Hoosick Falls

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.

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.

Hoosick Falls – Donald “Flea” Joseph Decker died on November 1, 2013, surrounded by his three children. He was born on March 18, 1946, to the late Edward and Rosella (Gates) Decker.
As a young man in the Vietnam era, his plans for college were disrupted by the draft, and at the age of 18 he was sent to war. His ability to run under a five minute mile with full gear on earned him the distinguished honor of joining the Green Beret attachments in Vietnam as a radio operator. He earned a Bronze Star for his service as well as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Oak Leaf Cluster and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Upon returning stateside, he went to work at Bijur in Bennington, VT, where he worked his way up over the course of 47 years. He spent the last nine years with Bijur living in Greenville, NC, cheering on his beloved ECU Pirates.
Don was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Southern Vermont College in Bennington. He was a dedicated community member and was a member of the Elks Club in Hoosick Falls, NY, for over 40 years, President and coach for the Hoosick Falls Little League and a Board Member at the Hoosick Falls Youth Center.
In 2012 he retired from Bijur and was able to move back to his hometown of Hoosick Falls to be closer to family. He was devoted to his family and thoroughly enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. Don is pre-deceased by his older brother, Edward, his twin brother, Denny, and his younger sister, Sally. He is survived by his younger brother, Pat Decker of Pownal, VT, his three children, Robert Decker of Hoosick Falls, Scott and Aimee Decker of Sarasota, FL, and Barbara and Jon Moore of Essex Junction, VT, his seven grandchildren and a very special friend, Kathleen Ferguson. He also leaves behind the entire Village of Hoosick Falls in which he had too many friends to count. In the words of Flea, “You gotta laugh every day…”
Relatives and friends may call at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street, in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, November 9, from 10 am until 1 pm. Services will be at 1 pm from the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Carknard Memorial Fund through the funeral home.