Berlin – Steven James Bell, 38, died Sunday, November 17, 2013. Born in Troy, NY, on August 30, 1975, he was the son of Evelyn Fields of Troy and the late James Bell. He was the foster son of Stacy Carreau of Bennington, VT, and David Carreau of New Jersey. Steve was raised in Berlin, NY, and educated in Berlin schools. He was a carpenter his whole life and was employed by Madsen Construction, HosCot Builders in Hoosick, NY, Fairdale Farms in Bennington and by Carpenter’s Local 291 in Albany, NY. He was presently employed by Henderson Johnson Construction based in Syracuse, NY. [Read more…] about Steven James Bell
Obituaries
Robert M. Reiter
Stephentown – Robert M. Reiter, 61, of Rte. 43, Stephentown, NY, died on Monday, November 18, 2013, at his residence surrounded by his family after a long illness. Born and raised in Troy, NY, Bob was the son of the late Thomas B. and Catherine Casey Reiter Sr. and the husband of Deborah York Reiter. Bob attended Troy schools and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He had resided in Stephentown for the past 35 years.
Elizabeth Marie Duprey
Berlin – Elizabeth Marie Duprey, 64, born on December 29, 1949, in Norwich, NY, passed away November 17, 2013, at the Albany County Nursing Home after a long illness. She is survived by her parents, Leon and Hope Duprey of Berlin, NY, and her sister, Adrienne and husband Thomas Irish, of Bay Palm, FL, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in the North Country. Little Rosette had a love of the outdoors and was an accomplished artist.
Funeral services will be at the convenience of the family, and she will be buried next to her beloved grandmother in Oriskany, NY.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 5 Computer Drive West, Suite 100, Albany, NY, 12205.
Her parents are very thankful for all the wonderful care provided by the staff at the Albany County Nursing Home through the years.
Arrangements are by the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh, NY.
Carolyn M. Surdam
Hoosick Falls – Carolyn M. “Khaki” Surdam, 76, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013, at her residence in Hoosick Falls, NY, surrounded by her family. She had resided there with her husband, Leo Surdam Jr.
Born on February 1, 1937, in Raymertown, NY, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Milford and Ruth (Cushman) Bornt. She was educated at schools in Lansingburgh, NY. Carolyn worked at Johnson Controls in Bennington, VT, as a purchasing agent.
She enjoyed bingo, bowling, playing cards, trips to the casinos and crocheting baby sets. Carolyn mostly enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and her husband spent winters in Venetian Parks Estates in Sarasota, FL.
Survivors, other than her husband Leo Jr., include their children, Shirley White and husband Billy of Bartlett, IL, Leo Surdam III and wife Deborah of Hoosick, NY, and Gerry Surdam of Hoosick Falls, her sisters, Shirley Borter of Troy, NY, Ruth Bornt of Poestenkill, NY, and Emily Bornt of Melrose, NY, her brothers, Harry Bornt of Ormond Beach, FL, Ken Bornt of Melrose and Roy Bornt of Troy. Carolyn is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stephen Surdam, Tanya Brock, Leslie Rousseau, Matthew Steichen, Lauren Soto, Tara DeCicco and Alyssa Surdam, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by five brothers, Carl, Milford, Bob, Ray and Paul Bornt.
Funeral services are Friday, November 22, at 11 am from the Hoosick Baptist Church on South Street in Hoosick. Burial will follow the service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Karen McGovern Memorial Fund through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, which is handling the arrangements.
Stephen J. Gaj, Sr.
Petersbugh/Berlin – Stephen J. Gaj, Sr., 57, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2013, surrounded by his family at Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke, MA. Steve was born on April 12, 1956, to the late Walter and Stefania Gaj. He grew up in Granby, MA, and started his own family there in 1978. In 1989, he moved to Petersburgh, NY. He remained in the Petersbugh/Berlin, NY, area for the rest of his life.
Steve was a racing and classic car enthusiast spending most of his life as an auto mechanic as well as an employee at Lebanon Valley Dragway where he could often be seen on the starting line. If he wasn’t at the track, he was enjoying the simple life that he loved, which mostly included spending time with his friends and family in a garage or next to a campfire. Over the years he also enjoyed hunting, played in several horseshoe, dart and softball leagues and was well known for his pig roasts.
Stephen is pre-deceased by his son, Stephen J. Gaj, Jr, his parents, Walter Gaj and Stefania Gaj (Gondek), and his brothers, Paul Gaj, Frederick Gaj and Walter Gaj, Jr. Survivors include his children, Paul F. Gaj and wife Jillian of Orange, MA, and Charlene M. Millias and husband Michael of Johnstown, NY, the mother of his children, Linda Larose, his grandchildren, Stephen, Tristen and Alivia Gaj and Maya and Eryn Millias, his siblings, Dorothy Bycenski and husband Joseph, Phyllis Horoszewski and husband Thomas, Richard Gaj and wife Cynthia, Peter Gaj and wife Robyn, Gail Holt and husband Frederick, David Gaj and Diane Lemire and husband Arthur, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services were held Monday, November 18, at the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh. Calling hours were from 10 am until 12 pm with a memorial service at 12 pm. Burial followed at the Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburgh.
Alberta R. Sears
East Nassau – Alberta Ruth Teal Sears, 68, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at her home in East Nassau, NY. Born in Troy, NY, on April 14, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Erwin and Helen Geerhout Teal.
Alberta enjoyed being with her family, camping, cooking and doing crafts.
She was the beloved wife of the late Kenneth E. Sears, Sr., who died in 2011, the loving mother of Kenneth E. Sears, Jr. of East Nassau, Wanda J. Sears-Lacey of Dalton, MA, Denise H. and husband Carl Schmidt of New Lebanon, NY, and Paul C. and wife Terry Sears of East Chatham, NY, the adored grandmother of Nicole and Kari Schmidt and Kenny and Kaitlyn Sears, the step-grandmother of John Archer, the dear sister of Evelyn Myatt of Poestenkill, NY, Elsie Miller of Stephentown, NY, Edie Robinson of Wynantskill, NY, Judy Marchand of Latham, NY, Beverly Stockholm of West Sand Lake, NY, and the late Esther Holt and Deese Teal. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home in Stephentown.
Andrew P. Bowes
Petersburgh – Andrew P. Bowes, 50, passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at the Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. He had resided with his wife Debbie (Messier) Bowes and his daughter Helen Bowes in Petersburgh, NY.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Andrew was the son of the late John W. and Helen (Yankowskas) Bowes. He graduated from Averill Park High School. Andrew enjoyed ham radio and was a member of the Troy Amateur Radio Association and the SOVARC radio group in Bennington, VT.
Survivors, other than his wife and daughter, include a brother, John Bowes of Florida, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also pre-deceased by a brother, George Bowes.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 16, at 11 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Troy Amateur Radio Association through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, who are handling the arrangements.
Shirley Margaret Bourn
Hoosick Falls/White Creek – Shirley Margaret Bourn, 86, died at home on November 12, 2013, after a long illness. The daughter of George Arthur and Ellen Margaret (Mooney) Prescott, Shirley was born at her parents’ home in Hoosick Falls, NY, on October 12, 1927.
Educated in Hoosick Falls, Shirley left school in 1943 to work for the war effort at the Specialty Insulation Company in Hoosick Falls, manufacturing distributor parts for military vehicles. After the war she was employed at the Hoosick Falls Undergarment before leaving to work at Tansitor Electronics in Bennington, VT, first on the production line and later in quality control. After Tansitor Electronics changed hands, she worked for a time at The Dress Shop in Hoosick Falls before leaving for employment at Stanley Tools in North Bennington, VT, from which she retired in 1990.
In her younger years, Shirley belonged to the Hoosick Falls Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. A former communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, Shirley was for many years a member of the Altar Rosary Society and the Church choir.
Shirley married Robert J. Hebert (deceased) of Hoosick Falls on May 16, 1946, with whom she had her two beloved children, Carol A. and husband Mark Folgert of Hoosick Falls and Donald P. Hebert of Johnsonville, NY. She married Carroll H. Bourn on October 15, 1988, who, since 2007, has cared for her at the home they built together in White Creek, NY.
In addition to her loving husband and children, Shirley is survived by her brother, Edward McNary Prescott of Bennington, her grandchildren, Justin Michael Levey and his wife Kelly and Brandon Matthew Levey, all of Florida, and many nieces and nephews. Her sister, Dorothea K. (Mrs. Forrest) Cherbonneau of La Puente, CA, formerly of North Bennington, pre-deceased her in 2009.
Calling hours are Thursday, November 14, from 5 until 8 pm at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls. Funeral services will be held at 9:45 am Friday, November 15, from the Mahar Funeral Home and at 10:30 am from the All Saints Church, 4935 NY Route 7, Hoosick, New York. Interment will follow the service in Woodlands Cemetery, Cambridge, NY.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
Georgianna Grogan
Hoosick Falls – Georgianna Grogan, 69, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT. She had formerly resided in Hoosick Falls, NY, with her late husband Gary Grogan Sr.
Born on August 17, 1944, in Hoosick Falls, Georgianna was the daughter of the late George and Hattie (Haviland) Slocum. She was a graduate of Hoosick Falls Central School. She was later employed by the Hoosick Falls Central School, working with many children throughout the years.
She is survived by her son, Gary Grogan and wife Holly, two grandsons, Dillon and Blake Grogan, all of Hoosick Falls, three sisters, Dona Mattison, Madeline DiMaggio and Cythnia Rider, a niece, Rosalie Hall and Robert, and her nephew, Zachery Hall, all of Petersburgh, NY. She is pre-deceased by two sisters, Helen Sherman and Myra Slocum, and one brother, Alvin Slocum.
The burial will be held at the convenience of the family. The arrangements are being handled by the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cheney Library through the funeral home.
Rev. Joseph L. Halloran
New Lebanon – Rev. Joseph L. Halloran, 87, died Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the Teresian House in Albany, NY. Born in Cohoes, NY, on May 30, 1926, he was the son of the late Joseph L. and Elizabeth L. Geiger Halloran. He moved to Troy, NY, at the age of four and was a 1944 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Troy. He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT, and did his philosophical and theological studies at Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University. He was ordained a priest on his 26th birthday, May 30, 1952, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany by Bishop Edmund Gibbons.
[Read more…] about Rev. Joseph L. Halloran