John A. Allen (1937 – 2015)
VALATIE—John A. Allen, 77, of Hudson, died Saturday, March 14 at Barnwell Nursing Home.
He was born in Mellenville, November 14, 1937, the son of the late Alfred J. and Ruth (Miller) Allen.
He served 23 years with the United States Air Force completing his military career as a supply sergeant. He then worked as a salesman with Pitchers Auto Parts in Hudson until his retirement.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 34 years, Rosemary (Middlebrook) Allen. He is also survived by: his sons, Scott (Lyndell) Allen of Hudson and James Allen of Hudson; daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Klugo of Livingston; step-son, Bernard Walker of Philmont; step-daughters, Debra Snack-Walker and Lori Walker, both of Hudson and nine grandchildren.
Mr. Allen was predeceased by brothers, William McKibbin and Richard McKibbin.
He loved animals and greatly enjoyed sports as he was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.
Services are private and at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534.
To leave an online condolence visit www.saccomcdonaldvalenti.com
Bruce T. Baldwin (1941 – 2015)
AUSTRALIA—Bruce Travis Baldwin of New Lebanon died unexpectedly on March 9 while vacationing with his wife in Australia. He was 73.
He was born in Minneapolis, December 2, 1941, and graduated from Mound High School (MN) in 1959.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Korea. Following his military service, he graduated from St. Cloud University (SD). He taught English and theater at Lenox High School (MA) in the early 1970s before opening Baldwin Foreign Auto Repair on Route 20 in New Lebanon, where he was well known in the region for repairing Saabs and Volvos.
He was a founding member of, and theater director with, the Berkshire Public Theater. In the mid-1990s he combined his love of both education and automobiles, becoming an automotive instructor at Questar III vocational high school in Hudson. Mr. Baldwin was strongly committed to public service. He was active in local government, serving as the supervisor of the Town of New Lebanon from 1988 to 1995, and as a member of the Town Board, most recently from 2007 until his death. His commitment to democratic principles and responsible government were admired by all, even by those who did not agree with his liberal politics.
During the past two years, Mr. Baldwin oversaw the reconstruction of the New Lebanon Town Hall, doing some of the work himself. He directed performances by the Valley Players, a community theater group in New Lebanon whose goal was to raise money for the local high school. He was a volunteer EMT with the Lebanon Valley Protective Association, and an active member of the Lebanon Valley Historical Society. In retirement, he found great joy as a substitute teacher at New Lebanon High School—the school from which his own daughters graduated. He touched the lives of nearly everyone in New Lebanon.
Mr. Baldwin married Jeannine Tonetti in 1982, and each brought two young daughters to their marriage. They raised their four girls together in a home full of books, tools, classical music, objects from their many travels, and a garage full of classic British sports cars. Upon the death of his brother, Mr. Baldwin lovingly assumed the role of father and grandfather to his nieces and nephews, in keeping with their Navajo cultural tradition. This role brought him immense happiness and pride. He also frequently travelled to his wife’s ancestral home in northern Italy, where he enjoyed picking grapes, drinking red wine, and visiting with his cherished cugini. He built whimsical lawn sculptures out of scrap metal, was fond of devising slightly dangerous outdoor entertainments for his children and grandchildren, and he could fix almost anything. Mr. Baldwin enjoyed restoring and driving classic MGs, and he remembered the dates of important family events based on which car he was driving at the time. He could also wiggle his ears. He was generous, open-minded and adventurous. He was also mischievous, strong-willed and cantankerous. These traits served him well as the only male in a household of five strong women.
He is survived by Jeannine, his wife and companion-in-adventure for 32 years; his daughters, Jessica Wolbert (Anthony) and Nikki O’Farrill (Hector); his step-daughters Gretel Pavao (Justin Shofler) and Barnet Pavao-Zuckerman (Mitchell); and his grandchildren, who dearly loved their Papap, Oren, Jonas, Ethan, Benjamin, Evelyn, Sagan and an expected granddaughter. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Howe (Ed), and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Wilbur and Vivien Baldwin, and his brothers, Allen, David and Robert. Mr. Baldwin’s family takes comfort from his own words, written for the occasion of his step-daughter’s wedding: “And, indeed, they are all here today within us all—the ancestors have led us from the past, to this moment of the present, and into the future, and the unknown…” In his memory, donations may be made to the Lebanon Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 363, New Lebanon 12125. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. at the New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School. Friends are invited to share their memories of Mr. Baldwin at the service.
Anthony F. DeLuke (1934 – 2015)
GHENT—Anthony F. DeLuke, 80, of Hudson passed away Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Whittier Skilled Nursing Center.
Born in Hudson, August 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Anthony and Hazel DeLuke.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 until 1955. Mr. DeLuke was a printer and worked for Johnny’s Ideal Printing and the Register Star. He was a member of the Hudson Elks 787 and was Elk of the Year from 1988 to 1989, a member of the Elks Bowling League and a 50-year member of the Washington Hose Company #3. Mr. DeLuke also coached Little League, loved all sports, especially the New York Yankees, and enjoyed trips to the casino.
Surviving are: his wife, Santa (Graziano) DeLuke; his daughter, Linda Bain; three grandchildren, Justin, Jenna and Jordan; three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Anna Riozzi and Caroline Ellsworth.
Calling hours are Wednesday, March 18, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
