Carl E. Butler (1938 – 2012)
HUDSON—Carl E. Butler, 73, a longtime resident of Ancram and Pine Plains, passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
He was born October 31, 1938 in Pittsfield, MA, the son of C. Edwin and Ruth (Cooke) Butler.
Mr. Butler graduated from Lenox High School and went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut.
On September 8, 1956 in Tyringham, MA, he married Diane Birkett. She survives him at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Butler moved to Pine Plains from Lenox, MA in 1960, when they purchased Prospect Hill Farm, the family dairy farm, where they milked and bred registered Holsteins.
Mr. Butler was a longtime 4-H dairy club leader. He was a member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County, serving on its board of directors twice, and as vice chairman and treasurer. Mr. Butler served two terms as director-at-large on the Agri-Mark milk co-op board of directors. He was a member of the Dutchess County Farm Bureau.
Mr. Butler was a member of the Eastern NY Holstein Club beginning in 1961, serving 17 years on its board of directors. He was made an honorary lifetime member in 1995. He was also a member of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, serving on the board of directors for 12 years, including two terms as vice-president and two terms as president. In addition, he served as interim CEO of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America in 1991. With his wife Diane, he co-chaired the 1993 National Holstein-Friesian Convention.
Mr. Butler served on candidate George H. W. Bush’s Agricultural Advisory Committee and attended President Bush’s inauguration with his wife Diane. He was appointed to the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, serving two terms, including one as vice-president and chairman of the research committee.
Mr. Butler was a member of the Pine Plains Lions Club since 1963, and is a past president and zone chairman. He served seven years on the Pine Plains Board of Education, serving one year as president. He also served one term on the Pine Plains Board of Assessors.
In addition to his loving wife, Diane, he is survived by: a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Linda Butler of Pine Plains; a daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and John Ketterman, Sr. of Mooresville, NC; granddaughter, Meghan Stanko and her husband, Capt. Stefan Stanko, USMC, and a great grandson, Ryan Joseph.
A memorial service was held Saturday, September 15, 2012 at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 7749 South Main Street, Pine Plains, with the Reverend Carol Miller officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Plains Free Library, P.O. Box 325, Pine Plains 12567, or the American Lung Association, 3 Winners Circle, Suite 300, Albany 12205.
Lawrence B. Myers, Sr. (1934 – 2012)
ALBANY—Lawrence B. Myers, Sr., 78, of Hudson and a lifelong area resident, died suddenly Saturday September 15, 2012 at Albany Medical Center.
Born June 30, 1934 in Ghent, he was the son of the late Bertrand and Alice (Best) Myers.
Mr. Myers served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1950s and was a truck driver for Harder’s Express in Claverack for more than 25 years. He was Justice of the Peace in Philmont from 1964 to 1967 and was an avid fisherman.
He was the widower of the late Joan (Decker) Myers.
Mr. Myers is survived by: one son, Lawrence B. Myers, Jr., and his wife Anne of Ballston Spa; daughters, Melodie Anderson of Hudson, Bonnie Haggerty and her husband Dale of Lake Worth, FL, Katherine Poirier and her husband Charles of Lake City, FL, Cindy Tracey and her husband Rick of Craryville, Tammy Shaw and her husband Brian of East Chatham and Kelly Wickham and her husband Martin of Cairo; grandchildren, Tonya, Samantha, Jaime, Michael, Amanda, Kayla, Brett, Blayne, Rick, Jr., Joshua, Amber and Alyssa; as well as, great-grandchildren, Adrianna, Damian, Grace and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Mildred Fitting, George Myers, Claude Myers, Clarence Myers and grandchildren, Kristin, Jacob and Amy.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, September 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 19, 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ken Coddington officiating. Burial will follow at Mellenville Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in his name are requested to Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue, 180 Prach Road, Hillsdale 12529.
Phineas Galvin (2012 -2012)
Walter Galvin (2012 – 2012)
ALBANY—Phineas Gray Galvin and his fraternal twin brother, Walter James Galvin were born September 1, 2012, the same night that they passed peacefully to heaven.
They were the sons of Joshua and Rachel Galvin of Ghent. They are also survived by their brother, Jack Galvin; paternal grandparents, James and Charline Galvin and maternal grandmother, Linda Belisle.
In their much too brief lives these boys brought love and hope and joy to their parents. They showed their parents the depth of kindness of family, friends, community, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers. Everyone’s concern for the lives of the twins and the well-being of the Galvin family has been a true testament to the capacity of human compassion. “They graced our lives briefly, but will live in our hearts forever.”
Phin and Walt were laid to rest at the Ghent Union Cemetery, September 5, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, the Galvin Family encourages those who would like to commemorate their twins to join The Arbor Day Foundation. With a $10 membership this month, a contributor will receive 10 trees to plant in the boys’ memory. Those who prefer not to plant the trees, can opt to have them planted in a National forest. For details visit: www.arborday.org.
To send online condolences visit www.frenchblasl.com.
