William Baertschi, 95, of Hoosick Falls passed away on October 8, 2017 at SWVMC. Bill was born September 3, 1922 in Potter Hill, to Emil and Martha Baertschi. He attended Hoosick Falls High School, and married Hazel Jones of Petersburgh on July 31, 1949. She passed away on May 25, 1996.
From age 16 Bill ran his parents’ farm ad his father lost his eyesight. In 1963 Bill became a custodian at HFCS. Subsequently he worked at a number of area factories, retiring from Oak Mitsui in 1987.
He leaves a brother; Harry, a daughter Linda (Frank) Redden of Hoosick Falls, NY, and a son Bruce (Amy) Baertschi of Springfield, MA. Also grandchildren Scott Redden, Christina (Cisco) Cordero, Casey Redden, and David Baertschi, and many nieces and nephews, plus 6 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years and his brothers Walter and E. Samuel.
Following his parents’ example, he lived his strong faith in God, which sustained him through many hardships in life. Bill and Hazel were Western square dancers. Bill was a volunteer for the VT Association for the Blind for many years, and was proud to often participate in the Bennington Relay for Life as a cancer survivor. He enjoyed Tuesday Senior Center card parties; Wii bowling and Bocce; weekly card parties in Shushan and South Cambridge.
He enjoyed music from an early age with his family, beginning performances with the “Baertschi Brothers” in the ’40s. Musical groups he belonged to include: Adirondack Fiddlers, Fiddlers Tour, The Spirit Band at St. mark’s Church, informal jam sessions with friends in Cambridge and several others in the past.
Funeral service will be Monday, October 16 at 10:30 am at St. mark’s Episcopal Church, on Main St., in Hoosick Falls. Burial will follow at Meadow Lawn Cemetery, Petersburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Hoosick Area Church Association, through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main St., in Hoosick Falls, NY, who are handling the arrangements.