The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Obituaries

Lyman S. Snyder

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Ballston Spa – Lyman S. Snyder, 82, died Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Saratoga Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Ballston Spa.  Born in Petersburgh on August 19, 1932, he was the son of the late William C. and Jessie Jones Snyder.

Mr. Snyder was raised in Petersburgh and attended Hoosick Falls High School.  He drilled water wells for a brief period and then was employed by the Nancy Shoe Company and the Wood Flong, both in Hoosick Falls and  W.C. Cowee, Inc. in Berlin.  Most recently he was employed by Oak Industries in Hoosick Falls before retiring in the early 1990’s.

Lyman lived in Hoosick Falls for many years before moving to Cincinnati, OH in 2000 where he lived for eight years.  In 2009, he returned to the area and lived in the Doubleday Woods Apartments in Ballston Spa.

He enjoyed collecting coins, horseracing and bowling at the Barbecue Recreation in Hoosick Falls.

Lyman is the beloved husband of 55 years of Doris M. Brandalik Snyder; devoted father of Bruce (Cathy) Snyder of Yonkers, NY, Kenneth (Cathy) Snyder of Stormville, NY and Kelly Miller of Clifton Park; stepfather of Susan Maruca of Cincinnati, OH; grandfather of Christopher, Lauren, Steven, Jacob, Kristy, Kimberly and four great- grandchildren; brother of William (Janet) Snyder of Petersburgh, Mary Lou Hartnett of Bennington, VT and the late Edna Barnhart. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 155 Washington Avenue, Suite 210, Albany, NY  12210 or to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Suite 204, Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY  12205.

Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.

James Nealon

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Hoosick – James J. Nealon, 74, died Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady.  A lifelong area resident, Jim aka “Mr. Nealon” or “Cloud” was born on July 26, 1940 to the late John and Mary (Robinson) Nealon.

[private]  Jim was preceded in death by the light of his life, his wife Marie, who passed away April 19, 2012.  They married in White Creek, NY and raised three children Sean L. Nealon, Kathleen M. (Fred) Smith of Saratoga Springs and Marie A. (David) Kipp, Jr. of Hoosick Falls at the Nealon homestead on Elm Street in Hoosick Falls.  Jim was a 1958 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls.  He was also a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College where he earned a degree in Mortuary Science.

Jim proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps and his dedication to his family, friends, community and country embodied the Semper Fidelis Motto—Always Faithful.  Jim was an active member of the Town of Hoosick Democratic Committee and served for many years as a representative to the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee.  Jim saw politics as a way to help people and worked tirelessly to assist his friends and neighbors where possible. He was a member of the BPO Elks, Society of St. Stanislaw, the Derby Club, and the American Legion.

Jim retired from the New York State Assembly as Director of Operations nearly twenty years ago.  Throughout his public service career, he also continued to practice as a licensed funeral director.  Prior to his career with the state, Jim worked for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff.

“Mr. Nealon/Cloud” had many hobbies: playing poker in Hoosick, going to the races in Saratoga and down to OTB to “play the horses” with his friends, following his favorite sports teams, Boston Red Sox, Washington Redskins, and Duke Blue Devils, as well as fishing with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. He always looked forward to his March trek to Las Vegas with his son and friends from “all over the map.” Jim and his beloved wife spent many years during retirement enjoying each other’s company, traveling, and swimming at the Bennington Recreation Center.

In addition to his children, Jim leaves behind six grandchildren, Freddie, Suzie, Sam and Maggie Smith and Nora and Maxwell Kipp, a brother John of Florida, brother-in-law, many sisters-in-law as well as nieces and nephews.  Jim was preceded in death by his sister Mary Alice (Lyle) Scott and brothers Lawrence Nealon, William Nealon and Charles Nealon.

A liturgy of Christian Death and Burial was celebrated by Father Tom Zelker on Monday, April 13 at 10 am in the Immaculate Conception Church, 67 Main Street, Hoosick Falls.  Relatives and friends visited at the church on Monday from 8:30 to 10 am. A reception at the Sand Bar was held following the burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. To remember Jim in a special way, memorial contributions are suggested to the Karen McGovern Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please visit Jim’s everlasting Book of Memories at www.mcloughlinmason.com. [/private]

Anna Hoag

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Hoosick – Anna W. (Ramage) Hoag, 89, of Breese Hollow Road, died Saturday, April 11 at the Sweet Brook Care Center in Williamstown, MA.  Born in Cambridge, OH on February 15, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Martha Edwards Ramage.  She resided in Ohio for many years before moving to Hoosick in 1977.

[private] Ob-Hoagweb Anna was employed by the Grand Union Supermarket in Bennington, VT for many years as the seafood manager.  She also assisted her husband in the operation of Hoag’s Trucking in Hoosick.

She was the beloved wife of Richard “Pete” Hoag, loving mother of Darlene (Russ) Stillion of Senecaville, OH, Pollyanna Rose of Canton, OH, Ted (Connie) Hoag of Gansevoort, NY and the late Jim Hill.  She is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

Relatives and friends called at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh, NY on Thursday morning.  A graveside service was held on Thursday at 1:30 pm at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bennington VFW Post #1332, 137 North Street, Bennington, VT  05201. Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com. [/private]

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]