By STAFF
Robert Baksa (1938 – 2023)
HUDSON—Born in New York City February 7, 1938, he died in Hudson, June 24, 2023 following a short illness.
As one of America’s most prolific composers, he composed more than 600 instrumental and keyboard works as well as art songs, choral music and operas.
Recently, his setting of Emily Dickinson’s “Heart, We Will Forget Him” was recorded by Sandrine Piau (soprano) on the Alpha Classics label, as well as by Patricia Petibon on Sony. Susan Manoff played piano on both albums. Ms. Piau performed Mr. Baksa’s songs at Wigmore Hall, London, in July 2018 to critical acclaim. His Octet for Woodwinds, Quintet for Flute and Strings, and Nonet for Winds and Strings, all performed by the Bronx Arts Ensemble, are popularly played on classical radio stations.
He was born to Hungarian immigrants in New York City. The family moved to Tucson, AZ, where he attended the University of Arizona earning a BA in composition. He began writing music as a teenager and studied with Henry Johnson, Robert McBride, and Lucas Foss.
Having won several competitions early on, he went on to receive a Martha Baird Rockefeller grant, and a Lincoln Center commission. His popular compositions include Chamber Concerto for 4 Winds and Strings; Song Cycles of A.E. Housman, Emily Dickinson and Ambrose Bierce; Nine Shakespearian Madrigals; Herrick Songs for Vocal Quartet with Piano; Seven Choral Anthems; and Five Canzonas for Brass Quintet. In addition to his dedication to music, Mr. Baksa’s varied interests included cartoon illustration, a keen knowledge of astrology, and a witty, pun-filled use of language.
He is survived by his sister, Nancy Kennedy of Richmond, VA.
A memorial is being organized and will be held at a later date. To read Mr. Baksa’s complete obituary visit www.saccofuneralhome.com
Georgina Anasta (1946 – 2023)
PALENVILLE—Georgina Anasta, 76, of Palenville, formerly Hudson and Greenport, died peacefully at her friend’s home Tuesday, June 27, 2023. She was born September 8, 1946, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of the late Rafael and Lydia (Vadi) Garcia.
She was a residential counselor with the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties for many years and later worked at The New Leaf Social Club. She volunteered through a senior citizen agency and was a hospice volunteer in Greene County.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her sisters, Isabel, Victoria, Gloria, Conchita and Josephine; brothers, Benjamin and Americo (Ricki). She is survived by: her brothers, Rafael Sr., and Ruben Garcia; many close nephews and nieces; her stepchildren, Finolia Pierre Idahosa, Leonard Pierre and Jude and Matel Pierre. She also leaves behind many close friends who loved her dearly.
A memorial service is planned for mid-July with a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions are requested to: MHA of Columbia-Greene Counties, Inc., 713 Union Street Hudson 12534. Arrangements are with the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. To leave online condolences visit www.saccofuneralhome.com
Jennie Russo (1941 – 2023)
LIVINGSTON—Jennie Russo, born January 1, 1941, died June 26, 2023 in Livingston.
Graveside services were held June 29, 2023 at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, 2600 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx.
Arrangements were with the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. To leave online condolences visit www.saccofuneralhome.com
Teri S. Proper (1957 – 2023)
PITTSFIELD, MA—Teri Susan Proper, 66, of 447 County Route 7A, died Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by all of her children.
Born April 14, 1957 in Great Barrington, MA, she was the daughter of the late Lindy and Jane Wilsey Miller.
A lifelong area resident, she was a member of the graduating class of 1975 from Taconic Hills High School along with her high school sweetheart, Lawrence “Larry” O. Proper. She later married him April 2, 1977 and they settled in the house that they bought in Copake.
Following her graduation from Taconic Hills, Mrs. Proper worked as a waitress at the Dutch Treat and started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser at Lisa Marie’s Salon in Hudson in 1975. She opened Teri Sue’s Beauty Salon in the early 1980s. She was able to work part-time in her house while also being a loving parent to her four children. Active in the community throughout her life, she served as a Girl Scout troop leader, Sunday school teacher at the Copake United Methodist Church, and longtime member of the Copake United Methodist Church.
In the early 2000s, she started a secondary career as an assistant preschool teacher working with Lynn Hotaling at the Copake Country Preschool in Copake. When Ms. Hotaling decided to step away from teaching preschool, Mrs. Proper decided to start her own operation, Teri’s Kool Kidz Pre-Skool. Aside from raising four children of her own and being a proud grandmother of four grandchildren, teaching preschool children was her most rewarding life experience. Many of her preschool students have since gone on to achieve great things in their academic and professional careers, at least in part due to her guidance early in life.
Predeceased by her husband, Lawrence “Larry,” survivors include: three sons, Todd (Lynn), Ryan (Kristana) and Andrew (Cora) Proper; a daughter, Bridgette (Michael) Gregory, and her beloved dog, Daisy; her grandchildren, Alex, Wesley, Jane and Charles Proper; a brother, Lindy G. Miller; a sister, Lisa (Paul) Marcel and several nieces and nephews also survive.
A memorial scholarship fund is being established to honor her life work. Make checks payable to Community Scholarship Fund (or CSF) and send to: Ryan Proper, 217 Fish and Game Road, Hudson 12534.
Her funeral service was held Monday, July 3 at the Copake United Methodist Church, County Route 7A in Copake. Interment followed in the Copake Cemetery. Arrangements were with Peck & Peck Funeral Home, 8063 State Route 22 in Copake. A gathering followed the funeral at the Copake Fire Department.
Gayle Rogers (1952 – 2023)
GHENT—Gayle Rogers, 70, of Ghent passed away June 16, 2023. Born November 13, 1952 to Evelyn (Shutts) and Edwin Rogers, she lived in Craryville for most of her life and worked at the Wassaic Developmental Center. She relocated to Florida where she worked for the SMA Behavioral Center and also volunteered for the Volusia County Sheriffs’ COPS Program. She moved back to Columbia County this year.
She made friends wherever she went, always with a joke and a smile. She will be dearly missed by: her brother, Milford Rogers; sister, Jeanette (Donald) Seaman; nieces, Chelsea (Robert) Rice and Jodi (Eric) Sigler; nephews, Jason (Heidi) Seaman, Matthew (Shelby) Rogers, Darren (April) Rogers and Timothy (Kristin) Rogers; great-nieces, Alyssa (Anthony) Conn; Mckenzie, Khloe, Adilynn and Brittany Rogers; great- nephew, Brandon Rice; great-great niece, Aubrey Conn and many close friends from NY to FL.
She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, John and Claude Rogers.
There will be no calling hours, internment will be at the family’s convenience.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. Express condolences at www.peckandpeck.net.
Elizabeth A.B. Hyne (1930 – 2023)
COPAKE—Elizabeth Ann (Baumbach) Hyne, known by all as “Betty,” passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.
Born of German immigrants, Anna and Fredrich Baumbach, She spent most of her life in Huntington, Long Island, and in retirement moved with her husband of 70 years, Edward “Eddy” A. Hyne, Sr., to Copake. She spent her formative years involved with dance, art and sailing, and earned a degree from LaSalle Junior College in art and modern dance. Her passion for art continued throughout her life in oil painting and taking a job as a graphic artist for an agency on Long Island. She also taught dance and did some substitute art teaching. Later she worked as an administrator for the Suffolk County Department of Health.
December 7, 1952, “Eddy” and “Betty” were married and honeymooned at Jug End Barn in Egremont, MA, not knowing they would later retire in the area. They raised their two children in their home in Commack, Long Island. They shared a love for boating and enjoyed many years as a family boating out of Northport harbor and the Eaton’s Neck area of Long Island Sound.
When they retired they moved up to Copake, where they had spent many years camping. They developed a love of golf, and each joined leagues. They took annual trips to and from Florida in their motor home and enjoyed hosting occasional family reunions at their home. They were members of St John’s Lutheran Church and active members of the Young at Hearters for many years, enjoying all the trips, events and wonderful friends they made. Mrs. Hyne was a member of the Undermountain Women’s Golf League, the Women’s Christmas Craft group at St. John’s, and served with Meals on Wheels in Copake.
She is survived by: her husband, Eddy, who calls her “the love of my life;” daughter, Beth Bodemann (David); son, Eddy Hyne, Jr.; grandchildren, Davey Bodemann (Emily), Daniel Bodemann, and Jennifer Duer (Josh); and great-grandchildren, Kaylee Bodemann and Lochlan Duer.
A time for offering condolences and sharing of memories will take place Saturday, July 15, 2023 from noon to 2 p.m. at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 8063 Route 22, Copake. At 2 p.m. a memorial service will be held with Pastor Jackie Jefferson officiating.
Peter E. Lasher (1942 – 2023)
LIVINGSTON—Peter E. Lasher 81, of Livingston died tragically at his home early Thursday morning, June 29, 2023.
Born in Germantown March 28, 1942, he was the son of the late Edison and Emma (Denegar) Lasher. Following high school, he pursued his career as a Germantown police officer for many years, worked maintenance and countless hours snow plowing with the State of NY, County of Columbia, and officially retiring from the Town of Germantown in 1995.
Later, he worked security at Columbia Memorial Hospital for an additional 10 years. He was an active member of the Germantown Fire Department for 17 years, until 1991. He attended the Reformed Church of Germantown.
He dedicated many years to the Town of Germantown and community. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. He enjoyed camping in the Adirondack Mountains with his family and close friends. He enjoyed tending to his many gardens and took pride in mowing his lawn and landscaping around their home. His ultimate joy was his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by: his loving wife, Barbara Gail (Moore) Lasher; daughters, Cindy Jennings (Bob), Rhonda Alimonti (Ken), Kathy Guner (Nick); son, Tom Lasher (Julie); grandchildren, Riley and Emma Jennings, Bryan Guner, Jeremey (Dhara) Lasher, Nicholas (Christina) Lasher; great-
grandchildren, Haley Lasher, Brooklynn Culotta, Emerie and Briena Faust; sister, Gail Bilyou (Stan); close cousin, Alan (Butch) Lasher; former daughter-in-law, Vickie McCaskill and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents: Edison and Emma Lasher; sister, Helen Rogers; in-laws, Raymond Moore, Sr., Kathryn Moore, Kermit Clum, Sr., Evelyn Clum and his sweet granddaughter, Elizabeth (Ellie) Guner.
Visiting hours and funeral services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport with Pastors David and Joanna Tipple officiating. Burial will be in the Linlithgo Reformed Church of Livingston Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reformed Church of Germantown, 20 Church Avenue, Germantown 12526.
To leave online condolences visit www.saccofuneralhome.com
Sharon Rouse (1958 – 2023)
HUDSON—Sharon Rouse, 64, of Hudson passed away at home Tuesday, June 27, 2023, with her loving family by her side.
Born July 29, 1958 in Hudson, she was the daughter of John and Blanche (Shortsleeve) Yates.
She was an operating room technician at Columbia Memorial Hospital for more than 40 years. She was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, a CPR instructor, and Union representative for SEIU 1199. She was a member of Hudson Elks Lodge 787, Rogers Hose Ladies Auxiliary, and was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church / St. Mary’s Parish. She also loved to travel, and treat the neighborhood kids with holiday gift baskets and ice pops. Her greatest joy was her grandson, Johnathan, whom she loved beyond measure.
Left to forever love and remember her are: her husband, Raymond Rouse; her son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Jessica Rouse; grandson, Johnathan Rouse; her siblings, Terry (Linda) Yates, David Yates, Jeffrey (Linda) Yates, and Joanne (Fran) Snyder; several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by: her sisters, Susan Yates, Barbara Elliott and Nancy Graziano, and sister-in-law, Barbara Yates.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 1 from Holy Trinity Church / St. Mary’s Parish in Hudson. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson.
Madeline M. Dickerson (1930 – 2023)
HUDSON—Madeline “Lee” M. Dickerson, 93, formerly of Hudson, passed away after a brief illness June 19, 2023.
Born in Hudson to the late Michael and Theresa Mangione May 17, 1930, she spent many years working in the Hudson City School District and serving the community through countless volunteer organizations including the Greenport Ladies Auxiliary, patient registration at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Columbia and Greene County Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and RSVP Medical Transportation.
She was predeceased by: her parents; a sister, Theresa; a brother, Emanuel and her husband, Ted.
She is survived by: her sister, Angelina Martin; her aunt, Antionette Wilson; her daughter, Susan (Ed) Rogalski of Bedford, MA; her son, Robert (Kathleen) Dickerson of Fairport; her five grandchildren, Helena (Dave) Kubarycz, Natalie (Anthony) Gizzie, Olivia Dickerson, Mitchel Dickerson, and Sarah Rogalski; two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Kyla Kubarycz.
She enjoyed daily exercise class, playing a variety of card games, especially pinochle, boating on Kinderhook Lake, knitting for her grandchildren and testing her green thumb skills. Her Italian Christmas cookies, deviled eggs and signature tomato sauce will surely be missed.
A funeral service was held June 23 at St. John of Rochester in Fairport. Interment took place July 3 at Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the Greenport Rescue Squad in Hudson. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson.
Theodore R. Faxon (1935 – 2023)
OLD CHATHAM—Theodore Robert “Bob” Faxon, 87, passed peacefully with his children and grandchildren by his side Sunday, July 2. Born in Hudson Hospital December 4, 1935, to Hannah Bertram Faxon and Theodore Faxon, he was brought home to Old Chatham, where he would eventually return to live out his final years.
Early in his childhood, his family moved to Malden Bridge where they opened the Malden Bridge general store. Sometime later, they moved again to his mother’s family’s farm for several years to help while his uncle, Walter Bertram, was away in the service. During his time on the farm, he developed a love of horses that would stay with him throughout his life. He later spent years training Standardbreds at the Chatham Fairgrounds and racing at tracks all over New York, Vermont and Massachusetts.
He started school in Nassau. When he moved back to the family home, he would walk to the Old Chatham Elementary School. When not in class, he worked part-time for George Kipp, where he learned to run heavy equipment and assisted his father at the family-owned gravel bank. He left school to continue full-time for Kipp, joined the International Union of Operating Engineers, and helped in construction of the NYS Thruway and the Taconic Parkway. His next stop was with A. Colarusso & Son on the way to opening his own business—Bob Faxon & Sons.
He and his father built several houses in Old Chatham, one of which would become the home where he raised his five children. He was for many years a member of the National Guard, artillery division, as well as a longtime active member of the Tri-Village Fire Department, which he had joined at 16 years old. He coached baseball for the North Chatham Little League Association, where his three sons played for several years.
In recent years, living out his days where he had once been just a boy, “Grandpa Bob” enjoyed the frequent visits and endless love of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always ready to sneak biscuits to their pups Jazzy, Tilly, Remy, Oscar, Trek, Mila and Chance.
He was predeceased by: his parents; sister, Elizabeth Faxon; daughter-in-law, Karen (Tim) Faxon, and great-granddaughter Emery Faxon Silk. He leaves behind his five children, Joan (Sky Vogel) Faxon, Jamie Baksa, Ted (Jean Magner) Faxon, Tim Faxon, Tom Faxon; grandchildren, Rebecca (Joe) Gumbrewicz, Hailey (Craig) Dumart, Courtney (Adrian Donnelly) Baksa, Jillian (Tommy) Silk, Nicholas (Marissa) Faxon, Kelly (Chris LeRoy) Faxon, and great-grandchildren Alexis and Brayden Dumart. He is also survived by his former wife, Muriel Scott Faxon Acevedo.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours July 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue Chatham, with a service at 1 p.m. Interment will be at the North Chatham Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Little Brook Farm, B.I.T.S, P.O. Box 127, Old Chatham 12136, or Peppertree Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 2396, Albany 12220. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
