by Bea Peterson
Before presenting checks totaling $11,000 to Hoosick area organizations, Weir Foundation representative Norma Brenenstuhl asked Hoosick Town Historian Phil Leonard to review the life of Harry Weir for award recipients.
According to Leonard, Mr. Weir (1886-1963) was an active civic and business leader. He was long associated with the Noble and Wood Machine Company. He organized and was Principal Officer of the Peoples Gas and Oil Company, which served as agent for Texaco in Vermont and in Washington and Rensselaer Counties. He was on the Advisory Board of the National Commercial Bank and Trust Company, Director, President and Chairman of the Board of the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, Director of the Mary McClellan Hospital, Treasurer of the former Presbyterian Church and Trustee of the First United Church following their merger.
Weir was Chairman of the Board and contributed generously to the Town of Hoosick Youth Center. He was an active member and Vice President of the Hoosick Falls Committee for Industry, Treasurer of the Hoosick Falls Cemetery Association, member of the Kiwanis Club, the Elks Club, the Van Rensselaer Lodge F&AM and the Hoosick Falls Country Club.
In his will he left many bequests to local organizations and individuals. The remaining money was set up as a trust fund to be given out in the Hoosick area. In 1965 those funds helped complete the Town pool area.
Forty-six years after his death local organizations still benefit from his generosity and his commitment to the community. The slump in the economy has influenced his trust. Last year the committee was able to distribute $13,500, $2,500 more than this year.
Recipients receiving funds at the Cheney Library on Saturday were Carol Gaillard for the Cheney Free Library, Phil Leonard for the Hoosick Township Historical Society, Rita Kittle for the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Eric Amidon for the North Hoosick Fire Department, Norma Brenenstuhl for the Hoosick Falls Cemetery Association, Paul Corbett for the Hoosick Falls Health Center, Diane Hosterman for the Hoosick Area Food Closet, Bill Gaillard for the Hoosick Falls Community Band, Anna Brewer and Katy Gardner for Girl Scout Troop 1144, Nick Downing for Boy Scout Troop 65, Phyllis Chapman for the Barnett Homestead Vintage Voices and Delight Cullen and Pat Hayes for the Rural Rensselaer County Council for Health and Human Services.
