Roger Miner, federal judge, former DA
GREENPORT—The Honorable Roger J. Miner, senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, passed away peacefully at his Greenport home February 18, 2012.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jacqueline (Mariani) Miner, former vice chairman of the New York State Republican Party; his sons, Larry (Lisa) Miner of Santa Monica, CA, Ronald Carmichael of Alexandria, VA, Ralph (Rose) Carmichael of Phoenix, AZ, Mark (Robin) Miner of Austin, TX; his brother, Lance (Maryellen)Miner of Greenport; his six grandchildren, Sydney Miner, Zachary Miner, Evan Miner, Joshua Miner, Clayton Carmichael, Ciana Carmichael; his nephew, Aaron (Erin) Miner and niece, Anne Miner.
Judge Miner graduated cum laude from New York Law School in 1956 and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Judge Advocate Generals Corps, where he rose to the rank of captain.
In 1959, he joined his father, Abram Miner in private practice in Hudson. From 1961 to 1964, he served as corporation counsel for the City of Hudson. He was an assistant district attorney for Columbia County from 1964 to 1968. He served as district attorney for Columbia County from 1968 to 1975.
In 1976, Judge Miner was elected New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial Department. President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Miner to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 1981 and to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1985, where he has served since that time. In 1987, Judge Miner was one of three top candidates under consideration for appointment to the United States Supreme Court.
Judge Miner was a lifetime member of Congregation Anshe Emeth, Greenport.
The family will greet friends from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, February 22 at the Bates & Anderson Funeral Home, Hudson. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Congregation Anshe Emeth, 240 Joslen Boulevard, Greenport. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Congregation Anshe Emeth. To send online condolences visit www.batesanderson.com
Katherine Kwacz, 92, seamstress, brought joy through cooking
HUDSON—Katherine “Kasia” Kwacz passed away peacefully February 17, 2012, at the hospice unit at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
She was born November 25, 1919 in Farrell, PA to the late John and Emilia (nee Laukiel) Kolenda.
Her family moved back to Poland in 1922 when she was three years old. Her U.S. citizenship by birth was her dowry in her arranged marriage at age 19 to Walter Kwacz, whose family had the resources to send their new daughter-in-law back to the U.S. in 1939. Mr. Kwacz was to follow his new bride, but the outbreak of World War II and other complexities kept the couple an ocean apart until 1959, when he finally joined his wife in Brooklyn.
The couple moved to Stuyvesant in 1961, just prior to the birth of their daughter, Kristina.
Mrs. Kwacz worked for many years as a seamstress at Reilly Mills in Valatie. In 1972, she traveled to Poland to see her beloved mother for the first time since her emigration to the U.S. Emblematic of the Polish women of her generation, she managed her household into her 80s and mowed her lawn until age 88. She brought joy to many through her cooking, especially Polish golapki. In recent years, Mrs. Kwacz spent most waking hours crocheting hats, neckpieces and afghans for a number of friends and charities. She also sold a few to provide herself with additional yarn.
Mrs. Kwacz was a communicant of the Church of St. Joseph, formerly St. Mary’s, in Stuyvesant Falls; a member of their Ladies’ Guild and a charter member of the Stuyvesant, and now Stockport, Senior Citizens’ Club.
She is survived by Kristina Kwacz, her only child, though she also served as surrogate “Polish Mama'” to Anna Biernacki Berry and “Babcia Kasia” to Sofia and Gabrielle Berry. She was predeceased by her brothers, Felix, Victor, Edward and John; sister, Janina and husband, Walter.
Calling hours will be Monday, February 20, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Bond Funeral Home, Valatie. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 21 at the Church of St. Joseph, 1820 Route 9, Stuyvesant Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of St. Joseph, 1820 Route 9, Stuyvesant 12173 or Community Hospice, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
