The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Obituaries

C. Donald Hawks

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Eagle Bridge – C. Donald Hawks, 75, passed away on Thursday May 14, 2015 at his residence on Route 22. He was the husband of the late JoAnn (Marsh) Hawks who died in 2013.

Donald was born on November 3, 1939, in Cambridge, New York son of Charles and Gertrude (Sheffer) Hawks. He graduated from Hoosick Falls High School. Donald was a veteran of the United States Army where he served in Korea. He was employed at Delurey Sales & Service for twenty years and later for the Hoosick Falls Central School at their bus garage as a mechanic. Donald was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed vacations at Hampton Beach and Lake Lauderdale.

Survivors include his brother Jack (Belva) Hawks of Georgia, sisters-in-law Cherry Millington, of Texas, Patricia (Bill) Grennan of Hoosick Falls, NY, Kay (Howie) Wright of Cambridge, NY and Lori (Jeff) Gardner of Arizona, brother-in-law Donald (Karen) Marsh of Castleton, NY, also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the services.

Patsy Ruth Johnson

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Berlin – Patsy Ruth Johnson, 65, passed away at her home on Friday, May 15, 2015.

Born in Fayetteville, NC, she was raised and educated there and moved to Berlin following her marriage to Leonard C. Johnson in 1966.

She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed watching hummingbirds, gardening and growing flowers.  She was a past member of the Berlin Fire Department Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, Leonard; her daughter, Beverly (Ray) Weatherwax; her grandchildren, Britney and Blair Weatherwax; two brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, at two o’clock in the First Baptist Church, Berlin, NY. The family will receive visitors at the church for two hours prior to the service, from noon to 2 pm. Pastor Matthew Olson of the Berlin Seventh Day Baptist Church will officiate.  A private interment will be held in the Berlin Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144 in memory of Patsy Ruth Johnson.

Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home of Petersburgh is assisting the Johnson family.

Arthur J. Hess

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Pittstown – Arthur J. Hess 94, passed away on Friday February 27, 2015 at the Bennington Health & Rehab Center. He was the husband of the late Kathleen (Rushia) Hess, who passed away in 2012. They were married for sixty-eight years.

Arthur was born on October 14, 1920, in Springfield, Illinois, son of Albert and Rosa (Hoff) Hess. He attended Troy High and Hudson Valley Technical School. Arthur was a veteran of the United States Navy serving from 1943-1946. He was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal where he worked on projects with the space program, involving the re-entry space nose cone. He was a member of Victor Masonic Lodge in Schaghticoke, New York, Pittstown Planning Board, Pittstown Historical Society, 4-H Leader, Rensselaer County Agricultural Society and a director of the Maverick Drum & Bugle Corp.

Survivors include his daughters Connie (John) Gilbert, Kathy Hess-Reneau, Debbie Hess and Joyce (Arthur) Parmelee, son Bill (Sue) Spain, also seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by two brothers Albert and William Hess.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Mail Code 119, Albany, NY, 12208.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vermont for all the care they gave to Arthur.

Celebration of Art Hess’s Life will be at the Victor Lodge Masonic Temple in Schaghticoke, May 23, 2015 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.  Attendees are welcome to bring written personal stories of their memories of Art.

John Michael Skorupski

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Hoosick Falls – It is with heavy hearts that the large and loving family of John Michael Skorupski shares the news of his death.

John was a loyal and hardworking man who loved his family and his life. Born in Cambridge, NY, John lived in Hoosick Falls, Cambridge, Fox Hollow and Babcock Lake, NY, which has always been a touchstone for John’s entire family. Some of John’s happiest days were spent there, as well as at his hunting camp at Bear Swamp and sailing tropical waters with his lifelong friend, Capt. Lance.

Having spent some of his earlier years in Florida, “in retirement” John moved to Pine Island where he owned and operated the Olde Fish House Marina. With the help of his wife, Ginny, his son, Tom and Tom’s wife Jessie and his sister Margaret, it became a thriving business and hub for Pine Island fishermen, artists and musicians. This was the norm for John.  In the late 60s, John partnered with Jack Everett, a true friend and mentor, to create Florida Citrus Centers, his first business, followed by his own contracting business, hydro power plant, antique shop, and furniture repair and restoration business.

John was a natural born and self taught mechanic who, in his lifetime, owned machines of every description – not just cars and trucks but motorcycles, tractors, bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, boats and an airplane.

To John, there were no strangers. Wherever he lived, everyone seemed to know him. Approachable and fun loving, John enjoyed a good joke and a great story. He never held a grudge. Helping others was second nature for him and never a problem because he owned a tool for every task. He will be greatly missed by the many who will no longer be able to use “Dial A Dad/Brother/Uncle/Friend” to get advice on everything from home and car repair to life skills.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Zita Skorupski.

From his father John inherited a lifelong love of fishing, hunting, and outdoorsmanship as well as the priceless quality of integrity.

From his mother John learned to appreciate antiques and fine things which led to numerous collections ranging from cast iron implement seats and weathervanes to antique violins and bows.

In addition to his wife of 47 years, Ginny Bearup Skorupski, John is survived by three children, Edmund, Stacia and Tom (Jessie) and eight grandchildren, Eli, Anna, James, Jack, Eva, Steve, Stella and Everett, four sisters, Janice, Anne (Dan), Margaret, and Manya (Brett) one brother, Stephen, many beloved nieces and nephews and a cohort of in-laws who were also friends. Of his children and grandchildren, John was especially proud.

John lived his life to the fullest and was the captain of his own ship. He would say, “Grieve for me – but don’t let it hang you up.”

An early summer memorial gathering is planned in Hoosick Falls; date to be determined.

To honor those who supported and cared for John and his family, donations can be made to the Gabriel House at Mayo Clinic – gabrielhouseofcare.org.

The family requests that those who loved John give consideration to becoming organ donors.

Pearl Crandall Jones Burial

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A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 2 at 2 pm at the Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburgh for Pearl E. Crandall Jones, 74, of Hoosick Falls and formerly of Berlin who died on February 5, 2015. Arrangements are by the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh.

Darwin Crandall

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Hoosick Falls – Darwin F. Crandall, 93, passed away on Thursday April 23, at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls. He resided on Wood Park Lane with his wife Lillian (Diaduk) Crandall.

Darwin was born on February 16, 1922, in Hoosick Falls, son of the late Oliver and Viola (Babcock) Crandall. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II. Darwin was employed at Alteck in Watervliet, New York as a truck driver. He enjoyed bowling, hunting and golf. Darwin was a member of the Grafton VFW #6340 and the American Legion Post #13 in Bennington, Vermont.

Survivors other than his wife Lillian include his sister Shirley Wager, two half sisters Joyce and Caroline and two half brothers Dale and Wayne Crandall.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the care of the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, New York. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, 21 Danforth Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090.