in Europe with the 36th Texas Division, 142nd Infantry. He opened his barber shop next to the high school in Saratoga Springs which he ran for 18 years. When long hair came into fashion, he became a school bus driver and served Saratoga Springs Schools for 16 years.
Herbert H. Insley, 90, of Colonie, died Wednesday, October 25, 2017. He was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy. Herbert began his teaching career in 1954 at Colonie Central High School and retired in 1983. He was active in the teacher's association and also served as president and on the negotiating team. At the age of 58, he took up cycling and rode across the country five times.
Barbara (Sheffer) Brook, 87, of Slingerlands, died Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Barbara was raised in New York City and was a long-time resident of Plainview, NY. Barbara had a long career as a school librarian for the Half Hollow Hills School District on Long Island.
Kitty L. Kelly, 62, of Niskayuna, passed away Friday, October 20, 2017. Kitty started her career at Saratoga Warren County BOCES and, after a period as a stay-at-home mom, Kitty returned to work as a speech therapist at Birchwood Elementary in the Niskayuna School District.
Rose M. Gold, 78, of Rotterdam, passed away October 12, 2017. For over 20 years, Rose worked in the Mohonasen School District as a bus driver.
Edward J. McCormick, 74, of Schenectady, passed away Friday, October 20, 2017. He worked as a bus driver and transportation shop steward for the Shenendehowa School District for over 30 years, and was an assistant technology teacher at Shen. He volunteered in the Honor Guard of the Saratoga National Cemetery and retired from the N.Y. Army National Guard in 2004.
Ralph Pillot Jr., 59, of Guilderland, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017. An area resident for the past 16 years, Ralph worked at Bethlehem Central School District in the facilities and maintenance department.
Wayne D. Platzer, born at Albany Medical Center in 1939, died on Saturday, October 14, 2017. He taught biology at Niskayuna High School for 26 years.
Sally Freihofer Stewart, 76, of Wolfeboro, NH, passed away on October 18, 2017. Sally was an elementary school teacher in Belview, Nebraska.
Clara Beninati, 91, a 45 year resident of Charlton, died in South Jordan, Utah on October 17, 2017. Clara started her teaching career in Sharon Springs, NY. She later taught third grade in Valley Cottage, NY. Clara finished her career substituting at Galway elementary school.
Eleanor (Ellie) Cammarata, 83, of Endicott, passed away October 4, 2017. Eleanor worked as the school nurse at T.J. Watson Elementary School, Endicott. She later assumed the position of District-wide School Nurse Teacher for Union Endicott Central Schools, until retiring in 1993.
Eileen A. Donahue O'Brien, 81, of Latham, died Saturday, October 14, 2017. Born in Big Indian, N.Y., she later moved to Latham and worked at Shaker High School as a hall monitor from 1985-2000, before retiring.
Marcia Saperstein, 80, of Albany, died Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Marcia had been a lunch aid for many years at the former School # 26 in Albany, and was known to many as the "cookie lady" as she was instrumental in organizing many bake sales at the school.
Colleen A. Picard, 61, of Red Hook, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Colleen’s career was spent in health care as a registered nurse at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston and as a school nurse at Red Hook Central Schools.
Patricia J. Smith, 87, of Latham passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2017. She worked for the Eddy Home Aide Service for many years and was previously employed as a cafeteria worker at Shaker High School.
Robert D. Hennigan, 92, of Skaneateles, died October 12, 2017. Like many of his generation, Bob spent his late teenage years in the Army on the battlefields of Europe. Bob spent his final twenty-five professional years with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, serving in a number of administrative positions, retiring in 1993 as Chair of the Environmental Studies Faculty.
Marguerite I. Bogue, 94, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Pat worked at General Electric Co. and later as a secretary for Ballston Spa Central Schools.
Marcia A. Ronsani, 67, of Hudson, passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Her career was spent teaching English at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School for several years, and working as a substitute teacher for many schools throughout Columbia County.
Charles S. Moose, 79, of Stillwater, died October 9, 2017. Charlie started his career as a music teacher for Rushville Central School, moved to the Amsterdam BOCES program, and ended his teaching tenure in Schenectady City Schools, moving between several schools within the district.
Lisa Katrin Turpin Soeller, 56, of Clifton Park, died Thursday, October 5, 2017. Lisa was employed as a teacher’s aide in the Shenendehowa School District for 10 years and had also volunteered there for many years.
Teresa K. Salmon, 81, of Glenville, died Sunday, October 8, 2017. She taught seventh grade math at Mohonasen and Schalmont Middle Schools for over 20 years.
Donna L. Martin, 73, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2017. Donna worked for Shenendehowa Schools as a hall monitor, and was an aide for Saratoga Bridges for many years.
Robert Albion Whalen, 86, of Waterford, passed away October 10, 2017. Bob spent two years in the Army where he was assigned to serve in Korea. Bob began his teaching career with his first position at Shaker High School. Bob also served as the principal at Waterford Halfmoon High School, a position that he retained for 20 years until his retirement.
Michael B. Donnelly, of Easton, PA, passed away on October 4, 2017. Mike was the winningest football coach in Muhlenberg College history. He had more than 40 years of coaching experience with stints at SUNY Albany, East Stroudsburg, RPI, Ithaca, Lafayette, SUNY Buffalo and Columbia University.
Patricia M. Jarocki Colongione, 74, of Cohoes died on Monday, October 9, 2017. Pat was senior account clerk for SUNY Albany for 25 years, retiring in 1998. She then worked part time at Hudson Valley Community College, working in various departments for the last 18 years.
Claudia "Polly" Brodsky, 81, of Schenectady and Newport News, passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017. She retired in 2003 as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Poquoson (Virginia) Public Schools after 20 years.
Peter G. Haskell, 60, of South Bethlehem, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017. He was a welding instructor for both the Eastern Correction Facility and Orange-Ulster County BOCES.
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Susan Smith, 53, of Simi Valley, Calif., was the Vista Elementary School office manager.
Lisa Romero-Muniz, 48, of Gallup, N.M., was a counselor at elementary, middle-school and high-school levels for Gallup-McKinley County Schools.
Tara Roe, 34, of Alberta Canada, was an educational assistant at The Foothills School Division in High River, Alberta.
Jennifer Parks, 36, of Lancaster, Calif., was a kindergarten teacher in her third year of teaching at Anaverde Hills Elementary School in Palmdale, Calif.
Kelsey Meadows, 28, of Taft, Calif. was a substitute teacher at Taft Union High School in Taft, California
Sandra Casey, 34, of Redondo Beach, Calif. was a special education teacher for nine years at Manhattan Beach (Calif.) Middle School.
Fred "Pete" Bassler, 83, of Berne, passed away September 30, 2017. He graduated from Berne-Knox Central in 1953, and served in the U.S. Army. In 1967, he became a bus driver for Berne-Knox-Westerlo C.S.D., safely transporting thousands of students over his 31 years of service.
Lisa Romero-Muniz, 48, of Gallup, N.M., was a counselor at elementary, middle-school and high-school levels for Gallup-McKinley County Schools.
Tara Roe, 34, of Alberta Canada, was an educational assistant at The Foothills School Division in High River, Alberta.
Jennifer Parks, 36, of Lancaster, Calif., was a kindergarten teacher in her third year of teaching at Anaverde Hills Elementary School in Palmdale, Calif.
Kelsey Meadows, 28, of Taft, Calif. was a substitute teacher at Taft Union High School in Taft, California
Sandra Casey, 34, of Redondo Beach, Calif. was a special education teacher for nine years at Manhattan Beach (Calif.) Middle School.
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Richard B. Peabody, Jr., 62, of Ballston Lake, NY, passed away October 2, 2017. Richard drove bus for Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District for over 30 years.
Nancy Jane (Gosstyla) Daves, 72, of Delmar, died September 29, 2017. She was a long-time R.N. / school nurse teacher at Bethlehem High School and nurse at Helderberg Workshop.
Timothy Sean Bonk, 58, of Schenectady, passed away on September 27, 2017. Tim proudly served his country in the Air National Guard from 1989 - 2013, serving many years at Stratton 109th Air National Guard Wing as commander of the services unit, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was currently employed as director of facilities for the North Colonie Central School District.
Marcia D. Horne passed away in Schenectady on October 3, 2017. Her life long career as an educator began as the Special Needs Director for the Bedford, MA school system and she quickly transitioned into academia as a professor of Education at a number of institutions.
Donald W. Mabee, 74, of Waterford, died Tuesday, October 3, 2017. He was educated in schools in Goshen. Don had been employed as a custodian at Waterford Halfmoon School for 26 years and retired in 2005.
W. Stearns Caswell Jr., 82, of Delmar, passed away, Friday, September 22, 2017. Stearns taught mathematics at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Albany.
Clarence Langley, Jr., 86, of Schenectady, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Between 1953 and 1955, Clarence proudly served our country in the United States Army. Clarence retired in January 1986 from Scotia-Glenville Central Schools where he taught science in the junior and senior high schools.
Paula M. Maniscalco, RPA, 70, of Colonie, passed away on September 25, 2017. Paula taught and coached at Averill Park High School. She worked at Albany Memorial Hospital for more than 25 years as a surgical physician's assistant. She retired in 2012.
Mary E. Reid, 89, of Saranac Lake, passed away on September 12, 2017. She taught elementary school for nearly two decades in the Town of Bethlehem and was active in AARTA (Albany Area Retired Teachers Association).
Elizabeth "Betsy" Anne VanDeloo, 66, of Guilderland, passed away Monday, September 11, 2017. After raising her children, she began her career as a teaching assistant at Farnsworth Middle School (F.M.S.).
Alice Mae (Byrnes) Mattice, 88, of Selkirk, died Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Born in Albany, she worked as a bus aide in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District for 17 years, retiring in 2010.
Franz Walter Brill, of Canajoharie, passed away on September 21, 2017, at the age of 91. On June 7, of 1944, Franz entered into the U.S. Navy, serving proudly for 27 months during World War II. He began his teaching career at Clarence Central School, followed by Attica Central School, Canajoharie Central School, and West Genesee Central School. He retired from his career as superintendent for Waterford / Halfmoon Union Free School in 1982.
In Memory of Robert P. Bieniek (9/18/52 – 8/6/15) – Formerly of Fort Hunter, NY, on what would have been his 65th birthday week. His obituary was never posted, as requested, when he passed. He began teaching in Catskill, NY at a residential school for children with special needs, and later began teaching overseas, where he had a career as teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator in eight countries, with a few stints in the US.
Gail Willie Ziobrowski Stevenson, 79, of Port Saint Lucie, FL, passed away August 28, 2017. She worked over 30 years for New York State and the Niskayuna School District before retiring.
Jean Farrell Doherty, 88, of Merritt Island FL, formerly of Clifton Park, NY, passed away on Tuesday August 29, 2017. Mrs. Doherty taught for many years in the Troy City School District, finishing her career at School 2.
Margaret Josephine "Peg" (Ward) Button, 72, of Altamont, died Friday, September 15, 2017. Peg retired from the N.Y.S. Dept. of Taxation and Finance, and worked for several years as a teaching assistant for Guilderland High School.
Rachel L. (Whitman) Lauser, 84, of Glenville, passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017. She began her life's work as a teacher in Trumbull, CT and also worked as a substitute teacher in the Pittsfield (MA) School district. She began working at Northeast Parent & Child Society in 1978, where she served in the capacities of elementary school teacher, interim vice principal, middle school teacher, and high school English teacher, retiring in 1997.
David Eames Hall, 84, of Sewall's Point, Florida and Galway, passed on September 16, 2017. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the US Air Force. He taught sixth grade in the Guilderland School District and also taught math and science in the Albany City School District. He served as the principal of Ballston Spa High School and as the principal of Corinth High School.
Michael L. Rogozinski, 54, of Rotterdam, died on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Michael began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Chatham High School. He also taught at Capital Region BOCES and at The School at Northeast Parent & Child.
Marie A. Flavin (Mrs. Lobdell), 79, of Valley Falls, and formerly from Troy, died September 12, 2017. She retired from the Lansingburgh School District after 33 years of faithful service.
Maria Hallenbeck-Brown, 63, of Gloversville, entered into eternal life Saturday, September 9, 2017. Maria taught in Tupper Lake, Gloversville, The Little Rocking Horse Preschool, Kingsborough Elementary School, and Gloversville Middle School, teaching seventh and eighth grade math. In 2012, Maria began hosting “Math-A-Thons” schoolwide in an effort to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, eventually raising $50,000 for the charity.
Beverly A. Cramer, 85, of Loudonville, passed away September 12, 2017. After moving to the Capital District, Beverly worked as an associate professor of nursing at Hudson Valley Community College.
Nancy Bell, 80, of East Greenbush, died September 11, 2017. She was employed as a community education aide in the Continuing Education Office of the East Greenbush Central School District from 1980 to 1984. She was president of the East Greenbush Cooperative Nursery School from 1967 to 1969, one of the early child care groups now known as Greenbush Child Caring.
Eleanor Quigley, 82, of Ballston Lake, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Upon her graduation from college, Eleanor went on to have a distinguished 30 year elementary school teaching career at Shenendehowa Central School District.
Constance L. Jacobson, 51, of Ballston Spa, passed away September 10, 2017. She was a dedicated educator at Helping Hands School and currently, at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School, where she worked as a teacher assistant for special education children.
June Chase Osborn, 93, of Niskayuna, died September 7, 2017. June taught elementary school for nearly 30 years in Niskayuna, Scotia, and Elmira, NY; and then in Deerfield Beach, Margate, and Boca Raton, FL.
Norbert B. Nolte, 96, a longtime resident of Schuylerville, passed away Friday, September 8, 2017. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard. He served with the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve until 1978. Norbert taught history and social studies at Schuylerville Central School for several years. He became the principal of Gilboa Central School and then retired as principal of Schuylerville Central School in 1981.
Margaret "Peggy" E. Girtler-Siver, 51, of Castleton, died Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Peggy worked as a reading teacher for East Greenbush Central Schools for the past 26 years, as well as the BOCES and in the Ichabod Central School District.
Agnes (Serian) Akullian, 92, of Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Loudonville and Lake George, passed away July 23, 2017. In 1967, she became nurse administrator of SUNY Albany's Student Health Center, retiring in 1982.
Jane Frances Sullivan, 87, of Colonie, died September 4, 2017. She was employed as a receptionist for the South Colonie Central Schools. Jane was a very capable lady who always greeted people with a smile. She retired at age 80 and went on to volunteer at Ellis Family Health Center.
Samuel L. Yetto Jr., 78, the self-proclaimed "Mayor of Pittstown Corners" died Sunday morning, September 3, 2017. Most recently he had been employed as a maintenance mechanic at the Brittonkill Central School District in Brunswick. After more than 20 years of service, he retired in 2001.
Frances Mary Burns McCormick Harrison, 85, of East Greenbush, passed away September 6, 2017. She spent 19 years as a teacher of economics and social studies in the Rensselaer school system, and taught adult education.
Norman Farinacci, 81, of Guilderland, died June 10, 2014. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed by SUNY Albany until his retirement. Posted September 6, 2017.
Herbert Bernard Safran, 84, of Chestnut Hill, MA and Clifton Park, NY, passed away Friday, August 31, 2017. He served in the US Army. He taught high school English in Waterford-Halfmoon, NY, and then at Shenendehowa in Clifton Park, NY, where he also was Chair of the English department.
Charles F. Campbell, 46, of Menands, passed away on September 1, 2017. He taught in several local school districts, most recently in the Voorheesville Central School District.
Anne Mary (Heiner) Patt, 82, of Charlton, passed away on August 31, 2017. She taught in the Schalmont School District and later substituted.
John C. Moller Jr. passed away on August 30, 2017. He was born in Schenectady, NY on June 27, 1929. John was retired from the Guilderland High School, where he worked as Head Custodian.
Joseph Anthony Mangano, 95, of Berne, passed away August 24, 2017. Joe served for over two years as a naval pharmacist mate at Pearl Harbor and on the USS Wasp aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Joe taught elementary and high school science in Mahopac, N.Y. for 16 years, becoming head of the science department. He also started diver's education in the state of New York.
Barbara C. Palmer, 74, of Burnt Hills, passed away September 2, 2017. Barbara taught in the Schenectady school system and retired from the Galway school system.
Lois Kirby Brownell, 87, of Loudonville, died on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. In her early years, Lois had taught school in the Niagara Falls School District. Later on, she was a substitute teacher for over 50 years, working in the Shenendehowa, North Colonie, and East Greenbush school districts.
John Belton, 87, of Schenectady, passed away August 27, 2017. John began his teaching career in the Buffalo Public Schools as a vocational education teacher and served at BPS #37 and Woodlawn Junior High School. In 1966, John relocated with his family to the Capital District, where he continued his career in education as a teacher and school administrator.
Seymour "Sy" Faust, 92, of Albany, passed away Saturday, August 26, 2017. Sy served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in the Phillipines during World War II as an electronic technician's mate third class. He retired from the Herricks (New Hyde Park, Long Island, NY) School District after more than 30 years of teaching.
Richard (Dick) Spohr, 87, of Altamont, passed away August 22, 2017. Dick settled in Altamont in 1957 where he was a physical education teacher and coach in the Guilderland Central School District for 33 years, retiring in 1990.
Carol Ann Fedorchak, 79, of Lake View, Ala., passed away on August 21, 2017. She worked as a cafeteria aide for the Lansingburgh school system, until her retirement in 2013 after 32 years of service.
Mia Mouzon, 92, of Saratoga Springs, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017. Upon graduation from college, she moved to Miami, Florida to begin her 30 year teaching career which she finished in Teaneck, New Jersey where she taught second graders at the Beach Street School in Hackensack, NJ.
Leander, Texas - William Edgar Wright Jr. recently celebrated his 85th birthday and passed away August 21, 2017. William retired in 1998 from Bethlehem Central School as a bus driver.
Kathryn Senecca Butcher Hoerl, 60, of Niskayuna, went to her eternal rest on August 22, 2017. Senecca, as she was known to her friends, worked as a middle school teacher, enabling her husband Roger to complete graduate school.
Elyne H. Schulte, 88, of Schenectady, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. She taught mathematics for 28 years at the Duanesburg School District
Kenneth P. Brefka, 88, of Niskayuna, died Saturday, August 19, 2017. Ken was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a school teacher for the South Colonie School District for 33 years, teaching English at Lisha Kill MS, Sand Creek MS, and Roessleville School when it was a K-7 building. He retired in 1989.
Johanna Terker Takaroff, 108, of Schenectady, died Monday, August 21, 2017. Mrs. Takaroff was an elementary school teacher in N.Y.C. and later taught in the Draper School District (now part of the Mohonasen School District).
Carol Rowe Perry, 81, formerly from North Greenbush, passed away in Wilmington, N.C. on August 18, 2017. Prior to moving to Surfside Beach, S.C. she retired from the Troy School District as a teachers aide.
Todd Pulliam, 84, of Altamont, died on August 17, 2017. He joined the Air Force during the Korean conflict and served in Germany. He taught high school in Richmondville and Duanesburg, N.Y. and Belmont, Mass. Todd served as director of the Rensselaer County Junior Museum for 17 years.
Marie P. Hammarstrom, 99, of Latham, entered into eternal life on Sunday, August 20, 2017. Marie was a kindergarten teacher with the Lansingburgh School District for many years. She also worked for the City of Troy Department of Recreation during the summers.
Alan R. Meyer, 83, of Glenmont, died Saturday, August 19, 2017. After more than two decades in dentistry, Alan worked for three years as a special educator at the O.D. Heck Developmental Center in Albany before retiring in Glenmont.
Francis "Frank" J. Castle, 75, of Cohoes, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017. Frank served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS St. Paul from 1960-1964. He worked as a custodian at the Lansing Elementary School in Cohoes, for 10 years.
Gertrude D. "Dorothy" Salmon, 91, of North Bangor, NY, passed away Monday evening, August 14, 2017. Born in Saranac Lake, on January 25, 1926, Dorothy was employed for many years as the instructor of the nursing program for BOCES in Schenectady. She retired from there in 1981.
Helen E. (Templeton) Reid, of Albany, passed away May 26, 2017. Born in Schenectady, Helen worked for BOCES for many years and was a volunteer for the Midway Fire Department.
Ronald Laverne Parrish, 87, of Palm Bay, FL, passed away on August 12, 2017. Ron joined the Navy and served during the Korean War era from 1950 to 1954. The family moved to Colonie in 1971, where Ron worked for Guilderland School District, until his retirement in 1986.
Phyllis C. Wheeler, 84, formerly of Waterford died Friday, August 18, 2017. Born in Troy, Phyllis worked as a teacher's assistant at Waterford Halfmoon School.
Mary K. Weatherwax, 67, of Delmar, died Thursday, August 17, 2017. Born in Troy, Mary worked as a secretary for the Bethlehem School District, retiring in 2000.
Carolyn J. Elia, 73, of Malta, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Carolyn was a longtime resident of Crescent. She enjoyed many years working for the Shenendehowa Central School District.
Lee Ann Conners, 82, of Berne, died August 1, 2017. For most of her career, Lee Ann taught kindergarten at Draper Elementary in Rotterdam. She also taught at Bradt Elementary School in Mohonasen.
Herbert Lee Davis Jr., 91, of Slingerlands, died August 13, 2017. Lee enlisted and served in the United States Army as a bombardier during World War II. He had three careers, as he would say: a pharmaceutical detail man, a mathematics teacher, and finally as a fundraiser for the American Red Cross.
Marion J. Farlin, 94, of Schenectady, passed away on August 16, 2017. She taught at Butler, Ohio High School for one year. After retiring from Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, she served as a medical doctor and officer with Project USA, offering health services to families on Native American Reservations.
On this day in 1944, August 17, a Scottish lady, Jane Haining, from Dumfrieshire, became the only Scot to die in the gas chambers of Auschwitz. Her crime, despite being a Christian, she refused to leave the children she taught at a Jewish school in Hungary and stayed with them to the end. She was officially honoured as a Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem in 2010.
Robert F. Hermann, 68, of Delmar, passed away on August 12, 2017. He taught math at Guilderland High School and stayed in touch with many colleagues there.
Stephen Stanley Andrukiewicz, 73, of Ballston Spa, died on August 15, 2017. He started teaching at SUNY Adirondack (ACC) in 1968 and retired after 49 years in 2017.
Patricia E. Downs, 84, of Scotia, entered eternal life on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. She was employed at Scotia Glenville High School for many years and was an avid gardener.
Charles W. Weeden, 69, of Hoosick Falls, passed away on Sunday August 13, 2017. He was employed by the Hoosick Falls Central School for over 30 years, first as a bus driver then as the transportation supervisor.
Joan C. Rutecki, 73, of Schenectady, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017. She was an administrative secretary in the Schenectady City Schools for 24 years, with 20 years at Central Park Middle School.
Connie Burkart, 67, of Averill Park, passed away August 11, 2017. Connie was an employee of the Averill Park School District for 22 years and president of the Non-Instructional Employees Association.
Edna I. VanDuzee-Walter, 96, of Round Lake, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2017. She was a music teacher at Ballston Spa and other schools in the area. She also ran a musical nursery school in Round Lake from 1969-1986.
Bonnie Ruth Reister Duchow, 86, formerly of Westerlo, died Wednesday, August 9, 2017, in Dallas, Texas. Bonnie taught in Manchester, NH, public schools, first as a substitute and later as a reading specialist. In Saratoga Springs, Bonnie again was a substitute teacher in the city school district.
Douglas L. Vunk, 86, of Middle Grove, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017. Doug served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He retired from General Electric and BOCES.
Andrea M. Gahr, 70, of Schenectady, died Saturday, August 5, 2017. Andrea retired from the State University of New York after 40 years of service as a Senior Data Entry Machine Operator.
Patricia A. Dvorak, 80, of Menands, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017. Pat was a dedicated teacher of choral and instrumental music for the South Colonie School District, retiring in 1993.
Lucille T. Martinec, 97, of Glenville, died Monday, August 7, 2017. Cele began her working career as a school teacher in Watertown, NY. Subsequently, she worked at the Navy Depot in Scotia during WW II. Later in life she worked for FEMA.
Beverly Ruth Cunningham, 87, of Burnt Hills, died on Saturday, August 5, 2017. After raising her family, she worked as a teaching assistant and library aide at Charlton Heights Elementary School.
Louis Patrick Renna, 66, of Colonie, died August 4, 2017. He was employed by the Albany Police Department from 1972 until he retired in 1997. He then worked for Philip Livingston Middle School as a safety officer, was a school bus driver for South Colonie, and was one of the original owners of Albany Aquaducks. He was also the owner of Dutch Apple Cruises.
Justine M. Connelly, 84, formerly of Schenectady, died Monday, July 24, 2017. For 20 years she worked at the family business, the Connelly Dairy. Later she worked for 29 years at Schenectady County Community College in the Finance Department, both jobs as a bookkeeper.
Carol A. Rock, 64, of Latham, passed away July 28, 2017. Carol was a nurse's aide, employed by the Teresian House in Albany for five years. She also was formerly a school bus driver for the New Lebanon School District.
Harold L. Pazer, 80, of Albany, passed away July 16, 2017. A pioneer in the field of Information Quality, he first taught at Washington State University. In 1968 joined the faculty of the Business School at the University of Albany (SUNY), where he remained until his retirement in 1999.
Eileen Danison, 93, of Ballston Spa, died Thursday, July 27, 2017. Eileen worked for many years as a substitute teacher at Ballston Spa Central Schools.
Francis H. "Frank" Daley, 80, of Delmar, died July 28, 2017. Frank worked for the Bethlehem Central School District for 22 years, retiring in 1999 as head custodian of the Bethlehem Middle School.
Fred G. Boettger, 89, of Troy, died July 28, 2017. Fred was employed at Troy High School as a drafting teacher, and more recently at the Troy City School District as director of vocational education, retiring 1983.
Eleanora Theresa (Cahill) O'Connor, 91, a former longtime resident of Ilion, and currently of Pepperell, MA, passed away Monday afternoon, July 24, 2017. For five years she worked as a health teacher with Herkimer BOCES and then Ilion High School as a nurse and health teacher until her retirement in 1988.
Kathleen "Casey" Diegel, 70, of Colonie, entered into eternal life July 26, 2017. She taught at Saddlewood Elementary and Lisha Kill Middle School in the South Colonie School District for 31 years.
William J. Purdy, 83, of Charlton, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017. He taught special education students at Linton High School while serving as line coach for the football team. In 1961, he became an attendance teacher, then a guidance counselor and a school psychologist, working at McKinley, Washington Irving, Central Park, Linton and Mont Pleasant High School during his 10 years of teaching in Schenectady.
Lance D. Ida, 79, passed away Monday, July 24, 2017. He had a long teaching mathematics in the Queensbury, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Shenendehowa School Districts for over 30 years. He was Chairman of the Math Department and Administrative Dean while working in Shenendehowa, retiring in 1995.
Marianne Scott, 74, of Saratoga Springs, died Saturday, July 22, 2017. She spent 36 years teaching both elementary and middle school math. She taught at Brandywine and Elmer Elementary Schools and Oneida Middle School in Schenectady; Mattacheese Middle School in Yarmouth, MA; and Iroquois Middle School in Niskayuna.
Carol L. (Mahardy) Bossone, 62, of Albany passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017. She began her career as a special education teacher in the Cohoes area and then relocated to Cobb County in Marietta, Ga., the position from which she retired, and then relocated to Albany.
Ronald J. Roland, 79, of Scotia, passed away Monday, July 17, 2017. Ron was a veteran that served his country in the United States Navy. In 2014, Ron joined the faculty of the Capital Region BOCES where he taught Building Trades.
Jennifer Rose Robertaccio, 33, of Malta, passed away Monday, July 24, 2017. After completing her college degrees, Jennifer started her career as a reading specialist in the Shenendehowa School District.
Tara Prasad Das, of Guilderland, died July 18, 2017. He was best known for his distinguished and prolific 60-year career in theoretical physics. Tara Das was born on July 7, 1932, in Cuttack, Orissa, India. In 1971 Professor Das began a career in the physics department at SUNY Albany that culminated in his retirement in 2013 at the age of 81.
Carolyn Ogren, of Colonie, passed away Friday, July 21, 2017. Born December 30, 1938, in Albany, Carolyn attended Colonie Central High School. She was a secretary to the Superintendent of South Colonie Schools for many years, retiring in 1999.
Joseph Thomas Meda, of Albany, passed away on July 23, 2017, at age 76. Joe was a fellow and teaching assistant at SUNY Albany before working at the Junior College of Albany - now Sage Junior College and The Albany Academy as chairman of the History department.
Yolonde M. Gargano, 81, of Mechanicville, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Born in Whitehall, Yolonde worked as a cafeteria cashier for the Mechanicville Public School District for 17 years.
Filomena OB Anderson, 94, of Albany passed away July 8, 2017. She was 94 years old. She was a retired speech pathologist in the Albany school system.
Benjamin Henry Lindeman Jr., 82, of Poestenkill, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Ben was a mathematics teacher in Cincinnatus, N.Y. from 1957-1963 and Averill Park High School from 1964-1980 and served as Averill Park High School interim principal for a year. He then became a mathematics associate in the Mathematics Bureau of the New York State Education Department in 1980.
Nadia M. Haitko, 83, of Maplewood, died Sunday, July 16, 2017. Retired from the East Greenbush Central School District, Nadia taught third through fifth grades there. She was also a guidance counselor in the Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake School District, and taught her first years in Troy P.S. 10. She was a member of the East Greenbush Teacher's Association.
Katina G. Chapski, 94, of Albany, died Monday, July 17, 2017. Mrs. Chapski taught social studies at Babylon Junior - Senior High School for 40 years, and was also certified to teach French and English. She also coached cheerleading.
Josephine Autilio Sano, 97, of Albany, passed away Monday, July 17, 2017. Mrs. Sano taught social studies in a teaching career that spanned 44 years, the majority in the Albany School District at School 19 and Hackett Middle School until her retirement in 1986. Mrs. Sano was a founding member of the NYSUT. She was past president of APSTA (Albany Public School Teachers Association). She was the recipient of many labor awards including the Union Label and the AFT Sandra Feldman award.
William Bruce Borwegen, 86, of Fishers Landing, died Thursday, July 13, 2017. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served for four years. Bruce became a school bus driver, instructor, and examiner for the Thousand Islands Central Schools while continuing to provide plumbing, heating and electrical services in his new community, retiring again in 2007.
Josephine Musella, 95, of Ballston Spa, died on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. She was born on March 19, 2017, in Albany. She had worked for the Albany City School District for over 10 years as a cafeteria worker, and earlier had been a house wife and homemaker.
Barbara Remington, 86, of Gloversville, NY, passed away on July 7, 2017 in Venice, Florida. She served as an elementary school teacher for 35 years, first in Rochester and later in Schenectady, NY.
Pauline (Kitts) Rebeor, 86, of Port St. Lucie, FL, passed away June 27, 2017. Pauline was employed by Shenendehowa Central School District as an administrative assistant for 20 years.
Elaine Dederick Giebelhaus, 72, of Hurley passed away on July 14, 2017. Born in Kingston, she was educated at SUNY Delhi and New Paltz and worked over 20 years for Ulster County Community College.
Charles F. Hackenyos, 80, of Southampton, Pennsylvania, died Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Charles was an English teacher in the Philadelphia, PA, School District for many years. He taught at Lincoln High School for two years and then spent the remainder of his long career at Frankford High School, where he retired in 1998.
Murray Harper, of Monroe Township, NJ, passed away on February 3, 2017 at the age of 92. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps following his high school graduation in 1942, where he served his country until February 1946. He taught mathematics for 24 years at East Brunswick Vocational and Technical High School in New Jersey. He was very proud of coaching the school's Girls Varsity Softball team from 1975-1986. Murray led the 1985 squad to the Vocational State Championship.
Samuel DiSibio, 95, of East Patchogue, NY, died November 22, 2016. He was an English teacher at Patchogue-Medford High School and night professor at Adelphi University and Dowling College. He served in the Army's 321st Infantry during World War II.
Judith Atwood Rasmussen, 72, of Niskayuna, passed away on July 1, 2017. Judy was born in Plattsburgh, NY, and taught history in the Ticonderoga, NY school district for several years.
Kathleen Johnson (nee Whalen), of Levitttown, PA, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the age of 94. After retiring from Montgomery Ward in Menands, Kathleen was the "lunch lady" at Lansingburg High School.
Michael "Mike" Patrick Carey, 69, of Loudonville passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Mike began his career as an elementary school physical education teacher, and also coached football at Philip Schuyler High School. Later he was the director of transportation, and then principal of School 20 in North Albany.
Frances Schumann Mehm, 82, a resident of Niskayuna, passed away on July 6, 2017. Fran began her teaching career in West Hurley, N.Y., and then moved to Colonie, where she taught in various South Colonie Schools grades two through six.
John R. Thompson, 62, of Albany passed away on June 30, 2017. John was employed by Albany County Headstart, Villa Mary Immaculate, O.G.S. and the Albany City School District, where he retired from.
Paul L. Bear, 93, of Greenville, passed away Wednesday July 5, 2017. He worked on the family farm, Bear's Farm, for his entire life. He also worked for the Town of Greenville and drove a school bus for Greenville Central School.
Edward J. Decker, Sr., 96, of Halfmoon, passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017. Edward served in the US Army and worked as an electrician for General Electric. Following his retirement in 1983, he worked for Shenendehowa Central Schools.
Antonio Paniccia, 81, of Rotterdam, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017. He worked as a mason for several local contractors before taking a job as a maintenance worker at the SUNY Albany campus. He retired in 2002 with 30 years of service.
Karyn Lee (Schneider) Welch, 64, of Latham, passed away on July 2, 2017. She was licensed with the American Association of Occupational Therapists. She started working in the capital district at the Troy City School District. The majority of her 41-year career was spent working at the Bethlehem Central School District, helping physically challenged children.
Sandra "Sandee" Piculell, 65, of Guilderland, passed away on July 7, 2017. Sandee served Guilderland Central School District for many years, supporting the Special Ed. Dept. at Farnsworth Middle School.
Pearl R. Schaeffer, 95, formerly of Howes Cave and Middleburgh, NY, died Friday, June 2, 2017. She worked at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady during WWII. She would later work at SUNY Cobleskill in the cleaning and maintenance department for 20 years until retiring in 1982.
Lois Abramson, 79, of Schenectady, formerly of Glenville, NY, passed away July 3, 2017. She was an advocate for people with disabilities, working as a Special Education Aide with BOCES for over 20 years.
Andrew Tarbay, 94, passed away on July 2, 2017. He was born on May 31, 1923, in Pittsburgh, and lived in Maplewood since he was three. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after Pearl Harbor and was honorably discharged in 1945. He taught seventh and eighth grade social studies and English at Maplewood School for 24 years.
Leona M. O'Sullivan, 84, of Mannsville, passed away on July 2, 2017. Leona was born on January 5, 1933, in Lansingburgh. Leona taught art in Chatham, Camden, Marcellus, LaFargeville, and Lyme schools.
Arthur F. Hutson, 88, of Guilderland, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2017. Mr. Hutson was a high school teacher and varsity basketball coach with the Guilderland C.S.D. for 30 years until retirement.
JULY 4, 2017
June Brown McNiven passed away on June 23, 2017, in Ogunquit, ME, one day shy of her 100th birthday. She was very proud to serve in WWII. She was sent over to the Pacific Theater as a nurse in the Army Nurse Corps in 1942. While raising her family, June worked for a number of years as a nurse at Brady Hospital and then Guilderland Junior High School.
Katina Semon, 77, of Latham, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017. She was raised in Kavalla, Greece, in the village of Zygos. Katina worked as a cook for SUNY Albany for many years.
Mary E. Williams, of Schenectady, died Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Mary was born in Skipper, Virginia on June 25, 1951. Mary worked as a Teacher's Asst. for the Schenectady School District for over 25 years.
Hertha Johnson, 95, of Valatie died June 29, 2017. She was born in Cairo, N.Y. She worked in the Ichabod Crane Central School cafeterias and was well known for her baking skills.
Maureen Patrice Hood, 74, of Albany, passed away June 26, 2017. She was an English professor at Hudson Valley Community College, where she taught for the last 50 years. She received SUNY's highest honor, the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
James Julius Kiepper of Delmar died on June 12, 2017. He was born in 1933 in Syracuse. Jim taught at Columbia High School, until accepting a position on the faculty of the School of Education, now SUNY Albany. He was a contributing writer to the Times Union and worked as a consultant for NYSUT.
Robert E. Gervasio Sr., 79, of Troy, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017. Robert served in the United States Marine Corp from 1956 to 1959. He retired from the Corinth Central School District as a custodian.
Anne J. Carabis, 87, of Latham passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017. Anne was a dedicated teacher and educator for over 25 years at Shaker Road Elementary School in the South Colonie Central School District.
Leona E. (Stanczyk) Kimball, 91, of Cohoes passed away Monday, June 19, 2017. Leona retired after 42 years of teaching in various local schools. After retirement, she was employed with SUNY Albany in the biology department.
Kathryn M. Peacock, 72, of Stillwater, died Friday, June 23, 2017. In 1974, Kathy served as the school nurse for the Stillwater Central School District for 29 years. She retired in 2003 after an amazing career.
Keith S. Trask, 81, formerly of Schoharie, NY, died Monday, June 19th in Zephyrhills, FL. He worked at BOCES in Schoharie as a custodian until his retirement in 2000.
Christine Pierce, 64, of Rotterdam, passed away on Monday, June 19th 2017. Chris worked for many years as a teacher assistant at Mohonasen High School and later as front office manager at Sampson's Prosthetic Laboratory.
Santina DiDio, 93, of Troy, died Friday evening, June 16, 2017. In 1960 Santina started to work for the Troy City School District and worked there until her retirement in 1984.
Jeannie Marie Blowers, 76, of Grand Island, died June 18, 2017. She taught first grade between 1963 and 1966 in Gloucester and Salisbury, Mass., and Scotia. She played the piano and organ, and was an award-winning knitter, despite being blind.
Richard N. Dames, 85, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017. Mickey served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948-1950. He was a member of the Operating Engineers, IUOE Local 158 for over 60 years and in later years was employed by the South Colonie School District.
Harry A. Little, 86, formerly of Brunswick, New York, died June 12, 2017. He served in the Strategic Air Command, United States Air Force during the Korean and Cold Wars. He taught and administrated special education students and taught and administrated future teachers in that field. In 1973, he launched and directed programs in Special Education at the Sage Colleges in Troy, New York.
Penny J. Bilinski, 71, of Stillwater, died Saturday, June 3, 2017. After moving to New York, she was a Special Needs Aide at Stillwater High School for many years.
Carl DeMarco, a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017. Born on February 24, 1931, he was a fine trumpeter and played in the high school band and orchestra. He worked for 32 years for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and was a bus driver for the Saratoga Springs City School District.
Catherine Nial, 80, of Clifton Park, passed away June 17, 2017. She taught in Albany at Giffen Middle School, Albany High School, and Guilderland High School before taking a position as the eighth grade English teacher in Hoosic Valley Central School in Schaghticoke. She taught there for 21 years.
Dorothy DeAngelis Dharni, 88, passed away on June 5, 2017. Dorothy worked at Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J. There she taught English, became English Department supervisor, dean of women and assistant principal. She also taught English courses at Montclair State University for several years. Dorothy retired in 1984.
Lynly C. Layaou (Adams, Langille), 51, of Schenectady, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017. Lynn graduated from Linton High School and was employed by Capital Region BOCES for over 20 years, in addition to working for the Center for the Disabled for eight years.
Veronica "Ronnie" S. Bartholic, 84, of Niskayuna, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Ronnie taught music for more than twenty years in the Niskayuna School District while also giving private piano lessons to children of all ages. Ronnie was also a highly regarded bell choir director for many years in the greater Capital area.
Robert Valentine Coluni, 86, of Amsterdam, NY, passed away Friday, June 9, 2017. Bob was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving from 1954 to 1956. He began his teaching years and eventually became a high school guidance counselor at Perth Central School District. He did some coaching there as well.
Jeanne F. Hayes, 75, of Troy, died June 15, 2017. Once her children were of school age, Jeanne began a decades long career in the health office of the W. K. Doyle Middle School in Troy.
Margaret "Peg" M. Pearsall, 82, of Latham, died Thursday, June 8, 2017. Born in Troy, she taught fourth grade for many years at Shenendehowa Central School District in Clifton Park, before eventually retiring from teaching.
Edna E. Sills, 108, of Guilderland, died June 11, 2017. In 1929 she began a 37 year career as an elementary school teacher in New York City. Upon retirement and moving to the Capital District, Edna volunteered at area elementary schools helping children learn to read.
Joan S. Stocker Borden, 86, of Troy, passed away Monday, June 12, 2017. Born in Cohoes, Joan was a school teacher and taught for many years at Lansingburgh High School where she also volunteered for various clubs and organizations.
Louise Lincoln, 84, of Clifton Park, died June 14, 2017. She taught high school English in Chatham for many years; served as principal at Mt. Anthony Junior High School in Bennington, Vt.; and served as vice principal in the Shenendehowa School District in Clifton Park. She retired in 1995, but continued to substitute teach at local school districts.
Wayne J. Flavin, 66, of Harriman, died Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Between 1975 and 1981, he taught history and English in Cohoes and Port Jervis, N.Y., where he also coached baseball, basketball, football, and track.
Ladi V. (Ceremuga) Masur, 94, of Glenville, passed away on Wednesday evening, April 26th. Ladi taught music in the South Colonie Central School District. She also worked with special needs individuals at OD Heck and Pine Ridge Industries.
Helen D. Liddle, 100, of Auburn, NY, formerly of Princetown, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Helen taught in schools in her hometown of Schenectady County and later in the Greater Auburn School District. She retired in 1972.
Margaret W. Ftikas, 91, of Danbury, CT, died May 24, 2017. Peggy worked for the United States Foreign Service in Japan and Greece, and taught at Wilbur Cross School in Bridgeport, CT for 23 years.
Nancy Maguire Witko, 81, of Albany, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2017. She was a teacher in the City School District of Albany for 21 years, serving at Albany High School, Giffen, and Schools 19, 24, 9, 3, and 16.
Helen B. Martin, 94, formerly of Rotterdam Junction, died Friday, June 2, 2017. She began her career teaching at Catskill H.S. (1944-1945), then Woestina High School (1952-1954), Schalmont CSD (1954-1958) and Woestina Elementary School (1958-1966). From 1966 until her retirement in 1987, she was principal of Woestina Elementary School.
Carol Ann Lahut, 56, of the Town of Kinderhook, passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017. Carol worked as an English teacher at Ichabod Crane High School for over 28 years.
Shirley M. Kelly, 99, of East Greenbush, died on Friday, May 26, 2017. Shirley graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a B.S. in education at the age of 20. She first taught in the Huntington Long Island School District, then in the East Greenbush Central Schools from 1953-1979.
Viola DeMarco, 93, of Colonie, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017. "Aunt Vi" worked as a babysitter for years in the Whitehall Rd area of Albany, and in later years at the Hackett Middle School cafeteria where she enjoyed interacting with the students and faculty.
Sandra (Stein) Smith, 78, of Glenmont, died Wednesday, June 7, 2017. She taught programming and English at Saratoga-Warren BOCES and night courses at the College of St. Rose.
Richard J. Matteo, "Dick," 83, of Albany, passed away Monday, June 5, 2017. Dick began his career with the City School District of Albany as a Physical Education and Health Teacher.
Deborah Ashley, 68, of Slingerlands, died on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Deborah gave up her career to become a full time mother and later entered her second teaching career at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. She also taught in Chappaqua and Albany. She was a member of the Master Teachers Cohort and she was nationally board certified.
Julia “Julie” Hillman Dougherty, 78, of Portland OR, formerly of Schenectady, NY, passed away May 16, 2017. Julia was an elementary school teacher, teaching both in the 1960s and again in the 1980s and 90s after taking time off to raise her two children. She described her time teaching third grade at Columbus School in New Rochelle, NY as the highlight of her career.
Louisa M. Postulka, 78, of Loudonville, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017. In later years, she worked at BOCES in the library.
James V. Lizardo, 39, of Troy, died Monday, May 29, 2017. Teaching History at Robert C. Parker School in Wynantskill, was his privilege for the past 14 years. Earlier, he taught at Medford School near Boston.
Horton Keith Durfee, 91, of Ithaca, formerly of New Lebanon and Troy, died on May 20, 2017. He taught at Berkshire Community College and the Emma Willard School. During World War II, Horton joined the ski troops of the 10th Mountain Army Division and took part in the Italian campaign in the Apennine Mountains. It was there on March 3, 1945, that he was badly wounded by shrapnel in his back and right leg, and spent the following fourteen months recovering at Halloran Hospital on Staten Island. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Helen Rosen Scherzer, 86 of Albany, died on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. She taught elementary school in Public Schools 19, 20 and 26 in Albany for several years.
Esther Anne Klein Willison, 82, of Scotia, died May 28, 2017. A founder and teacher in the Open School in the 1970's, a public alternative school in Schenectady based on the English Summerhill model, Esther taught the youngest children in the school. Later Esther became a literary specialist at the Howe School.
John F. Decker, 71, of Watervliet, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017. John was a professional firefighter and was employed by the City of Watervliet Fire Department. During that time he had also served as president of the Professional Firefighters Union, Local 590. John had also worked simultaneously as a school bus driver for the North Colonie School District for a number of years.
Madeline T. Whaley, 87, of Green Island, died Monday, May 29, 2017. A native and lifelong resident of Green Island, she began her teaching career in 1952 at Heatly High School in Green Island, where she taught English to several generations of Green Islanders, retiring in 1985.
W. Wayne Heiser, 91, of Delmar, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017. In 1943 he began serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was stationed in Okinawa. He accepted a position as a professor of geography at the University at Albany in 1968, where he taught until his retirement in 1991.
William R. Warner, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away on May 16, 2017. Bill was a chemistry teacher at S. Colonie H.S. Bill and his dad owned Warner Pharmacy in the Four Corners in Delmar for a time. He was an instructor and instrument rated pilot, an accomplished skydiver, scuba diver, pharmacist, golfer, basketball coach and referee.
June A. O'Connell, 60, of Rotterdam, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2017. June was born in Schenectady on June 6, 1956. She was a loyal employee of the Schenectady School District for 18 years.
Lois M. Hughes, 79, of Troy passed away Sunday May 21, 2017. Lois was employed for 27 years as a Dental Hygiene Teacher at Troy Public Schools and retired in 2001. Prior to that she was employed at Columbia County BOCES from 1959-1961.
Stanley A. Gorzynski, 81, of Albany, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017. He taught English at Hackett Jr. High from 1958-1960, Spanish at Albany High School from 1960-1986 and was the supervisor of foreign languages for the Albany City School District from 1986 until his retirement in 1993.
Doris E. Seibert, 83, of Scotia, died on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Doris had a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.
Catherine Fettig Thompson, 79, of Queensbury, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017. Catherine retired as a high school math teacher at Hoosic Valley Central School in 1995. Following her teaching career, she worked at NYSUT as an Information Technologist for seven years. She was a member of the NYSUT Retiree Council 10 Board of Directors and was instrumental in establishing the database currently used for membership.
Allan Lewis, 68, of Scotia, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017. He began student teaching for the Shenendehowa School District and remained there as an art teacher for his entire career until retirement.
Helen M. Novak Ketz, 100, of Hudson, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Helen was born and raised in Cohoes. She taught elementary, Latin and English in Cohoes and later taught French at Hudson High School.
C. Ina Malesky, a resident of Schuylerville, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017. Born in Cohoes, Ina was employed by the NYS Labor Department, the Schuylerville School Library, and retired from BOCES in Saratoga Springs where she worked as a teachers aid.
Margarete "Oma" Kriete, 91, of Selkirk, passed away May 9, 2017. She was a hard-worker who had a career at the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District, where she cherished working with children for 39 years until she retired at the age of 79. She received the Prime Time Award honoring New York's most Outstanding Senior Workers.
Leonard F. Jarvis, a of Loudonville, died in Bedford, N.H. on May 8, 2017. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving during the Korean War in the 3rd Marine Air Wing. Leonard retired finally from the New Hampshire Community Technical College in Nashua, Concord, and Manchester, N.H., where he he taught math and electronics.
Donald James Nolan, 82, of Clifton Park, died Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Don enlisted in the United States Army and served as First Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division. Don was an integral contributor to the establishment of New York State's first external degree program. Regents College, known today as Excelsior College, was built on the idea that what a person knows is more important than where he learned it.
Anne K. Brown, 80, of Venice, Florida, passed away May 9, 2017. Anne worked as an administrative secretary in several positions in the Half Hollow Hills School District on Long Island and later as secretary to the Superintendent of the Niskayuna Central School District, a position she held until retirement.
Frances Carp Gordon, 89, of East Greenbush died on Thursday, May 11, 2017. She had been employed by the New York State Research Foundation at SUNY Albany for many years and was retired.
Mary Ellen Tompkins Brinkman, 85, of Cobleskill, NY, passed away May 8, 2017. She touched hundreds of lives during her 20 + years as a second and third grade teacher at Ryder Elementary School in Cobleskill.
Mary Morris Thiele, 90, of Schenectady, passed away on May 2, 2017. Mary was born and raised in Bothell, Washington and worked until her retirement as the audiovisual aids specialist at Cascade High School in Everett, Washington.
Edna A. (Remancus) Rinaldi, 103, of Albany, passed away May 9, 2017. A fantastic swimmer, she taught many children, including her nieces how to swim. In 1962, Edna was sworn in by the Albany Police Department as a school crossing guard until retiring in 2012.
Clarine Choyke Rabinow, 96, of Albany, passed away May 10, 2017. "Claire" worked as a learning disabilities teacher/consultant in the South Orange Maplewood School District in New Jersey for more than 30 years before retiring.
Margaret Westervelt, 95, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2017. Educated at the State University of New York at Albany, she became a teacher in New York and and spent four years as the principal of the Kamehameha Girls School in Hawaii.
Mary Lynne Pembrook, 78, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2017. Lynne was born on March 9, 1939, in Troy. She worked for the North Colonie School District as a noon aide at Boght Hills Elementary School.
Evangeline Marilyn (nee Schunke) Rusinski Simon, 86, of Schenectady, passed away May 2, 2017. Formerly of Buffalo, NY, and known as Marilyn to most, she taught for many years in the Buffalo, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Elma, NY) and West Seneca schools.
Frank John Bogarski Jr., 65, of Ghent, passed away May 6, 2017. Born in Kinderhook, he was a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College, a retired carpenter, and a bus driver for the Chatham School District.
Christopher E. Costello, of Middleburgh, died Saturday, April 29, 2017. Christopher was born on September 25, 1995 in Orlando, FL. He most recently worked as a Café Attendant at CAS, SUNY Cobleskill Auxiliary Services.
Catherine (Bouras) Vavura, 81, of Albany, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017. After raising her family, Catherine returned to work for the Albany City School District. First, she served as a lunch aide at PS #16, then as a cafeteria worker at Albany High School, and was then promoted to Stores Clerk for the breakfast and lunch programs out of Livingston Middle School. She retired after 32 years of service at age 77.
Edward F. Bunting, 88, of East Nassau, passed away December 21, 2016. Ed joined the Navy in 1946, serving his country aboard the USS Seneca. For 27 years he taught history at New Lebanon High School.
Barbara Simons Fleischer, 83, of Schenectady, New York, died April 29, 2017. After teaching in Newton, MA at Claflin Elementary, she later taught remedial reading and math at Charlton Heights Elementary School in Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake until she retired in 1994.
Ann M. Spratt Rudmann, 65, of Colonie, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017. After her "retirement" she continued to work as a substitute at the South and North Colonie School Districts.
Catherine G. (DeLuke) Simone, 92, of Schenectady, died Friday, April 21, 2017. Catherine was a lifelong Schenectady area resident. She worked in food service at Linton High School and at KAPL in Niskayuna, retiring in the early 1980's.
Carol Ann Jones, 77, of Scotia and Clifton Park, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017. Born in Schenectady on August 11, 1939, she was a life long area resident and attended local schools, graduating from Scotia High School. Carol was a teacher with Shenendehowa Schools for 49 years, until her retirement.
Janet Redman Satin, 78, of Delmar, died March 30, 2017. She taught and nurtured elementary students in Evansville, Ind., Columbia, Mo., Hyde Park, and retired from the Ravena, Coeymans, Selkirk schools in 2003.
Grief counselors were on hand at Geneva High School after two math teachers died following unrelated illnesses, according to district officials. Math teachers Ivan Johnson and Laura Flynn both died over the weekend. Ivan, who worked for the Geneva City School District for six years, died on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Laura, 48, worked for the district since 1999 and died on Sunday, April 23, 2017.
Eugene "Gene" R. Traver, 92, of Latham, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. He served the U.S. Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. He operated Gene Traver's Barber Shop in Troy for 52 years. He also worked part-time as a bus driver for the North Colonie School District for 15 years.
John William Farley, 97, of Kernersville, NC, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017. A World War II veteran, he taught at Locust Valley and then Black River school districts. The remainder of his teaching career was spent with the Guilderland School District in both the high school and middle school as a social studies teacher. John was elected president of the Teachers Union during his tenure.
Joseph L. Rebeor, 86, of Greenville, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Mr. Rebeor was a veteran of the Korean War, serving as a flame tank commander with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Mr. Rebeor was an industrial arts teacher at the Greenville Junior-Senior High School for 29 years, and also taught adult education courses before retiring in 1986.
David B. Filkins, 69, of Burnt Hills, passed away March 30, 2017. David taught science at Brittonkill, Cambridge, Troy, Glenmont Job Corp., and finished his career teaching GED in Schenectady.
Dorothy A. Turley (Hess), 84, formerly of Watervliet, died Monday, April 17, 2017. She was a school teacher and a licensed real estate broker in Croton on Hudson, until she retired to Saratoga.
MaryLou Cronin, 85, of Troy passed away April 18, 2017. MaryLou was born in Troy and taught in the Troy City School District for 27.5 years.
James N. Bult, 80, of Schodack, passed away on April 20, 2017. He grew up in Brookview, on the family farm. James was a dairy farmer, a school bus driver for Schodack Central Schools and a town justice for the Town of Schodack.
Lillian M. Willis, 99, of East Schodack died on Thursday, April 20, 2017. She was born in Troy. Mrs. Willis was the lunch lady for East Greenbush Schools where she was famous for her banana bread.
Rose Acunzo, 87, of Albany, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017. She was born on March 23, 1930, in Brooklyn. Rose enjoyed working in the cafeteria at Tottenville High School in Staten Island for many years.
Myra Anita Taylor Gilliam Herron, 71, of Troy died on Friday, April 14, 2017. She was a native of Washington, DC until moving to Troy, in 1992. She taught instrumental music for the Washington, DC public schools from 1967-1987. Myra was a cellist, but was familiar with how to play all orchestral instruments.
Joan Theresa Gallagher, 81, of Middleburgh, died Saturday, April 15, 2017. She was born June 14, 1935 in the Bronx. Joan taught school at Pearl River High School for 32 years, retiring in 1990.
Stella Rooney, 87, of Mechanicville, died Monday, April 10, 2017. Stella was a principal's secretary for the Albany City School District for over 25 years, and previously worked for N.Y. Telephone Co.
Amelia M. Marlow, 87, of Guilderland, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017. Born in Berne, NY, Amelia was a homemaker, later attending Maria College and working as a teacher’s aide at Guilderland High School.
Sheila Marhafer, 72, of Glenville, died Tuesday, April 11, 2017. She had worked at Ellis Hospital for many years, later working as a substitute school nurse for the Schenectady City School District.
Ernestine J. Shattuck, 91, lifelong resident of Rensselaer, passed away April 11, 2017. Born on May 11, 1925, in West Lebanon, NH, she retired from University Services of S.U.N.Y. Albany after more than 25 years of service.
Phillip George Kranz, 87, of Slingerlands, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Phil served in the Navy during the Korean War, on the AKS 20 U.S.S. Mercury, from November 1951 until November 1953. He began his teaching career in the Guilderland School District and was an industrial arts teacher there until his retirement in 1984.
Mary Lou Attarian, of Durham, NC, died April 10, 2017. Mary Lou was born on May 31, 1930, in Gowanda, NY. After graduating from college in 1952, she taught science and math at several locations, including Philip Livingston Junior High in Albany.
Alma Doran Hill Hansen, 90, of Menands, passed away April 11, 2017. Alma was born in Troy. For many years, Alma worked for the New York State Education Department as special education teacher and program coordinator.
Catherine M. Libruk, 83, of Colonie, formerly of Stottville, N.Y., died Saturday, April 8, 2017. Catherine worked for the Hudson City School District for several years in the 70s, and then served 36 years at Columbia Greene Community College, community services, until her retirement in 2015.
Dolores F. Thanopoulos, 83, of Albany, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017. Dolores was employed by the Watervliet City School District for 28 years, and retired in 2005, following a career of educating and serving the children of Watervliet.
Robert "Bob" Beebe passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Dr. Beebe was born January 16, 1944 in Schenectady, New York. He taught third grade at St. Luke's School in Schenectady. During this year he joined the Army Reserves. Bob was called to Active Duty in February, 1968 and stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia. Bob worked as an administrator for the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. In 1978 Bob became a Professor of Educational Administration at a series of universities. He retired from Youngstown State University on July 1, 2015.
David A. Doty of Little River, SC died April 5, 2017. David was born in Ilion, New York on February 11, 1930. Following college graduation, he spent two years in Nuremburg, Germany as part of the occupation troops. In 1958, he moved to Ilion, NY where he began a teaching career in the Science Department at Mohawk Central High School, Mohawk, NY.
Monday, April 10, 2017...
Karen Elaine Smith, 53, was shot dead by her estranged husband at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino, CA. She was teaching a class of 15 students with special needs, who ranged from first to fourth grade.
Ruth Elizabeth Hathaway, 86, long time Stillwater resident, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2017. She was the first female school bus driver for the Stillwater Central School System, where she worked for more than 30 years. She was a strong union activist for CSEA both in the Capital District and statewide.
Frances (Fran) H. Koryn, 93, of Castleton On Hudson, passed away Saturday April 8, 2017. Fran worked selling Avon products and later as a bus driver for Schodack Central Schools.
Madeline A. Sapone, 81, of Easton, NY, died on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Madeline had been employed as Assistant Registrar at Siena College for over 30 years and retired in 1998. She also had taught French at LaSalle Institute, Milne School and North Colonie Schools.
Florence D. Collins, 105, formerly of Amsterdam, NY, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017. Mrs. Collins was an elementary school teacher for the Greater Amsterdam School District, where she taught for 40 years at the Vrooman Avenue School, retiring in 1976. She was a pioneer in education, being featured on WRGB TV "Ding Dong School" in the mid 50's, and received many testimonials for her creative teaching methods.
Cecilia Maria Oballe, 51, of Scotia, died March 16, 2017. Later in life, she turned her focus to Montessori early childhood education, a passion she held for much of the next 10 years, teaching at schools in Boulder, Columbus, OH, Amsterdam, NY, and Schenectady.
Frederic "Bill" W. Hoit Jr., 83, of Albany, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Bill served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. In 1980 Bill moved back to Schenectady, where he and his wife worked together for the Schenectady School District at Washington Irving Educational Center.
George Eugene Godfroy, 88, of New Lebanon, died Thursday, April 6, 2017. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He retired in 1991 from the New Lebanon Central High School after 30 years of service as a maintenance worker.
Margaret Santa Pivacek, 81, of Rotterdam, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2017. In her early adult life, Margaret was employed as a teacher for the City of Troy School District.
Robert G. Blinsinger, 84, of Amsterdam, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017. A history teacher for the Greater Amsterdam School District, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. High and currently Wilbur H. Lynch; Bob retired after 30 years in 1990. Bob was a United States Air Force Veteran, serving his country from 1951-1955 during the Korean War.
Alden J. Asbornsen, 83, of Webster, Massachusetts, passed away Sunday morning, April 2, 2017. After completing his higher education, Alden spent a career in civil service, first as a high school social studies teacher in Vestal, New York, and then as a human resources professional for New York State.
Hazel A. Rumney, 85, of Scotia, passed away Saturday, April 1, 2017. She attended Plattsburgh State Teacher's College, graduating in 1953 and went on to a career of over 30 years teaching second grade in Scotia-Glenville.
Patrick S. "Buddy" Nash, 88, passed away Monday, April 3, 2017. Pat was born in Colonie on May 9, 1928. He lived in Colonie and worked for the South Colonie School District in the Transportation Department for over 35 years.
Robert D. Berberich, 89, of Monroe Township, NJ, formerly of Clifton Park, NY, died Saturday, April 1, 2017. Robert was born in Ossining, New York and served his country in the US Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Robert was employed as a guidance counselor for the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District for 40 years until his retirement in 1989.
Dan Moskwa, 85, of Baldwinsville, NY, died Saturday, April 1, 2017. He operated a farm prior to becoming a high school teacher of agriculture and psychology. His career of 35 years in education included teacher, director of adult education and high school principal, division dean at SUNY College at Delhi, and adjunct professor at SUNY College at Oswego.
Edwin A. Davis, 98, formerly of Seward, passed away Monday, March 27, 2017. He worked at the former Checkerboard Feeds in Cobleskill, Lipe Feeds and finally, for 10 years at the Cobleskill School District in maintenance.
Marianne E. Caruso Verro, of Saratoga Springs, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017. She was born January 22, 1937 in Troy. She often worked as a teaching assistant with BOCES and regularly appeared and sang on a once favorite local TV show, Teenage Barn.
Kathleen Ida Martin, 85, of Clifton Park, passed away March 24, 2017. After raising her children, Kathleen taught at Smallwood Elementary School in Amherst, NY. Prior to raising her family she was a Kindergarten teacher at Fort Benning, GA during the Korean Conflict.
John B. Ebenhoch Sr., 79, of Watervliet, died Friday, March 31, 2017. In September, 1971, John was sworn into the Watervliet Fire Department. He was promoted to Captain in 1975 and Battalion Chief in 1980. He retired after 24 years of service to the City of Watervliet in 1996. He was also a school bus driver for the North Colonie School District for 44 years, retiring in 2015.
Vernice Orlop Hopkins, 103, of Ballston Lake, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017. Born on December 11, 1913 in Schenectady, New York, Vernice lived most of her life in Ballston Lake. Vernice was the first female bus driver for Burnt Hills Schools.
Sandra "Sandy" Blum, of Pottstown, PA, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Sandy was born on May 18, 1943 in Amsterdam, NY. Her primary career positions were with the State University of NY at Binghamton, and later with the NY State Workers Compensation Board.
Linda C. Mastro of Guilderland died on her birthday, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Linda was a teacher for over three decades in the Guilderland Central School District, often instructing over 400 students a year. In 1986, she received an Excellence in Teaching award from S.U.N.Y. Albany. Many of her classroom projects involved community service.
Priscilla Rockwell Marx, 69, of Niskayuna, passed away March 21, 2017. She had taught in the Schenectady City School District.
Thomas Henry LeClair, of Guilderland, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017. For more than 24 years, he worked full-time as a media specialist for both Albany Educational Television and the Guilderland Central School District.
Marilyn F. Mead, 84, of Rotterdam, passed away Friday morning March 24, 2017. Born and educated in Rotterdam, Marilyn worked for the Schalmont School District as a Bus Aide for many years prior to her retirement.
Joanne L. Moone, 61, of Odessa, died March 20, 2017. She worked at Corning Community College in the Center for Professional Development as the Assistant Director. While there, she was honored in 2005 with the prestigious RAVE Award - Recognizing A Valuable Employee. She retired in 2012.
Rita Messitt Lynch, 93, of Troy, formerly of Watervliet, died Wednesday, March 22, 2017. She was employed for over 30 years by Key Bank before retiring in 1984. She later worked for the Watervliet City School District in the business office and was a teacher's assistant. She also volunteered in the foster grandparent program.
Alvin K. Fossner, 93, of Cohoes, passed away on March 22, 2017. Born in Worcester, Mass., he was a music educator who taught in the South Colonie Schools in the early 1960's and then had a 30-year career teaching college at Jersey City University in New Jersey and Columbia University Teacher's College.
Gary James Noxon, 64, of Sarasota, FL and formerly of Nineveh, NY, passed away on Friday, March 10, 2017. Gary enlisted in the US Air Force following high school. He served his country for nearly 23 years, proudly retiring as a Master Sergeant in May of 1993. He then began driving school bus for Afton Central Schools before becoming Transportation Coordinator. He retired in 2011 after 17 years with the school.
Posted March, 2017....
Gary Hammond, 75, of Cortland, passed away October 21, 2016. Gary came to Central New York to teach social studies in Deruyter, and also taught sociology courses as an adjunct at SUNY Cortland. He later worked for the Cortland County Department of Social Services for 25 years.
Posted March, 2017....
Imogene Loseke Grimmer, 86, of Garrison, NY, died Jan. 31, 2008. She was born Dec. 14, 1921, in Columbus, NE. She was school lunch director in the South Colonie (NY) Schools and in the Lexington (MA) Schools where she received the first award given for recycling in the schools.
Posted March, 2017.... Nancy (Rogers) Morgan, 84, of Saranac Lake, died Wednesday December 14, 2011. Born July 25, 1927, in Saranac Lake, she retired in 1985 after 35 years of teaching - 7 years in the South Colonie Central School system and 28 years in the Saranac Lake Central School system.
Bernard George Farrell Jr., born January 16, 1931, in Albany, passed away on March 8, 2017, in Vienna, VA. A Korean War naval veteran, he had a 32 year career in telecommunications with the United States, Central Intelligence Agency and Communications Satellite Corporation. He was also a former Fairfax County (in Virginia) Public School System special needs bus driver for 10 years.
Boni Jane (Yattaw) Connors, 45, of Saratoga Springs, died March 18, 2017. Boni had been a special education teacher for the Auburn City School District for 12 years and recently was a server for Andy’s Adirondack Grill in Malta.
Herbert Holland, 87, of Albany, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. He began his professional career in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District. Barely older than some of his students, it was a rocky start, but before long Herb rose to become chair of the social studies department, assistant school principal, and ultimately school principal. He served in both the National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring after more than three decades of service.
Francis William Rodgers, 84, of Silver Spring, MD, died Saturday, March 18, 2017. He began his career as a mathematics teacher and guidance counselor in the East Greenbush Central School District, then spent over 25 years as an assistant principal at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, retiring in 1989.
Linda Palilon Witkowski, of Niskayuna, died on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at the age of 78. A teacher of English for 31 years at Niskayuna High School, she, upon retirement, became involved with U.C.A.L.L. at Union College, where she taught and coordinated many courses, all of which focused on literature.
Maurice W. Goyette, 93, of Schenectady, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Maurice served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force, from 1942-1945. He was a teacher of General Science and biology, in the Scotia-Glenville School District for over 20 years. During the early 70's, he was a Librarian in the Niskayuna School District, until retiring in 1980.
Robert "Bob" Wayne Cole, 91, of Glenville, NY, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Bob was a Signalman, Second Class V-6 in the US Navy. He was a mechanic for John Rudd Pontiac before becoming a Vocational teacher at Mont Pleasant Middle School, Schenectady City School District. He retired from BOCES.
Gloria P. Brown, 89, of Schenectady, NY, passed away Sunday March 19, 2017. Gloria was employed by Paige Elementary School in Schenectady where she worked for over 25 years until her retirement.
Marie D. Poquette, 93, of Cobleskill, died Saturday, March 18, 2017. Born February 10, 1924, in Madawaska Notre Dame de Lourdes, New Brunswick, Canada, Marie was a cafeteria cashier for many years at Southeast Elementary School in Brentwood, Long Island.
Mary J. Cocca, 100, of Albany, returned to her Heavenly home on Thursday, March 16, 2017. Mary was a lifetime resident of Albany, where she worked for Sterling Winthrop for many years. She also worked in the cafeteria at Albany High School for the better part of her career.
Carmela M. Savoca, 83, of Albany, died Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Born in Albany, Carmela graduated from the Vincentian Institute and The College of St. Rose. She taught for over 40 years in the Rensselaer Public School District.
Alberto J. Carlos of Clifton Park passed away March 15, 2017. Born in Colton, Calif. in 1928, Professor Carlos came to teach at the University at Albany in 1962 as an assistant professor. He had been teaching at the University of Buffalo since 1961. During the last decade of his teaching career, he was director of graduate studies. In 1996, Professor Carlos retired from full-time teaching.
Deirdre Ann "DeeDee" Grimes, 62, of Rotterdam, passed away shortly before March 15, 2017. DeeDee worked as a teacher's aid for Schalmont Central Schools for 20 years. In 1993 she was awarded "Educator of the Year" at Pine Grove Elementary School.
Samuel "Sam" Bozzella, of Delmar, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017. He was born in Oyster Bay, N.Y. Sam, "Sammy" often referred to as the "Music Man" of Bethlehem Central was a well-respected music teacher and supervising teacher.
Elizabeth 'Liz' Gonzalez, 48, also known as "Cuchi", died on Sunday, March 5, 2017. For the past 20 years she has worked at the Schenectady County Jail, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Elementary School, Washington Irving and Oneida Middle School, all in Schenectady..
Gladys Edith (Kinns) Cuva, of Clifton Park, passed on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Her employment from 1996 to 2012 at Shenendehowa Central School District, working as an aide for children with special needs, was where Gladys found her calling and passion.
William Lewis Dormandy Jr., 93, of Glenville, passed away on March 9, 2017. Bill taught at Scotia Jr. High, Broadalbin Central and Worcester Central schools and was Principal at Shenendehowa Junior High.
Robert P. Rinaldi, 76, of Schenectady, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Robert was born on June 14, 1940, in Schenectady and was a lifetime resident. Robert earned his master's degree in education at SUNY Oneonta, and went on to become a school teacher for the South Colonie School District.
Frances L. (Conway) Van Steenburgh, 88, of Dayton, Ohio, formerly of Schenectady, NY, passed away February 22, 2017. She worked as a substitute teacher in the Oakwood and Kettering School districts in Ohio.
Elizabeth "Betty" Colleran Parvis, 76, of Colonie died Tuesday, February 28, 2017. She was employed as a loan officer at the School Systems Federal Credit Union, assistant facilities manager at Traveler's in Colonie and as a monitor at the South Colonie High School before her retirement.
Richard F. Burke "Jim", 83, of Scotia, passed away March 3, 2017. Mr. Burke taught History at Lake Lucerne High School prior to teaching History and Economics at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake for 35 years. He was a referee in the Capital District and coached both football and basketball.
Elisabeth Eileen, 'Liz', 'Beth', Stephens, 59, of North Greenbush, died Friday, February 24, 2017. Eileen was employed as a teacher's aid at Tamarac Middle School and most recently was a social service coordinator for over 25 years at the Van Rensselaer Manor.
Pierre P. Hartmann, of Colonie, died, February 20, 2017. He was born in Rixheim, France and he came to the U.S. when he was 23 years old. Pierre was a bartender for many years and worked at the Albany City Schools when he retired and moved to Florida.
Joyce Grace Tofano O'Neil, 76, of Mechanicville, died Saturday, February 25, 2017. Joyce began her teaching career at PS 16 in Troy and retired from teaching from PS 2 in Troy, where she worked for 30 years.
Robert C. Weatherwax, 77, of Halfmoon, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017. He served in the US Coast Guard and worked in Information Technology at GE, AMC, and CT Male before teaching at Adirondack Comunity College and Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES from which he retired.
Catherine T. Sobiski Kilcullen, 96, of Watervliet, died Saturday, February 25, 2017. After her kids were raised, she worked seasonally for the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance, and at the Watervliet High School in food service.
Catherine P. Caringi, 79, of East Greenbush, passed away Friday, February 24, 2017. Born July 12, 1937 in Mechanicville, she was employed by the Albany School System as a secretary for over 40 years.
Warren A. Peterson, 77, a Castleton resident since 1973, died on Monday, February 27, 2017. He worked as an engineer with S.U.N.Y. Albany and the Wadsworth Center Labs of the New York State Department of Health, retiring in 2001.
John A. Jacobs, Jr., 84, of Schenectady, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017. He served in the Korean War and was held prisoner of war for 16 months. Upon his discharge, he returned to General Electric and worked there for 36 years. He then worked as a school bus driver for seven years before fully retiring in 1995.
Lucy T. McCall, of Albany, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017. She was employed as a school aide at Public School 26 in Albany for many years, and was a member of the board of directors of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center.
Ruth Y. Beck, 96, of Scotia, passed away Sunday morning, February 26, 2017. A former Library assistant in Niskayuna High School for many years, Ruth was also a former employee at Buy-Rite.
Lois Marjorie Troup, 95, of Princetown, passed away a short time before March 3, 2017. She taught for 4 years at John Bigsbee School in Rotterdam and later at Mariaville Central School which became part of the Schalmont Central School District circa 1959. After 12 years as kindergarten teacher and librarian, she became Acting Principal of Mariaville Elementary School until her retirement in 1976.
David P. Acker, Sr., of Scotia, NY, passed away on the morning of February 27, 2017. Born in Johnstown, NY, Mr. Acker was 81 years old. In 1963 he began a 26-year career teaching Social Studies with North Colonie School District until he retired in 1990.
George K. Tregaskis, 82, of Altamont, died on Thursday, March 2, 2017. He was a veteran who was stationed with the U.S. Navy (Seabees) on Guam and Saipan. He was employed in the Bureau of Curriculum Development, New York State Education Department for over 20 years. Prior to his State service, he was a teacher and language arts coordinator in the Guilderland Schools and an adjunct professor at Eastern Kentucky University as well as S.U.N.Y. Albany.
Anna C. Franze, 94, of Colonie, passed away February 12, 2017. For many years, Anna worked for the South Colonie School District. She later worked for the New York State Department of Tax and Finance until her retirement in 1994.
Patricia Ann "Tricia" Johnson Carlton, 52, of Delmar, passed away on February 21, 2017. She was most recently employed by the Ravena, Coeymans, Selkirk Central School District as the principal of A.W. Becker Elementary school.
Anne Frances Dunbar, 86, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017. Anne started her career as an Executive Secretary at General Electric. After raising her family, she went back to work at Wood Road Elementary School in Ballston Spa as Executive Secretary to the principal.
Nancy A. Storer Jensen, age 81, a resident of Northville, died Wednesday, February 15, 2017. She was born in Staten Island, NY on May 9, 1935. Nancy was employed as a School Teacher working in Edinburg, and then Wells, where she retired in 1990.
Julia Mary Dzuba, "Papa Julie", of Schenectady, died on February 21, 2017. Born in Little Falls, NY, on February 23, 1924, she died on the cusp of her 93rd birthday. Mrs. Dzuba was the school nurse at Mariaville Elementary School in the Schalmont School District for 25 years.
Mother Bertha F. Williams has passed away, as reported on February 21, 2017. She was born February 25, 1932 in Albany, NY. Mother Williams helped start and worked with the Refreshing Spring's Day Care, was a teachers aid in the Schenectady School System and was a foster parent and grandparent to many children over the years.
Karen L. Payst, 69, of Delanson, passed away Monday, February 20, 2017. She was employed at the Duanesburg Central School District as a paraprofessional until her retirement.
Sister Rita Catherine Haber (Sister Mary Rosina), 95, of Albany, died on Friday, February 17, 2017. She began her teaching career at Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School in Johnstown, working summers at General Electric. Sister Rita professed final vows on August 15, 1952. In 1949, Sister Rita began a 35-year career at The College of Saint Rose as an instructor and ultimately as Registrar.
Rosalie A. Riccio, 88, of Rexford, passed away February 22, 2017. While raising her children, Rosalie began working in the Greater Amsterdam School District, initially as a substitute teacher and later as a full-time guidance counselor.
Maureen C. Didier, 95, of Slingerland, died on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Miss Didier was born in Torrington, Conn. on July 5, 1921. She was a professor emerita at the State University of New York.
Eugene S. Cardamone, 69, of Averill Park, died Thursday, February 16, 2017. Mr. Cardamone was a professor of accounting at Hudson Valley Community College for 30 years. He was a member of the Institute of Management Accounants.
George R. Loucks, 69, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017. George started his career as a Chemistry Teacher at Ballston Spa High School in 1969 and then joined the General Electric Research and Development Center in Niskayuna in 1972. He retired in 2015.
Nancy Lee (Winder) Sherman, 86, formerly of Glenmont, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. She retired as the supervising nurse at its Cohoes pediatric clinic after many years of service. She was an adult literacy volunteer, and also worked in the classroom reading program in the Ravena-Coeyman-Selkirk Schools.
Helen Zyromski Aiken, 85, of New Bern, North Carolina, and Perth, New York, passed away on February 10th, 2017. Early in her career she worked in the field of dietetics in Miami, Florida, and also in the Broadalbin school district creating their first school lunch program.
Paul J. Komar, 85, of Ballston Spa, died February 18, 2017. After graduation from college, Paul entered the Marine Corp and continued in the Reserves and attained the rank of Captain. Paul was an art teacher in Main Line, PA and Allentown, PA. Paul served 37 years as an art teacher in Ballston Spa Schools, and retired in 1997. He served as Vice President of the Ballston Spa Teachers Association.
Randolph S. Gardner (Randy), of Sarasota, FL, passed away on February 7, 2017, at the age of 101. After the Pearl Harbor attack , he spent 5 years as a US Navy pilot. He went to the New York State College for Teachers at Albany, NY as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education and upon the transition of the college to the State University of New York at Albany (SUNYA), became the first Dean of the School of Education, retiring in 1973.
William "Bill" Finn, of Sugar Hill, GA, died February 17, 2017. Bill was an educator for 31 years, teaching math at Long Beach Junior High School, R. C. Murphy Junior High School where he served as department Chairman, and Ward Melville High School, all on Long Island. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan during the Korean War.
Dorothy B. Mason, 79, of Brunswick, passed away February 18, 2017. Dorothy worked for the George Washington School District in Brunswick, and later for Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, as an administrative assistant for many years, retiring in 1999.
Richard A. Leach Sr., 71, of Albany, died on Friday, February 17, 2017. He spent 34 years at Voorheesville in a variety of capacities at the elementary and high school levels. He spent most of his years teaching Health and Human Relations, started the school's nationally recognized Natural Helpers program, and received New York State Health Teacher of the Year in 1987.
Eugene J. Stefanacci Jr., of Clifton Park, born on February 27, 1940, passed away on February 18, 2017. Gene was hired by Shenendehowa Central School after college and spent his entire career there for 33 years as an elementary physical education teacher. He also served as a varsity football coach.
Raymond Merrill Smullyan, 96, of Hudson, died on Monday, February 6, 2017. He was a mathematician and professor emeritus of philosophy at Lehman College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York.
Joyce S. Caruso, 81, of Clifton Park, died Saturday, February 11, 2017. She She retired from the Shenendehowa Central School District in Clifton Park after 25 years of service.
Patti Ann (Hotaling) MacNaughton, 61, of Fonda, passed away February 11, 2017. Patti was born on October 2, 1955 in Amsterdam, NY. She worked at General Telephone Co. and later as a teacher's assistant at Fonda-Fultonville Central School for 22 years, retiring in 2010.
Richard M. Gilooly, Jr., 38, of Troy died Tuesday, February 14, 2017. He was a basketball coach for the St. Jude’s team of his daughter’s, a coach at HVCC, Shalmont, CCHS, Bishop Maginn and an assistant coach at RPI.
Mary Ellen (Kelliher) Halloran, 76, of Troy, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2017. Mary Ellen taught elementary school in Elmsford, N.Y., Menands and Troy, retiring from School 2 in Troy in 2000.
Barbara Rose (Bergman) Sternstein, 85, of Newtonville, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. She taught English at Cohoes High School for 23 years, retiring in 1986.
Maurice "Mickey" Shipway, 71, of Burnt Hills passed away on Friday, February 10, 2017. He spent his entire career in the Burnt Hills School District, first teaching mathematics for many years, and then becoming Assistant Principal, from which he retired in 2001.
Eugene Peter Whitney, 91, of Saratoga Springs, died November 17, 2016. Eugene attended Rome Free Academy, before being drafted to serve in the Navy during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he became a business teacher and athletic coach at several high schools and colleges.
Edith Ann ("Edie") Bate Taratus, 87, of Denver, CO, passed away on February 5, 2017. Edie taught second grade for 25 years at Castleton Elementary School in Castleton-on-Hudson, New York.
Timothy D. DuBois, 70, of Ballston Spa, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017. He was a Vietnam War Army veteran and proudly served in the 101st Airborne Division. Tim worked for General Electric, Cottrell Paper Mill, Quad Graphics, and retired from the Waterford Halfmoon School District.
Shirley J. Nobles, 86, of Colonie, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2017. Born in Albany, Shirley was employed for many years with the South Colonie School District.
Robert W. Bingham, 77, of Nassau passed away on Feb. 6, 2017. Bob was a U.S. Navy Veteran and served on the USS Independence and USS Leyte. Bob eventually went to work for the Ichabod Crane Central School District from which he retired after 10 years.
Kenneth H. Palmer, 80, of Hoosick Falls, originally from Nassau and formerly of Troy, passed into eternal rest Sunday, February 5, 2017. Ken dedicated over 30 years of service to the East Greenbush School District.
Sheri A. Duncan, 50, of Pittstown died Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Sheri was a secretary for 17 years at SUNY in various departments most recently in the University Center for Academic and Workforce Development.
Walter J. Blanchard Jr., 66, of St. Petersburg, FL, died Monday, January 30, 2017. He spent his teaching career dedicated to the amazing staff, families, and children at Pinellas (FL) Central Elementary.
Miriam S. Klempner, 90, of Schenectady, died Thursday, February 2, 2017. Miriam served in various teaching assignments in the Capital District.
Emily Scott-O'Hare, 75, of Queensbury, died February 3, 2017. She shared her love for the language we speak, read, and write with the children of New York through her 35 year-long teaching career.
Mary Carmen O'Neil, 78, of Rensselaer, passed away Friday, February 3, 2017. Mary began her career with the New York State Police as an executive secretary for the deputy superintendent. Mary raised her children and then returned to work for the Albany City School District as an administrative assistant until her retirement in 2000.
Vincent Paul Campbell Jr., 73, of Albany, passed away on February 1, 2017. Vince served the United States Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After returning home, Vince went on to work as the science labs coordinator for the Albany City School District before his retirement.
Raylene "Renie" Vics, 81, of Cohoes, passed away Monday, January 30, 2017. Renie retired from Berkshire Community College where she served as nursing program director of the L.P.N. program.
Irene A. Hazelton, 86, of Coxsackie, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2017. After retiring from Coxsackie Athens School District in 1991, where she worked for over 20 years, she enjoyed traveling.
Donald A. Alford, 88, of Halfmoon passed away Saturday January 28, 2017. Donald retired after a career with the Shenendehowa Schools.
Norman Greenfeld, of Albany, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017. He was born in Brooklyn on May 9, 1925 and served in the Army during World War II. He served as professor of Psychology at S.U.N.Y. Albany for 37 years.
Paul Phillip Caron, 70, of Clifton Park, passed away Monday, January 30, 2017. He more recently served as an educational consultant and worked at the Charlton School for Girls.
E. Westcott "Wes" Mangine, 90, of Minerva, passed away Friday, January 27, 2017. Wes served as chief school administrator with 27.5 years at Minerva Central School; at retirement he was the longest tenured superintendent of Schools in New York State.
Charles Roscoe Bulson, 88, of Watervliet, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017. He joined the U.S. Army and served as a Technical Sergeant. Charles taught at Ichabod Crane Central School for four years, School 1 in Troy for six years, and schools in the Cohoes City School District for 20 years before retiring in 1986.
Erica Lynn Ladu, 31, of Clifton Park died Thursday, January 26, 2017. She was born on November 8, 1985, in Ticonderoga. She was a teacher for the Shenendehowa Central School District, teaching in the Koda Middle School. Previously she taught at other local schools across the area as well as in Charlotte, N.C.
Carroll "Pat" Gilbert, 88, of East Greenbush died on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Pat was born in Albany. She was a teacher for East Greenbush Central Schools for over 25 years.
Richard E. Oboyski, 79, of Burnt Hills and Surfside Beach, S.C., died Wednesday, January 25, 2017. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served as the director of Financial Aid at Mohawk Valley Community College, Schenectady County Community College, S.U.N.Y. Cobleskill and assisted at Excelsior College after retirement.
Joseph Jarvis, 73, of Albany, died on January 23, 2017. He was employed at the University of Albany for over 33 years.
Gail Sykes Clayton, 68, died January 20, 2017. She was a native of Schenectady, New York. She was retired from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, NC where she was an educator for 16 years. She also coached the East Forsyth Track & Field and Golf Teams.
Doris G. Petronis, 89, of Mechanicville, died on Monday, January 23, 2017. She was a bus aide for the Mechanicville School District for many years, retiring in 1999. Years ago she was a bicycle messenger for the Watervliet Arsenal.
Eleanor "Elly" Lennie Corneilson Rice, 87, of Colonie, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2017. In 1952. Eleanor began a long career as an elementary school teacher in the newly formed North Colonie School System. She spent the majority of her career teaching at Southgate School in Latham, retiring in 1993.
Beverly J. Ross Servedio, 80, of Albany, died Sunday, January 22, 2017. She was raised and educated in Watervliet. Beverly drove a school bus for the North Colonie School District for 20 years before retiring.
Timothy Charles Miller, 69, of Rensselaerville, died Tuesday January 17, 2017. Timothy served in Teacher Corps., taught in a two-room bilingual schoolhouse in Norton, Vt., and for many years taught at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY. He also taught for many years at S.U.N.Y. Purchase, Fordham University and Teacher College at Columbia University.
Beverly A. Brady, of Albany, died January 13, 2017. She was 89 years of age. Beverly was born on December 17, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up there. In later years, she worked at the Schenectady County Community College as an instructor in the Math Department.
Beverly Ann Walrath Vespasiano, 85, of Little Falls, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2017. She was affectionately known by her husband's Mohawk IA students as "Mrs. V." For twenty years, she worked at Little Falls High School as Assistant Librarian.
Donata "Dona" Fiore Balascio, of Schenectady, died January 12, 2017. Dona was born in Schenectady, NY on January 18, 1928. Dona was employed by the 3M Company for 15 years and later worked as the lunch program supervisor for Hamilton Elementary School in Schenectady for more than two decades, where the students affectionately knew her as Mrs. "B."
Mabel E. (nee: Scarborough) Roque, 99, of Schenectady, passed away on Monday January 9, 2017. She was raised and educated in Vermont. She moved to the Schenectady area in 1943. Mabel was a matron and worked for Niskayuna School System for many years.
R. Jean Toma, of Cohoes, died January 13, 2017. Born on May 14, 1930, in Cohoes, Jean entered the order of the Sisters of the Presentation (Sister Mary Jacinta). After 25 years she left the order and taught briefly in the Troy City School District, before joining the staff at Cohoes Middle School from 1975-1992, where she continued her work as a reading teacher.
John (Jack) Meaney, 78, died Friday, January 6, 2017. Jack was an Army Veteran and served in the military from 1961-1964 as a combat engineer. During his retirement he enjoyed driving the school buses for handicapped children who attended various school districts.
Thomas R. McAuliffe III, 57, of Rotterdam, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2017. Thomas was born in Niskayuna, NY, and grew up in Scotia. Thomas worked as a Maintenance Mechanic for the last 10 years for the Scotia-Glenville School District.
Helen G. Moller passed away on January 4, 2017. She was born in Schenectady, NY on March 8, 1931. Helen was retired from the Guilderland School District where she worked as a school secretary.
Katherine J. “Kit” Schryver, of Westerlo, died Sunday, January 8, 2017. She was 61. She worked as a teacher’s aid at the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School for 30 years, having just retired at the end of June 2016.
Charlotte M. Purnell died on January 9, 2017. Charlotte was born in Boston on January 19, 1928. After her marriage, she moved to Schenectady where she was a teacher for many years. She taught neighbors' children to read and took children to the Altamont Fair to read poetry.
Barbara Ann Julia Roehr, 79, of East Greenbush, died Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Barbara Ann was born in Reade, PA. She was a cafeteria worker for Columbia High School in East Greenbush for over 10 years before retiring.
Joseph "Joe" Raymond Van Der Linden, 80, of Albany, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Joe served in the Navy from April 20, 1954, to November 19, 1956. Joe worked for Tobin Packing Company as a butcher; for the Voorheesville Public School District as a maintenance supervisor and then on to the New York State Senate as a supervisor of the Printing Department.
Nancy Dratch of Colonie passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017. She was a substitute teacher and tutor for the South Colonie Central School District.
Douglas Walter Aldrich, 94, of Saratoga Springs, died Saturday, January 7, 2017. He served with the US Marines from 1942-1945 until his discharge as Sergeant. From 1960-1977 he had a rewarding career as a professor and director of Student Teaching at SUNY Oswego.
Joanne E. Oxley Lebrecht, 86, of Rensselaer, passed away Monday, January 2, 2017. She was born in Cooperstown on February 21, 1930. She worked for 35 years at the old Van Rensselaer School as head cook.
Barbara V. Horton, 83, of Colonie, passed away January 1, 2017. She grew up in North Syracuse and worked in the North Syracuse school system until she moved to Albany in 1962.
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