Hoosick Falls

Hoosick Falls – Elizabeth A. Guiden, 84, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. She had resided on Mechanic Street in Hoosick Falls, NY. Elizabeth was the wife of the late Thomas Guiden, who died on December 16, 1985.
Born on September 9, 1928, in Hoosick Falls, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Joseph T. and Elizabeth A. (Nolan) Dwyer. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in the Class of 1945. Elizabeth also graduated from Troy Business College in Troy. She was employed at Oak Industries in Hoosick Falls until retiring in 1988. Elizabeth was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church. She was a former member of the Catholic Daughters of America in which she also held the position of District Deputy.
Survivors include her daughters, Ellen Guiden of Hoosick Falls and Betsy Sepehri of Irvine, CA, and two grandchildren, Michael and Keiana Sepehri.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 am on Saturday, June 29, from the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial 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, on Friday from 4 to 8 pm.

Hoosick Falls – Mary R. Cloke died on June 17, 2013, at 68 years of age at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, NY, after a 2½ year battle with scleroderma. This autoimmune disease deprived her of her usual energy, drive and ability to travel and enjoy her family and friends.
Born in Hartford, CT, Mary lived for a time with her parents, John C.W. and Jeanne Rowley in Weathersfield, CT. As a child she moved to the family home in Hoosick Falls, NY, and graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School in 1963. She graduated from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, Boston, MA, in 1965 and worked as a dental hygienist until 1969. In 1967 she married Edward Cloke and moved with him to Idaho as he completed his military service. While in Idaho their daughter Laura was born in 1969 and their son Preston was born in 1970.
Moving to Catskill, NY, Mary was drawn to the United Methodist Church, where not only was she a member of the congregation but served on the Board of Trustees and for a lengthy period served as its President. She was an active member of the Church and also assisted the employees and children in the operation of the Giving Tree Day Care. Active with the Brownies and Girl Scouts, Mary was always interested in activities involving kids, and the kids always seemed to enjoy her company.
In addition to her volunteer services with groups such as the Catskill Garden Club, Mary also returned to work and worked for Catalano, Leifer and Bruno, DDS as a dental hygienist for 21 years, retiring six years ago. She enjoyed her patients and followed their lives, children and interests, often seeing young patients from their earliest visits to a time when they graduated from school or college.
Another effort that was important to Mary was her trips to Guatemala with the Glens Falls Medical Mission, where doctors, nurses, dentists, hygienists and other medical personnel went into the backcountry to treat thousands of residents. Mary set up and worked in the dental clinic and fondly recalled her trips, the people with whom she worked and the Guatemalans who were so thankful for treatment they would never have without the Mission.
Often referred to as the “Energizer Bunny,” in view of her tireless energy, it was difficult to see her sapped of that energy and rendered almost housebound. She was a fighter and was often described by nurses as “tough.”  Despite her illness, Mary always maintained a positive attitude and was concerned about the welfare of others.
Mary is pre-deceased by her parents, and a brother, David. She is survived by her husband, Edward G. Cloke, her daughter, Laura J. Cloke, her son-in-law, Thomas Grouard, her granddaughter, Margot, who at 2½ years old always brought a smile to “Grandma’s” face, her son, Preston E. Cloke, her sister, Nancy Hickey, her brother-in-law, Richard, her sister-in-law, Joyce, and her brother-in-law, Ken Statler, as well as a number of nieces and nephews and their children.
Mary’s wish was to be cremated, and that will be accomplished with the assistance of the Traver-McCurry Funeral Home. A memorial service will be conducted on June 29 at the United Methodist Church, 40 Woodland Avenue, Catskill, NY. Viewing at the Church will be from 9 to 11:30 am, with the service at 11:30 am. Luncheon will follow the service in the Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Hoosick Falls – John Joseph Stuka, was known as “Mush” to everyone who knew him growing up in the Clay Hill section of Hoosick Falls, NY. Born on September 23, 1917, Mush was the son of Andrew and Rozalia (Symolon) Stuka. He was the husband of the late Janet Carolyn (Wright) Stuka, who died on February 18, 2001. They were married on November 18, 1939, and were together for sixty-two years.
Mush enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 16, 1943. He was a ball turret gunner in a B-24 named Lady Luck. Between April 29, 1944, and August 22, 1944, he flew a total of fifty-one combat sorties, some of them to the Ploesti oil refineries on the 10th and 17th of August, 1944. In June of 1944 the Lady Luck was involved in the Vienna, Austria, bombing, and the crew was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Among other medals awarded the crew were two Air Medals and two Distinguished Cross Medals with four bronze battle stars.
Mush was formerly employed at Wright Way Laundry in Bennington, VT, owned by his brothers-in-law, Lester and Arthur Wright. He was also employed at the Specialty Mfg. Company and retired in May of 1986 from the former Wood Flong Corp., both in Hoosick Falls.
In his youth he played baseball for the City League in Hoosick Falls and was known as “First Ward’s Steller Pitcher.” He was second in batting averages with an average of .425. Mush attended St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. He also enjoyed gardening and loved teasing his grandchildren with his famous cucumber in a bottle trick. He was famous for his sense of humor and quick wit. Mush had many favorite fishing spots at Babcock Lake where he spent many summers at the family camp.
He is survived by two daughters, Emmy Piritz and husband Carl of Hoosick Falls and Rosemarie Cave of Liverpool, NY, a son, William Stuka of Wells, NY, and eight grandchildren, Michael and Robert Piritz, Lisa Davis, Adam, Janet and Ethan Foucher, Brandon and Jennifer Stuka. He is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by four sisters, Helen Coulter, Florence Scoville, Clara Pettibone and Sophie Petralia.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 22, with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. Arrangements were by the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls.
The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, the staff at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls and Dr. Marcus Martinez for their kind and loving care.