Jack Guterman
DELRAY BEACH, FL—Jack Guterman of Catskill died in Delray Beach, FL, April 30, 2012 at the age of 93.
He is survived by: two sons, Theodore Guterman, II (Nancy Cuddihy) of Red Rock and Frederick L. Guterman (Denise) of Greensboro, NC; two daughters, Jane Guterman of Boca Raton, FL, and Kathy Hansen of Vista, CA; six grandchildren, Seth Guterman (Lauren), Kate Butler Guterman, Marcy Crump (Jason), Steven Guterman, Samantha Hansen and Abigail Guterman; three great-grandchildren, Cecilia Guterman, Simon Guterman and Hadley Jane Crump.
Mr. Guterman was married to Fernanda K. Guterman for 59 years until her death in 2000. A son, Steven P. Guterman, also predeceased him in 1973. He is also survived by a brother, Arthur Guterman (Harriet) of Boynton Beach, FL. Another brother, Melvin Guterman predeceased him.
Mr. Guterman grew up in Brooklyn, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business in 1940. He then enlisted in the Navy and went to Officer’s Training School in Annapolis, MD. He saw action in the Pacific and achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. He was the captain of the cruiser U.S.S. San Bernadino, as well as the executive officer of the Walter X. Young destroyer.
Following World War II, he moved to Catskill to take over management of the family business, American Valve Manufacturing Corp, where he served as president for more than 30 years. After his retirement from American Valve, he started his own successful consulting company, which he ran until his death.
Mr. Guterman was extremely active in the Catskill community, where he lived for more than 60 years. He was one of the founding members of Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC), and served on the Board of Trustees for 17 years. Upon his retirement from C-GCC, he was named Trustee Emeritus for Life. He also served on the Board of Managers of the Greene County Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Catskill Central School Board of Education for 21 years, with three terms as president. He was also a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic School Board. He served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wassaic State School. Mr. Guterman was also a member of the Greene County Legislature and former councilman on the Catskill Town Board.
Mr. Guterman loved to play golf and was a member of the Catskill Golf Club for more than 50 years. Recently, the golf club honored him with a lifetime membership. He also participated in numerous local organizations and charities. He was an active supporter and advocate of the Columbia-Greene Community Hospice and was honored for his work at the 2009 Hospice gala. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the Catskill Elks Lodge, the Greene County Historical Society, the Athens American Legion Post and the Greene County Council of the Arts. He was a member for 65 years and past president of Temple Israel in Catskill. When his wife passed away, he took over as president of the Splash Foundation, a charity founded by her, and renamed it the Nan Guterman Foundation, which continues to make annual donations to many community organizations in Greene County.
Mr. Guterman leaves a legacy of leadership, integrity, community service and devotion to his friends and family, who will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nan Guterman Foundation, c/o Traver McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill 12414.
Funeral services will be at Temple Israel, Routes 385 (Spring Street) and 23, Catskill, Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11 a.m. followed by interment at Temple Israel Cemetery, Jefferson Avenue, Catskill. Friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon reception at the Catskill Golf Club, 27 Brooks Lane, Catskill, immediately following interment.
Lillie Gerrick (1907 -2012)
PHILMONT—Lillie C. Gerrick of Ghent passed away April 27, 2012 at the Pine Haven Nursing Home.
Born January 3, 1907 in Rensselaer, she was the daughter of the late James Frederick and Lucille Hunt Clark.
Ms. Gerrick graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1924 and attended Albany Business College. She worked for AT&T for 19 years, leaving to raise her three children. She then worked in the purchasing department of Sterling Winthrop Research until her retirement in 1972. After retirement, she worked part-time at the Payn Home. She had moved to Chatham in 1954.
Ms. Gerrick was a long-time member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was a former treasurer of the Lutheran Church Women, Church Council member, Synod delegate, sang in the choir and was a Sunday school teacher. She was also a life member of chapter #256 of the Order of the Eastern Star, a life member of the Court of Amaranth #100 including serving as a royal matron, the Chatham Chapter of the Columbia Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and assisted with the Chatham Nutrition Program.
Ms. Gerrick loved to watch the birds at her feeder right outside her window. She was an avid reader and a prolific producer of fine needle point.
She is survived by: her daughters, Jean (Gordie) Engel of Ghent and Elizabeth (Ron) Macfarlane of Old Chatham; her four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her son, Arthur Gerrick, her sisters Laura Gardner, Lucille Pike, Florence Vrooman, Ruth House and her brothers Everett, Thomas, Frederick and Charles Clark.
Family will receive friends Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, May 4, 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Those attending should gather at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at the Blooming Grove Rural Cemetery in North Greenbush.
Contributions in Ms. Gerrick’s memory may be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414 or the Ghent Food Pantry, P. O. Box 98, 2306 State Route 66. Ghent 12075-0098.
For directions or to send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Michael Demick (1988 – 2012)
STEPHENTOWN—Michael John Demick, 24, of Sutherland Road died suddenly Friday evening, April 27 from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident in the Town of Hancock, MA. His cherished canine companion, Bebe also perished in the accident.
Born March 16, 1988 in Pittsfield, MA, he was the beloved son of John M. Demick and Elizabeth “Libby” Potter both of Stephentown.
A lifelong Stephentown resident, he was a 2006 graduate of Berlin Central High School. Mr. Demick worked side-by-side with his father helping in his construction business. He was recently employed by Thermo Experts in Pittsfield, MA, working on the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany.
Mr. Demick enjoyed skate boarding, BMX racing, dirt bikes and more recently riding his “Harley.” He had a “zest for life” and loved his entire family very deeply. He was never afraid to show that love.
Besides his parents, he is survived by: his sisters, Erin D. Demick of Albany, Emily F. Demick of Stephentown; his best friend and companion, Nicole Sweener of Stephentown; his maternal grandmother, Katharine F. Potter of Stephentown; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A service to celebrate Mr. Demick’s life will be held Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m. in the Stephentown Federated Church, Garfield Road, where the Reverend Susan Schultz will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 State Route 43, Stephentown, Friday, May 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. for visitation.
Mr. Demick adopted his beloved Bebe as a rescue from the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. To remember them, memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534. www.cghs.org.