The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

Hoosick Community Rallies To Support Center Street Families Devastated By Fire

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submitted by Deb Alter

Early Friday morning, January 24, there was a devastating fire on Center Street. Thankfully all the people were able to get out safely, but the two families who lived there have lost everything. Everything.

One of the families has two boys in elementary school. They have a place to stay but they need Hoosick’s help, and help is what we do best. It’s what makes us such a great community.

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Leo T. LaRoche

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Hoosick Falls – Leo T. LaRoche, 91, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2014, at his residence on Carey Avenue in Hoosick Falls, NY. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (Crowley) LaRoche, who died on February 10, 2012. They were married on November 28, 1940.

Born on November 20, 1922, in Bennington, VT, Leo was the son of the late Joseph and Irene (Betit) LaRoche. He attended school in Bennington. While attending school he worked at Evan’s News and at the bowling alley setting pins. Leo was drafted on February 10, 1942, into the United States Air Force. While serving with the ground crews in France and Holland, he loaded bombs and fused them. Leo also served with the 671st Bomb Squadron, 9th Air Force, until being discharged on October 17, 1945.

After returning from the war Leo was employed at Hoosick Falls Lumber. He also co-owned, with Arthur Surdam, L&S Lumber Company, worked at Harrison Vending, tended bar in Petersburgh, NY, worked at the Wood Flong and then worked at Oak Materials, both in Hoosick Falls, until retiring in 1984. He enjoyed woodworking after retiring.

Leo was a 61-year member of the Hoosick Falls Elks, a 65-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a 68-year member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the St. Stanislaw Society, all in Hoosick Falls.

Leo and Leo Jr. travelled across the country this past summer stopping at Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Denver and Mt. Rushmore.

Survivors include his daughter, Mary and husband Paul Haynes, and his son, Leo T. LaRoche and wife Elizabeth, all of Hoosick Falls, his son Michael LaRoche of Queensbury, NY, his brothers, Robert, Richard, Andre and Paul LaRoche, six grandchildren, Paul, Christopher and Kathryn Haynes, Matthew, Michael and Jay LaRoche, and three great-grandchildren, Carter, Lucy and Jessica Haynes. Leo is pre-deceased by a brother, Francis, and sisters, Martina Maloney and Claire Regini.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 1, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation through the funeral home.

Elaine Ogilvie

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Lakeland/Hoosick Falls – Elaine Ogilvie, 85, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 3, 2013, at her residence in Lakeland, FL, surrounded by her family.

Elaine was born in Rochester, NY, on January 4, 1928, to the late John and Ethel Brennan. She later moved to Hoosick Falls, NY, and married her beloved husband, the late William Ogilvie, in 1952.

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Leo Bartoski

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Hoosick Falls/Petersburgh – Leo Bartoski, 74, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the Bennington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bennington, VT. He had resided on William Jones Road in Petersburgh, NY.

Born on January 31, 1939, in Albany, NY, Leo was the son of the late Rosella Bartoski. He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls, NY. He worked at the former Wood Flong and at Speciality both in Hoosick Falls and later with the N.Y.S.D.O.T. out of the Petersburgh garage until retiring. Leo was a dedicated member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls, where he attended daily Mass and after gathered with friends at Bagels & Brew for their breakfast conversations.

Leo was always interested in the youth in Hoosick Falls, especially the sports programs where he coached numerous St. Mary’s Academy and town teams. He was much more than a coach, mentoring the youth throughout life’s situations.

Leo was also known as the “Detroit Anything Fan” – Tigers, Lions or Red Wings. He was a member of the Hoosick Falls Country Club where he enjoyed playing rounds with his many friends. He was also a member of the St. Stanislaw Society and the Elks. Leo was known for giving you a “good debate” on any subject. Leo is survived by several cousins and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Wednesday, January 29, at 11 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.

Calling hours were Tuesday, January 28, from 4 to 7 pm at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either St. Mary’s Academy, the H.F. Country Club or HAYC3 through the funeral home.

Building Wild In Berlin

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Date For Sweeney Cabin Show Is Bumped To February 11

by Bea Peterson

Nine pm this past Tuesday was the second show in the 10 part series Building Wild on the National Geographic channel. The show has created a great deal of interest in the area as all of the cabins were built within 30 miles of Hoosick and the co-star happens to be Pat “Tuffy” Bakaitis of North Hoosick. Generating plenty of interest as well is the cabin Tuffy and his Cabin Kings partner Paulie DiMeo built for Pat Sweeney and his son Ryan of Berlin. According to Pat, the show was originally scheduled to air on January 28, but it was later bumped to February 11.

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Hoosick Falls Looking At $2,645,400 In Sewer System Improvements

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by Bea Peterson

At a special meeting of the Hoosick Falls Village Board on Tuesday, January 21, the Board agreed to have the MRB Group look into various grant and loan possibilities to fund a $2,645,400 series of sewer collection system improvements for Superior, Church, Center, Willow, Railroad and Lyman Streets and Carey Avenue.

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North Hoosick Fire Department Installation Banquet

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by Bea Peterson

The North Hoosick Fire Department held its Installation of Officers Banquet on Saturday, January 11. Master of Ceremonies was Leo Surdam III of the Hoosick Fire Department. Pastor Michael Benoit gave the Invocation and Benediction. The delicious meal was catered by Jean’s Place. Fire Police and Officers were sworn in by Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff and Fire Investigator Paul Davendonis. [Read more…] about North Hoosick Fire Department Installation Banquet

BCS: Susceptible To Fiscal Stress

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by Thaddeus Flint

In the Superintendent’s report at Tuesday’s Berlin School Board meeting, Berlin Central School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Young made special mention of an upcoming event titled “New York schools STILL in fiscal peril: Our kids can’t wait another year”.  This will be a regional call to action of 47 school districts from the area to discuss what’s known as the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA).

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Stephentown Town Board Action – A Brand New Pickup Truck

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by David Flint

The Stephentown Highway Department has a new pickup truck. Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt reported at the Town Board meeting on Monday that Highway Superintendent Aldie Goodermote has received the 2014 Ford F250 truck with club cab, a purchase the Board authorized last summer. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – A Brand New Pickup Truck