by Bea Peterson
On Saturday, January 11, Norma Brenenstuhl distributed checks at the Cheney Library to various community organizations on behalf of the Weir Foundation. The Foundation funds are held at the Key Private Bank and administrated by Kari Oesterreich, CTFA. This year checks amounting to $9,800 were distributed. Norma noted that the amount was $1,354 less than last year.
[private]NHFD Thank You
According to a write-up from the Louis Miller Museum, Harry Weir was born in Cambridge, NY, in 1886. For most of his life he lived in North Hoosick. The North Hoosick Fire
Department held a special place in his heart, and the Department annually receives contributions from the Weir Foundation. This year North Hoosick Fire Chief Alan Bornt presented Norma Brenenstuhl with a special plaque thanking the Foundation for its support. The plaque will be kept at the Louis Miller Museum.
Weir’s Career
Harry Weir began his career as a foundry foreman at Noble and Wood Machine Company. In 1918 he became Secretary of the Company and later became Treasurer, then President, then General Manager. After his retirement in 1960 he was named Chairman of the Board.
He was Principal Officer of the Peoples Gas and Oil Company, on the Advisory Board of the National Commercial Bank and Trust Co. and on the Executive Committee of its predecessor The Peoples First National Bank. He was Director and President of the Permanent Savings and Loan Association and Chairman of the Board at the time of his death. He was Director of the Mary McClellan Hospital, Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church and a Trustee when the Church merged to become the First United Church. He was Chairman of the Board of the Town of Hoosick Youth Center and Vice-President of the Hoosick Falls Committee for Industry that brought Nancy Shoe Company to town. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Elks Club, Van Rensselaer Lodge F&AM, Hoosick Falls Country Club and Treasurer of the Hoosick Falls Cemetery Association.
When he died in 1963 he left several bequests to local organizations and individuals. The remainder of his estate was set up as a trust fund to be given to organizations in the Town of Hoosick. Funds from the trust made it possible for the Town Pool to be completed. Today that fund still offers support to the community he loved and served.
Recipients
The following area organizations benefitted from the Weir Foundation this year. Receiving the checks on behalf of the organizations were Carol Gaillard for the Cheney Free Library and the Library Children’s Room, Phil Leonard for the Hoosick Township Historical Society, Bill Gaillard for the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Eric Amidon for the North Hoosick Fire Department, Norma Brenenstuhl for the Hoosick Falls Cemetery Association, Laura Reynolds for The Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls, Diane Hosterman for the Hoosick Area Food Closet, Debbie Lohnes for the Hoosick Falls Community Band, Joyce Brewer for the Girl Scouts Neighborhood, Barbara Bouplon for Boy Scout Troop 63 and Eleanor Calhoun for the Wood Park Seniors.
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