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.
Local News
Gertrude Hoffman
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.
Movie Event Is A Hit In Berlin
by Sherry Bowman Kluck
On Friday, October 25, more than 60 people gathered at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Berlin for a viewing of “Home Run,” the story of fictional baseball star – and alcoholic – Cory Brand, whose abusive childhood set him on the road toward personal destruction. Attendees of the movie event were treated to popcorn, soda, cookies and other snacks, all provided free of charge through the Church’s teen outreach, The Landing. Based on the Christian treatment program Celebrate Recovery, which is featured in “Home Run,” The Landing helps teens overcome their hurts, habits and hang-ups and recently celebrated its one year anniversary at the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Although “Home Run” deals with very serious topics, the October 25 event was a positive experience for all, as they learned more about the hope that is offered to our local youth through The Landing program.
Halloween Or The Political Season?
Stephentown Town Board Action – Crime Story
by David Flint
Another Arrest In Holloway Incident
On Monday the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office announced that Sheriff’s Investigators had arrested one more individual for the criminal behavior involved in the incident that took place at retired NFL player Brian Holloway’s property in Stephentown. [Read more…] about Stephentown Town Board Action – Crime Story
Petersburgh Town Board Action – Large Tax Increase Debated
by Alex Brooks
On Monday, October 21, the Petersburgh Town Board held public hearings about overriding the 2% tax cap and about the Preliminary Town Budget, which currently contains a tax levy increase of 9.6%.
[Read more…] about Petersburgh Town Board Action – Large Tax Increase Debated
Grafton Town Board Action – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
by Kieron Kramer
To the neutral observer, the public comment period of the Grafton Town Board meeting on Monday, October 21, resembled mud wrestling more than a responsible expression of residents’ concerns. There was so much mud flying that it was hard to tell who was who, everyone was covered – Democrats and Republicans, Town Clerk supporters and detractors, Supervisor supporters and detractors. [Read more…] about Grafton Town Board Action – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Halloween Fun For Kids And Pets
Calling all HF kids! Whether your costume is creepy, spooky, silly, whimsical, amusing, artistic, clever, creative, unique, adorable, charming, pretty, dapper or elegant, come show it off at the Hoosick Falls Halloween parade on Wednesday, October 30, at 6 pm starting at Wood Park. [Read more…] about Halloween Fun For Kids And Pets
HAYC3 Receives National Recognition
news release
HAYC3’s Community Coalition has received recognition from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) with the award of a major U.S. grant. HAYC3 was named as one of only nineteen community coalitions in the entire nation to receive a Drug Free Communities (DFC) Mentoring Coalition Grant. One of the notable and exciting aspects about the grant is that HAYC3 is the only rural coalition awarded this grant. All of the others were urban communities. [Read more…] about HAYC3 Receives National Recognition
Stephentown Webelos Clean Up Historic Tifft Cemetery
by David Flint
The boys, and girl, of the Webelos of Stephentown Cub Scout Pack 911 cleaned the historic Tifft Cemetery. They were led by Cub Scout Leader Samantha Bink and supervised by several members of the Stephentown Historical Society (SHS) Cemetery Committee. [Read more…] about Stephentown Webelos Clean Up Historic Tifft Cemetery