The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Front Page

Walter John Davendonis

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Hoosick Falls – Walter “Wally” John Davendonis, 90, passed away peacefully at his residence on October 26, 2013, after a long illness. Wally was born February 3, 1923, in Hoosick Falls, NY, and was the son of the late John and Cecelia (Zabela) Davendonis.
He attended St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. At the age of seventeen he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in Lovelock, AZ. Upon returning to New York he worked at the Watervliet Arsenal prior to joining the United States Navy during WW II, proudly serving as a Gunner’s Mate, 2nd Class.
Upon his return to Hoosick Falls, he met and married Margaret “Peg” Whittet who pre-deceased him in 1988. Wally owned and ran his plumbing and heating business, then worked at the Hoosac School. He served as a Village Trustee and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Polish Hall, Pioneer Fish and Game Club, VFW and American Legion, all in Hoosick Falls. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed taking a daily chance on the NY Lottery and Win for Life.
Mr. Davendonis is also pre-deceased by his son, Scott, an infant son, a granddaughter, Emily DeLuca, his sisters Anne Como and Helen “Nellie” Toohey, and his brothers Ralph, Anthony, Peter and John Davendonis.
He is survived by his children, Christina and husband Walter Passineau, Margaret and husband Wayne Dukette, Thomas and wife Kim Davendonis, Elizabeth and husband Leo LaRoche, Janet DeLuca and Paul and wife Edith Davendonis, his daughter-in-law, Nancy Davendonis, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, with one on the way, his sister, Adelia and husband Raymond St. Hilaire, his sister-in-law, Eileen Davendonis, and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 29, at 10 am from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the Mass at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090, on Monday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Rensselaer County Community Hospice or the Veterans Honor Flight through the funeral home.

Gertrude Hoffman

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Hoosick – Gertrude (North, Bentley) Hoffman, 90, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at her daughter’s house in Rotterdam, NY, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Lawrence P. Bentley and then married the late John H. Hoffman.
Born on January 1, 1923, in Potter Hill, NY, Gertrude was the daughter of the late Arthur and Edith (Burgess) North. She graduated from the Walter A. Wood High School in Hoosick Falls, NY, in 1940. Gertrude worked as a sewing machine operator for the Cluett & Peabody Company and the Arrow Shirt Company, both in Troy, NY, until retiring in 1985. She was a former member of the Eagles in Hoosick Falls, the Old Potter Hill Methodist Church and the Senior Citizens in Troy.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Gaige and husband Galen of Schenectady, NY, and her step-sons, John Allen and Donald Hoffman and wife Susan, both of Stephentown, NY. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, several nieces and nephews and two brothers-in-law, Robert Bentley of Troy and Robert Foley. Gertrude is pre-deceased by a daughter, Hazel Foley, two sisters, Mabel Worthington and Mildred Pilling, and two brothers, James North Sr. and Arthur North.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 2, at 1 pm from the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, 12090. Burial at the Hoosick Rural Cemetery in Hoosick will follow the service. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 am until the start of the service. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to The Joan Nicole Prince Home or the Community Hospice of Schenectady County.