by Bea Peterson
Representatives from Hoosick area organizations made their way through several inches of snow Saturday, January 8, to the Cheney Library to receive checks from the Harry Weir Charitable Trust. Trust Member Norma Brenenstuhl presented checks to fifteen organizations totaling $13,000. Those organizations are the Cheney Free Library, the Hoosick Township Historical Society, the North Hoosick Fire Department, the Hoosick Falls Cemetery Association, the Hoosick Falls Health Center, the Hoosick Area Food Closet, the Hoosick Falls Community Band, the Fourth Ward Playground, the Girl Scout Neighborhood organization, Wood Park Senior Residents, the Hoosick Falls Senior Center, the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Boy Scout Troop 63 and the Rural Rensselaer County Council for Health and Human Services.
According to a handout from Town Historian Phil Leonard, Harry Weir lived most of his life in North Hoosick. He was an active civic and business leader. He started as a foundry foreman with Noble and Wood Machine Company. He was named Company Secretary in 1918 and later served as Treasurer, President and General Manager. After his retirement in 1960 he was named Chairman of the Board. He was the organizer and principal officer of the Peoples Gas and Oil Company, which served as an agent for Texaco in Rensselaer and Washington Counties and Vermont. He was associated with many other area businesses and banks.
Weir was Chairman of the Board and contributed generously to the Town of Hoosick Youth Center. When he died in 1963 he left many bequests to local individuals and organizations. The remaining money was set up as a Trust Fund to be given out in the Hoosick area. Several organizations still benefit annually from this Trust.
