Colette Frances Vanderveer (1928 – 2014)
S. EGREMONT, MA—Colette Frances Vanderveer of South Egremont, Massachusetts, peacefully transitioned back to spirit February 25 at 7 a.m. at home with friends and family.
She was born to Wyllys and Regina Keeney in Brooklyn, February 4, 1928.
Mrs. Vanderveer was predeceased by her husband, Herbert; her son, Geoffrey and her granddaughter, Michelle.
She will be sorely missed by: her daughters, Victoria, Regina and Jennifer; her sons, Peter and Mitchell; her daughters-in-law, Mary and Lucia; her grandchildren, Kimberly, Clarice, Geoffrey and Tracy and her great-grandchildren, Joseph, Bailey and Chloe.
A beloved teacher with a full appreciation of life, an active lover of animals and a lively member of her church, Mrs. Vanderveer gathered countless friends who loved her dearly.
A Memorial Mass was held Saturday, February 28, 2014 at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 8074 State Route 22 in Copake Falls followed by a reception at the church.
Spring interment will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to Hospice of the Berkshires, 877 South Street, Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA 01201 would be appreciated by the family.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home of Copake. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Kenneth D. VanAlstyne (1928 – 2014)
VALATIE—Kenneth D. VanAlstyne, loving husband and father, died peacefully, February 25, 2014 at the age of 85.
He was born April 17, 1928 in Albany to William D. and Gertrude (Doyle) VanAlstyne.
He graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook. He was owner/partner of Van Alstyne’s Garage from 1955 until his retirement in 2000.
He was an avid bowler and played baseball in the Columbia County Twilight League. He was a great baseball fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a 64-year charter and life member of Stuyvesant Fire Company #1, and a former line officer and commissioner. He was a member of the Stuyvesant Reformed Church and a choir member for 71 years.
He is survived by: his wife, Elizabeth J. (Cross) VanAlstyne; two daughters, Jo-Ann (Kazmo) Jakiela and Sandra (Michael) Myers; four beloved grandchildren, Kerstin and Kasey Jakiela, Tyler and Kimberly Myers; his brother, William D. VanAlstyne (Arlene); a nephew, William D. VanAlstyne, III, (Linda); a niece, Darla Skiermont (Richard) and several cousins.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, March 2 at the Stuyvesant Reformed Church with the Reverend Edward VanKampen officiating. There will be no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the Stuyvesant Fire Company #1, P.O. Box 146, Stuyvesant 12173 or the Stuyvesant Reformed Church, c/o Robert Allen, 250 Sharptown Road, Stuyvesant 12173.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Akira Hamaguchi (1945 – 2014)
HUDSON—Akira Hamaguchi died Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Japan, January 2, 1945 and came with his family to California as a teenager in 1960.
He graduated from San Pedro High School in 1963, where he was active in the drama department and a member of the swim team.
He married after graduation and worked in his step-father’s gardening business. His beloved daughter died of leukemia when she was almost nine years old. He carried the pain of that loss throughout his life.
Mr. Hamaguchi traveled across the United States, from Texas to Colorado, where he studied with a master chef and spent many years there perfecting his craft. He arrived in Albany in 1990, where he found work as an assistant chef. Mr. Hamaguchi was diagnosed with cancer and endured many surgeries and hospitalizations during his time in the northeast. He came through his ordeal with strength and determination.
He arrived in Hudson around 1998. He became active in the community garden, one of his great loves, and he worked in a few local restaurants, including the WunderBar. He began volunteering at The Second Show around 2000, and soon became a regular fixture there, making many friends of both staff, volunteers and customers. He was a dedicated, dependable and hard-working member of their staff. His language skills came in handy with the Spanish and French speaking customers.
Mr. Hamaguchi was particularly fond of the neighborhood dogs (that always knew where he stored the treats) and was very kind and welcoming to small children who would be shopping with their parents. He’d smile at them, say “Hi!” and remember his own daughter at that age.
Mr. Hamaguchi was very artistic. He loved to paint, make origami mobiles and craft lamps and screens. He was a baseball fan—especially of the Japanese members of various American teams. He looked forward to fishing off the coast of Massachusetts with his good friend. Mr. Hamaguchi loved to watch Japanese television programs on his satellite dish. He kept up his love of gardening, planting vegetables as well as flowers.
Mr. Hamaguchi made a family for himself in Hudson, with many friends and acquaintances throughout the community who will miss his smiling face.
There will be a memorial service for Mr. Hamaguchi in a few months, the day and time to be announced. Organizers are waiting for several of his close friends to return to Columbia County this spring. That is also the time of year that he loved the most, when the flowers and trees were beginning to blossom.
The Second Show is taking up a collection to help with the cost of the final arrangements. Donations may be made to them at 519 Warren Street, Hudson 12534.
Arrangements are with the Bates and Anderson – Redmond and Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson.
Raymond Spencer Brown (1932 – 2014)
HUDSON—Raymond “Brownie” Spencer Brown of Greenport passed away Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born September 10, 1932 in Hudson, he was the son of the late Raymond and Helen (Shufelt) Brown.
Mr. Brown is survived by: his wife, Shirley A. (Gumprecht) Brown, who he married March 26, 1955; three children, Barry Brown, Cindy (Joe) Keeler and Suanne (Edward) Nitsky; nine grandchildren, Brett and Darren Keeler, Joshua and Travis Brown, Tabitha (William Brash), Taran, Treven, Taylor (Reginald) Scantlebury and Tate Nitsky; five great-grandchildren, Willa Brash, Natailya, Niyia and Nadia Spencer and Liam Scantlebury; his brother, Wesley (Lois) Brown of Cary, NC.
Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War and attained the rank of radioman second class. He worked and managed A & P Stores in Coxsackie and Hudson and retired from Williams Lumber in 1994. After retiring he worked for Columbia County.
He was a sports fan of the Red Sox, the Mets, and the Atlanta Braves. Mr. Brown also loved playing golf. He coached and managed Little League and Babe Ruth teams. He was a life member of Greenport Fire Company #3, the Stuyvesant Falls VFW, the Hudson American Legion, and a former member of the Hudson Elks.
He will miss his weekly luncheons with hi
s good friends-Fran, Smokey and Dave.
Visiting hours are 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 2 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 3 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery in Claverack.
Donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany 12205 or to the American Diabetes Association, Pine West Plaza Building 2, Suite 204, Washington Avenue Extension, Albany 12205.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Rose M. Surrano (1922 – 2014)
HUDSON—Rose M. Surrano was born October 6, 1922 in Hudson. She entered into eternal peace Tuesday, February 25, 2014, with her family by her side.
For 15 years she fought significant health issues, but could not overcome this final battle.
Mrs. Surrano was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband of 66 years, Francis P. Surrano (Sox); her parents, Joseph and Mary Torchia and her brothers, Ralph, Anthony, Thomas, Pat and Frank.
Mrs. Surrano was a wonderful cook and homemaker. She was a talented seamstress, an exceptional baker and she loved shopping with her daughters. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family.
Mrs. Surrano “was very generous, giving everyone a critiqued opinion of how it should be.”
She is survived by: her two loving and devoted daughters, Kathleen A. Keute and Donna M. Vadnais (John); her cherished grandchildren, Christopher Vadnais and Danielle Keute, with whom she made many memories that will be embraced in their hearts forever; a special niece and nephew, William and Mary Jane Fisher and their children, who were always part of her life and loved dearly; a special goddaughter, Phyllis Brabender, who continued to love and respect her through her years; a brother, Joseph; a sister, Lena; many nieces, nephews, friends and her buddy Banjo, who brought a smile to her face.
As per Mrs. Surrano’s wishes, cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will take place in the spring and will be announced at a later date.
“We will always have wonderful memories and Mom will be in our hearts forever.” Arrangements are with the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home in Greenport. To leave an online condolence visit www.saccomcdonaldvalenti.com.
