The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

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Mary Leeseman

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Pittsboro, NC – Mary Leeseman passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at The Laurels of Chatham in Pittsboro, NC.

Born in New York City, Mary was the daughter of the late Chris and Mary Leeseman of Hoosick Falls, NY.   She lived and worked in New York City for United Airlines.  Upon her retirement in 1990 she relocated to North Carolina.

[private] Ob-Leesemanweb  Mary enjoyed traveling and seeing sights all over the world.  She found pleasure in seeing her family and friends.  During her retirement she volunteered at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC and The Habitat for Humanity in Pittsboro, NC.

Mary is survived by her brother, Charles (Marilyn) Leeseman, her sisters, Florence Liporace and Louise (Michael) O’Neil as well as several nieces and nephews.  A special thank you to Mary’s wonderful Pittsboro neighbors Jim and Barbara Dixon.

The family offers thanks also for the compassionate care given to Mary by the staff of The Laurels of Chatham and Liberty Hospice Services over the last seven months.

Interment will be with her parents in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hoosick Falls, NY.  A graveside memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. [/private]

Susan J. Blowers

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Berlin – Susan J. (Roberts) Blowers, 58, of Herrington Lane, died suddenly, Sunday, April 5, 2015, in Berlin while visiting with family for the Easter holiday.

Born in Troy, June 15, 1956, Mrs. Blowers was the daughter of the late Harvey and Gladys (Herrington) Roberts and the wife of John E. Blowers Jr. of Brunswick who survives.

Susan attended Ichabod Crane High School in Valatie and was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal for several years as a custodian. More recently she was employed by the Stewart’s Company, working at the former Tamarac Plaza shop and later by Brittonkill Central School District until retiring in the late 1990’s. Most recently she has been a homemaker caring for her home, husband and son.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Blowers is survived by a son Christopher “Chris” Blowers of Brunswick, a brother, George Roberts of Petersburgh and two sisters, Betty Doty and Dawn Roberts, both of Berlin. She was predeceased by a son, the late John E. Blowers III.

At the request of the family there will be no calling or public services. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Berlin Rescue Squad, Box 269, Berlin, New York 12022 in memory of Susan J. Blowers.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home in Raymertown, NY.

Gerald Telford

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Hoosick Falls, NY – Gerald Duane “Gerry” Telford, 57, passed away on Tuesday April 7, 2015 at his residence on Abbott Street. He was born on May 19, 1957, son of the late Denver and Joan (McCart-Parizo) Telford.

Gerry was educated at Hoosick Falls Central School. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1978 to 1980. He was employed at the Delsignore Company in Brunswick, NY.

Survivors include his sons Jason and Jared Telford, both of Hoosick Falls, Jordan Telford of Troy, NY, sister Valerie (Michael) Hunter of Grand Isle, VT, granddaughter Clara Telford, two nieces Sarah Hunter and Lisa Telford and sister-in-law Maryalice Telford of Clarksville, TN. He is predeceased by a brother Glen Telford.

Funeral services were held on Saturday April 11, from the Mahar Funeral Home in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Helen Ellett

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Grafton – Helen Babcock Ellett, 101, died Sunday, April 12 at the Samaritan Hospital surrounded by her family. Born in Troy on February 16, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Frank Babcock and Frieda Wiegner Babcock. Helen moved to Grafton at the age of 2.

[private] Ob-ellettweb She married the late Chester Ellett and had a daughter, Constance Ellett Alderman of Grafton; granddaughter, Linda Laveway (David) of Grafton and grandson, Bill Alderman (Caren) of Berlin; a great-grandson, Daniel Baker; great-granddaughters, Heather Alderman, Jayme Cameron, Keri Alderman, Caitlin Alderman and four great-great grandchildren., MacKenzie, Jyden, Rylee and Connor.

Helen was employed by the New York State Conservation Department as a Forest Fire Observer at the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton for 18 years and retired from the NY State Department of Transportation in 1969.

Helen very much enjoyed horses and was the founder of the Grafton Trail Riders in 1948. Also a member of the Grafton Snowmobile Club in addition to the Grafton Merrymaker Senior Citizens.   Helen enjoyed fishing, hunting and travel throughout the US with her late husband Chet.

Without Helen’s adventurous personality, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and horseback riding would only have been something that Connie, Bill and Linda would have read about!

The family would like to thank family friend Helen Petrie for all her help.

Relatives and friends called at the Bryce Funeral Home in Troy on Thursday evening April 16.

A graveside service will be held Friday at 11 am at the Grafton Cemetery, Grafton, NY with Rev. Elizabeth Mowry, officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Helen L. Ellett to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave, Menands, NY 12204 or the Berlin United Methodist Church, 13 S Main St, Berlin, NY 12022. To sign the guest book, light a candle or for service directions, visit www.brycefh.com. [/private]

Richard Bentley, Sr.

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Berlin – Richard Bentley, Sr., 73, died Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT after being stricken at home in Berlin.  Born in Berlin on October 9, 1941, he was the son of the late Jesse and Dorothy Yerton Bentley.

[private] Ob-bentleyrichard A lifelong resident of Berlin, Mr. Bentley was a farmer before going to work for W.J. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin as a veneer operator for 25 years.  He then was employed by Taconic Plastics in Petersburgh for 13 years as an oven operator before returning to work for W.J. Cowee for three years before retiring 11 years ago.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and being outdoors.

He is the beloved husband of Josephine Crandall Bentley; devoted father of Joyce A. (Peter) Jones of Petersburgh, Barbara (late Stephen) Kellar of Berlin and Richard (Noelle) Bentley, Jr. of Waterford; proud grandfather of Justin, Matt, Katie, Tiffany, Courtney, Caleb, Alexis and Noah; great grandfather of Quinn, Logan and Alicia; brother of Sandra (Joseph) Wescott of Valley Falls, Allen Bentley of Center Berlin and the late Roger Bentley.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 1 pm at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh with Diane Mosher officiating.  Interment will follow in the Berlin Community Cemetery.  Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Wednesday prior to the service from 11 am to 1 pm.

Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com. [/private]

A Falling Tree Takes A Life

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Friday, January 30, 1835: Today I took the single wagon and rode to Lebanon. I went to the Shakers and took up two small notes that was paid up but for 74 cts and I paid the 74 cts in cash which makes all our accounts even with said Shakers. I then got a calf skin and they charged it to me, which was two dollars and 75 cts. I called to the milliners Mrs. MacCarters and got my wife’s mourning hat and paid 37 cts for the making and four cents for the wire.  Amos Chapman rode home with me and went on to watch with Mr. Newton. Today and night quite windy and stormy.

[private] Saturday: I carried my wife up to Goodrich Hollow to see Laura Surdam about working for us this season. She was not at home.

Sunday, Feb. 1: Today I walked over to see brother Isaac Newton. He remains quite feeble.

Tuesday: This afternoon I took my team and went over to my Rodgers swamp and drew a load of hard wood to Hiram Thayer and he owes me for the same, and then I drew a load wood to the school house.

Thursday: tonight we watched with Mother and Sarah for they were both quite sick.

Saturday: I took my team and drew Henry Ostrander two loads wood from Adam Brown’s lot near the river, and I charge said Ostrander 25 cts on account for the work.

Friday: Today I carried my wife to Mr. Sylvester Gardners and made a visit. We took dinner and supper to said Gardner’s.

Saturday: Today I drew wood from my swamp and chopped wood to the door and on the forepart of this week as I do hear by hearsay, I do not learn which day, Mr. Ebeneazer Tyler was killed dead instantly by the fall of a tree, it broke his neck.

Sunday: I and my wife rode over to see brother Newton, for he remains very low with the dropsy.

Monday: This forenoon I went with my team and fetched a load of furniture from the Widow Ryans for Alonzo Chapman to his house. He demanded them with a letter of administration but she did not give them up, or in other words she did not give leave to take them, but told him where the goods were. This evening I took my one-horse sleigh and carried my wife and Charlotte to Lebanon to Mr. Amos Chapman’s. We bargained with  Harriot Chapman to come and work for us this season at eighty eight cts per week and if we did not hire any other girl and she made the cheese and took the care of it and was able to go to all sorts of work we agreed to pay her one dollar per week. [/private]

Stephentown Historical Society Hears About The Erie Canal

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by David Flint

“Low bridge, everybody down!” Not just a song, those bridges on the Erie Canal really were that low, built low to save on cost. The canal boats just barely squeaked through underneath, and if you were sitting on deck, it was worth your life to heed the call of the Steersman. [Read more…] about Stephentown Historical Society Hears About The Erie Canal

Lions Club Penny Hunt Delights The Kids Again

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by Bea Peterson

It was 34 degrees on Saturday, April 4, for the Town of Hoosick Lions Club 55th Annual Penny Hunt that was delayed a week because of bad weather the previous Saturday. At 12:30 pm in Wood Park it was raining and sleeting. Fortunately at 1 the sun came out and there was only a spitting of snow. It was still, however, 34 degrees. [Read more…] about Lions Club Penny Hunt Delights The Kids Again