Obituary: Ronald D. ‘Ron’ Wilday

In Obituaries, Obituaries - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer

July 10, 2024

Ronald D. “Ron” Wilday, 90, passed away peacefully and went to meet his Savior on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Ron was born in Albany on Jan. 14, 1934, a son of the late Adde and Mabel Porter Wilday. He was a lifelong resident of Westerlo.

Ron worked as a millwright at General Electric in Selkirk, and also was a welder, worked in construction, and in machine maintenance. He formerly served as a Justice of the Peace in Westerlo, was a member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the former Helderberg Hilltoppers Camping Club, and a member of the SOWERS ministry. Ron served as a deacon and trustee of South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and model airplanes.

Ron is survived by his wife, Mildred “Milli” Wilday; their children Ronald Jr., Laura, and James; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Elaine Wilday.

A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, June 22, at 1 p.m. at the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the church, 282 County Route 405, Greenville, NY 12083, will be appreciated. Condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com.

Obituary: Donald ‘Donnie’ Berkhofer

In Obituaries, Obituaries - Greenville, The Greenville Pioneer

July 31, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald “Donnie” Berkhofer, age 89, of Hannacroix, who peacefully departed this life on Friday, July 26, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born to Robert and Elsa (Techow) Berkhofer, Don’s life was a tapestry of hard work, love, and passion for the things that brought him joy.

He attended Greenville High School, and then Don ventured into entrepreneurship with his own excavation company before dedicating many years to his role as a heavy equipment operator at Atlantic Cement in Ravena, NY.

His commitment to his work was matched only by his devotion to his community, as evidenced by his long-standing membership of the Grange and the Medway Grapeville Fire Company.

Don’s zest for life was reflected in his love for Ford trucks, monster trucks, and the excitement of truck and tractor pulls. He cherished these interests and wholeheartedly shared them with his family.

Those who knew him often found him sharing laughter and camaraderie over retiree breakfasts with his work friends, or joyfully square dancing at local halls in his youth.

A true collector at heart, Don had a profound appreciation for antiques, particularly his beloved music boxes, which brought him immense happiness. Whether it was boots, farming and gardening, or delving into genealogy and historical records, Don’s curiosity and passion for collecting were boundless.

In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janet (Lounsbury), his daughter Charity Blake, his brother Robert Berkhofer, and several dear brother and sisters-in- law from the Lounsbury family.

He leaves behind cherished memories with his daughters, Darcy (Gene) Muntz and Jennifer (Dave) Millious, as well as his grandchildren: Taylor (Steven) Haley, Brittany (Daniel) Gerety, Austin Muntz, and Dylan Muntz. His legacy will continue through his great-grandchildren, Emaleigh, Kora, Harleigh, Seth, Benjamin and Luke.

Our family would like to thank his dear friends Paul Caswell, John Mann, and Pat Conway for being a big part of his life and to Cathy, one of his caregivers, for taking such great care of him.

In honor of Don’s life and passions, memorial donations may be made to:

Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 S Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202.

St. Jude’s, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Medway Grapeville Fire Company, 1352 County Route 51, Hannacroix, NY 12087, or,

Dormansville Church P.O. Box 162 Westerlo NY, 12193.

A Celebration of Life honoring Don Berkhofer will be offered on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, from 2- 3 p.m. at Dormansville Church, 21 County Route 312, Dormansville, NY, with a memorial service immediately following, to reflect on the love, laughter and cherished moments he shared with us all. He will be profoundly missed, but his spirit will live on in the stories and memories we hold dear.

Condolences may be left at www.ajcunninghamfh.com.

Event: Unbridled Sanctuary celebrates 20-year legacy of love

In Events, Events - Greenville, Horses of UNBRIDLED, The Greenville Pioneer

July 30, 2024

Unbridled Sanctuary will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a gala Aug. 10. File photo

WESTERLO – As the thundering hooves echo through Saratoga Race Course this season, just an hour south, Unbridled Sanctuary marks a poignant 20-year milestone in equine protection.

The Sanctuary’s story began with Stalwart Member, an iconic New York-bred Thoroughbred whose racing career included three victories at Saratoga among his impressive 18 wins.

It was the integrity with which Stalwart Member was retired by owner Sandy Goldfarb that inspired Susan Kayne to found Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation in 2004, now known as Unbridled Sanctuary.

Today, this haven is home to 64 equine residents, collectively representing over 1,000 years of sentient lives. This figure isn’t just symbolic – it’s a tangible measure of the Sanctuary’s impact, calculated from the combined ages of all current residents.

“Each of our 64 residents embodies a story of rescue and renewal,” Kayne said. “When you consider that horses can live up to 30 years or more, and many of ours are just teenagers, you realize the profound commitment of our work. We’re not just saving lives; we’re providing years – indeed, centuries – of care, love and dignity.”

Unbridled, with its thousand years of cherished equine life, offers a powerful counterpoint to the racing industry, highlighting the importance of lifelong care for these magnificent animals, according to Kayne.

“Stalwart Member showed us that every racehorse deserves a dignified retirement,” Kayne saud. “While Saratoga celebrates the thrill of the race, we honor the entire lifespan of these magnificent animals.”

The Sanctuary’s 20th-anniversary celebration on Aug. 10, promises an unforgettable experience, limited to just 200 guests, she added. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to connect with the Sanctuary’s 60+ equine residents, including 50 rescued Thoroughbreds, each with a story as compelling as Stalwart Member’s.

The gala features a musical lineup:

Cellist Will Hayes and Violinist Brooke Vincent (3-5 p.m.)
Harpist Leah Kidwell-Fernandes (3:30-5:30 p.m.)
GeoBeat Jazz Trio led by Dave Casner (6 p.m.)

Guests will enjoy a farm-to-table vegetarian feast, silent auction, and the chance to meet the Sanctuary’s beloved residents, including horses who once raced at Saratoga.

Tickets are selling fast for this limited-capacity event. Each ticket directly supports the Sanctuary’s mission of providing lifelong care to rescued equines.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.unbridledsanctuary.org

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Obituary: Ronald D. ‘Ron’ Wilday

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