Cindy Lee Bersch (1959 – 2017)
STUYVESANT—Cindy Lee (Rochester) Bersch gained her wings Sunday May 28, 2017.
Born in Ghent May 17, 1959 to the late Arthur Rochester, Sr., and Clara (Dutcher) Rochester of Philmont.
Mrs. Bersch was a 1978 Chatham High School graduate. Soon after graduation she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Steven J. Bersch.
She was a loving, caring soul that had never-ending love for her family. She loved family game nights, picnics, family vacations to Vermont and her four cats, Princess Sapphire, Charcoal, Wolfie and Patches.
Mrs. Bersch was a 25-year+ 4-H leader to the Columbia County Roving Rangers. She loved cooking, baking, crafts and teaching children.
Mrs. Bersch was always the friendliest, most selfless woman in the room. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and the best “Classic Mimi” in the world. She had a special love for her one and only grandson, Cody, who was her pride and joy. She was loved by many. “Memories will forever be in the hearts of all.”
Surviving are: her loving husband of 38 years, Steven Bersch of Stuyvesant; daughter, Elizabeth “Liza” Johnson (Chris) of Valatie; son, Jacob Bersch of Stuyvesant; her “peanut” grandson, Cody Johnson of Valatie; mother, Clara Rochester of Philmont; sisters, Julie Pietrak (Doug) of Ghent and Sarah Noeth (Chris) of Castleton; brother, Lester Rochester (Donna) of Ghent; behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends she loved dearly.
She was predeceased by her father, Arthur Rochester, Sr.; brother, Arthur Rochester, Jr., and brother-in-law, Harold Bersch.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Contributions may be made to the Bersch family in memory of their dear loved one.
James Dawson
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA—James Dawson, “Poppy,” died peacefully May 27, 2017 at the age of 97 at Fairview Hospital. Mr. Dawson was a lifelong resident of Hillsdale.
He was a machine gunner in World War II and was decorated with the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He worked as a dairy farmer on the family farm; as a truck driver and at the Taconic State Parkway and the Hillsdale Solid Waste Transfer Station.
He had a passion for his family, his cattle and for hunting.
Survivors include: his beloved wife, Carolyn A. (Lossow) Dawson of Hillsdale; a daughter, Bonnie Garrett of San Diego, CA; two sons, James Dawson of Sugar Land, TX, and John Dawson of Hillsdale; four grandchildren, Shawn Dawson, Ashley Fitting, Shane Dawson and James Dawson; five great-grandchildren, Shawn Dawson, Hunter Dawson, Drew Fitting, Abby Fitting and Alexander Dawson.
Friends are invited and may call at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake, Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 2, 2017, 11 a.m. from the Hillsdale United Methodist Church with the Reverend Mary Langley officiating.
Private interment will be in the North Hillsdale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Community Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327, Copake 12516.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Paul K. McNeill (1953 – 2017)
PHILMONT—Paul K. McNeill, 64, died at home May 24, 2017.
He was born January 15, 1953 in Hudson, the son of William E. and Nellie (Shufelt) McNeill.
On August 24, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Diane Ogden.
Mr. McNeill was a truck driver for more than 45 years. He drove for JB Hunt, ADM Milling, Columbia Boxboard, and most recently for Montague Oil Company, where he was employed for 23 years.
He enjoyed horticulture and taking care of his property and gardens, in addition to being an animal lover. He could often be found tinkering and working on small engines, especially his lawn tractors. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed being around people and telling jokes. Mr. McNeill was the past-president of the Mellenville Union Cemetery Association, a position he held for about five years.
He is survived by: his loving wife, of 42 years, Diane; his adoring son and best friend, Joshua Paul McNeill; his sister-in-law, Linda (Harder) McNeill, in addition to several other sisters and brothers in-law, his father-and mother-in-law, Lester and Ruth Ogden; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, William Daniel McNeill.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Interment followed at Mellenville Union Cemetery. Donations may be made to Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue, 180 Prach Road, Hillsdale 12529.
Barbara A. Parlman (1931 – 2017)
HUDSON—Barbara Ann Parlman 86, of Hudson and recently of Philmont, passed away Thursday May 25, 2017 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born in Hudson, March 13, 1931, she was the daughter of the late John Gavigan and Norma (Denegar) Arkinson.
Mrs. Parlman graduated from Hudson High School and attended Cazenovia College, Mildred Elley Secretarial School, and received an associate degree in business administration from Columbia-Greene Community College.
She and her late husband, Calvin F. Parlman were partners/owners of Cal Parlman, Inc., a construction company in Hudson. She was a member of Christ Church Episcopal, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Fortnightly Club. She is survived by: her daughter, Ellen Parlman and her husband Wayne McGinniss of King George, VA, and son, Brian Parlman and his wife Wendy of Hudson and their three children, Courtney, Cameron and Camille. There are no calling hours. A memorial funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 31, 10 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, 431 Union Street, Hudson, with the Reverend Mother Eileen Weglarz officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions are requested to the American Heart Association or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are with the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Marjorie Tanzillo (1932 – 2017)
STOTTVILLE—Marjorie Tanzillo, 85, of Stottville, a graduate of Hudson High, passed away Thursday May 25, 2017 surrounded by her family.
Born in Hudson, April 30, 1932, she was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Kline) Wolfe.
Mrs. Tanzillo is survived by: her loving husband, Patsy Tanzillo; a daughter, Joanne (Bob) Briggs; three sons, Mark (Michelle), Andrew and Patrick; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily, Sarah and Patrick E.; five siblings, Norma Barnard, David Wolfe, George Wolfe, Geraldine Doss and Paul Wolfe; and a great friend to the family, Drew Nealon.
She was predeceased by her brother, John “Fred” Wolfe.
Mrs. Tanzillo was the owner of Kay’s Tax Service for 48 years. She was a member of the Hudson High Alumni Association and the Stottville Volunteer Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary.
Mrs. Tanzillo’s family was her biggest pride in life and her door was always open to all who chose to walk through it. A kind, wise loving woman, she will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hudson High Alumni Association, 215 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson 12534 or the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Services were conducted Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport with Pastor Ken Coddington officiating. Burial was in Cedar Park Cemetery.
Madeline E. Oravec (1929 – 2017)
HUDSON—Madeline Ethel (Mahar) Oravec, 88, of Cairo passed away peacefully at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Thursday, May 25 surrounded by her family and friends.
Born in Broadalbin, February 27, 1929, she was the daughter of Ray L. and Ruth Mahar.
She moved to Stottville at age 11 and lived there for 58 years before moving to Cairo in 1998.
Mrs. Oravec was once the subject of “Kramer’s Corner” a neighborhood profile section of the Register-Star in the early 1970s. This article asked the local community “Who’s your favorite neighbor?” It perfectly described Mrs. Oravec. Her front door was never locked to make it easier for anyone who needed to talk, laugh, share a meal or seek advice. She always had room at her table or a bed to call one’s own for as long as one needed, whether as a boarder or a foster child, no one felt unloved.
Mrs. Oravec held many jobs that brought her joy throughout her life. From her early work at the Cedar Park Cemetery, the Canada Dry soda factory, and the Pocketbook factory to being a teacher’s aide at the Stottville Union Free School, she was always smiling. She performed in many productions to support the local community. Her performing nature and love of life and laughter was never more evident than when she adopted her beloved persona—Tickle the Clown. Tickle could be seen performing at her local church’s Vacation Bible School and at many birthday parties or local nursing homes.
Her love of her Lord was also a large part of her life. She was integral in starting Faith Christian Academy, a private Christian school run by her church at the time, Calvary Assembly of God. As an active member of both Calvary Assembly and her most recent church home, where she became an elder, New Day Fellowship in Cairo, Mrs. Oravec was often the first to volunteer to serve her community whenever the need arose.
Her greatest joy was her family. She is lovingly remembered by: her children, Terry (Patti) Oravec of Catskill, Lou Anne (George) Fleury of Cairo, Tim Oravec of Catskill and Marty (Karen) Oravec of Rio Rancho, NM; her 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Carolyn and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, John; her parents; her sister, Virginia and her brothers, Charles, Ken, Ray (Jack), Terry and Larry.
A celebration of her life will be held at Calvary Assembly of God in Stottville, June 3, 2017. A time of fellowship and sharing begins at 2 p.m. with a formal service led by her pastor, Anthony Saturnini of New Day Fellowship at 4 p.m. An additional time of fellowship and sharing will continue following the service. At the request of family, there will not be a viewing and a private interment will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
