Francois A. Boucher (1949 – 2016)
LIVINGSTON—Francois “Frank” A. Boucher, Sr., 66, of Livingston passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Born April 14, 1949, in South Hero, VT, he was the son of the late Albert and Gladys (Gardner) Boucher.
He married Renee Van Wagner, September 5, 2009 in Claverack. She survives him at home.
For more than 35 years, Mr. Boucher was the owner and operator of Airline Trucking.
In addition to his work, his passion was flying and he held a pilot license for many years. He, along with his son, Frank, were active in the stock car circuit and often raced at Lebanon Valley Raceway.
In addition to his loving wife, Renee, he is survived by: his children, Barbara Galm and her husband Jeff of Pine Plains, Francois Boucher, Jr., and his wife Heather of Ghent, Stephen Boucher and his wife Melissa of Clermont, Catherine Prentice and her husband Rich of Pine Plains, Brendan Boucher and his wife Megan of Amsterdam, David Bayliss and his wife Victoria of Red Hook and Nicole Michael and her husband Peter of Rhinebeck; his two sisters, Dorothy Hill and Phyllis Boucher, both of Florida; his grandchildren, Robert and Kelsey Galm, Alexis and Emma Boucher, Madeline and A.J. Boucher, David and Ben Prentice, Dylan Michael Boucher, Dylan Bayliss, Austin Rowland, Jade, Kori and Cody Michael; along with countless extended family and friends.
Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 2 to 5 p.m. with a time of sharing to be held at 5 p.m. Interment will be private.
Memorial donations in Mr. Boucher’s memory may be made to Albany Medical Center Cancer Research, c/o: Albany Medical Center Foundation, Office of Development, 43 New Scotland Avenue MC-119, Albany 12208.
For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.
Elizabeth A. Bell (1924 – 2016)
GHENT—Elizabeth A. Bell, a 60+ year resident of the Hudson, area, died February 27, 2016 at the age of 91 in Ghent. It was a rare trip anywhere in the area that she didn’t meet a former student, each with a story to tell of how she’d required and expected a lot from them. Fun, adventurous, pioneering, humorous, ultra-organized and an absolute dynamo of energy, she was quick to share opinions and regaled all with her anecdotes. Her constant companion was a miniature Schnauzer, each female and each with a German maiden name, except her boy, Kaiser.
She was born in Jordanville, to Douglas H. and Maude T. Bell. After attending a two-room school house and the Owen D. Young Central School in Van Hornesville with her three brothers and a sister, she entered Greene Mountain College and graduated from Ithaca College with a BS and later an MS in teaching physical education. She began teaching women’s physical education at Hudson High School in 1949.
As a driving force in women’s sports in New York State, in addition to her classes, she coached nine women’s sports, officiated field hockey and volleyball, was a founding member of the American Women in Physical Education of New York State and held many offices, including president. She was a leader and player in local and national field hockey associations, organized one of the first girls’ athletic leagues in New York State and served as business manager at many summer camps. After retiring at 55, her work in women’s sports and associations continued as she pursued her long-time passion for travel.
Her love for field hockey and the Olympics, as well as “RVing” took her from Europe to Canada, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Her extensive itinerary included her exploration by motor home of much of Europe, Canada and Mexico plus all 50 States. With her love of organizing, she planned rallies and was a board member in the camping associations, Loners on Wheels and Loners of America, and was a founding member of an adult only campground in Bushnell, FL. As she traveled the U.S. and Europe, she visited her wide circle of friends, former students and family.
When not traveling, she was very involved in the Hudson area with Christ Church, Meals on Wheels, the Hudson Amtrak station snack bar and the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. Because her family, friends and roots were so important to her, she served as family historian and was a frequent presence in her hometown, Jordanville, supporting the churches, library and cemetery there. She is survived by 7 nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren.
Her family thanks the caring staff at the Whittier Rehab Center and Adult Home and at Community Hospice of Columbia Greene and many special people, including Bev and Jim Turner, Wayne Francis, Mother Eileen Weglarz, Sheron Reighn, James Gottlieb and Jamison Teale. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, the Hudson Area Library, the Jordanville Public Library and the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
A memorial service to celebrate a life well-lived will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016, 1 p.m. at Christ Church in Hudson.
Margaret S. McGrath (1919 – 2016)
SCOTIA—Margaret Scannell McGrath, a longtime resident of Columbia County, died at the Glendale Home in Scotia, February 29 at the age of 96.
She moved to the Glendale Home four years ago to be near her daughter, Patricia Malizia and her family. A native of Montclair, reared in New York City, Mrs. McGrath moved to Ghent in 1944 where she joined her parents and brothers who had bought a farm. At that time her husband, Sergeant John F. McGrath was overseas serving in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He joined her and their daughter, Kathleen, when he was discharged from the service. She remained a resident of Columbia County until complications from a broken hip caused her to leave her home.
Mrs. McGrath is predeceased by her husband, John F. McGrath; her oldest daughter, Kathleen Knobel and her second husband, Stewart H. Wooley.
She is survived by: her children, Eileen Bruno of Keesville, Susan McGrath of Decatur, GA, Patricia Malizia of Scotia, Janet McGrath of Action, MA, Maria Mackenty of Edgartown, MA, John McGrath of Castleton and James McGrath of Easton, MA. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grand children.
Calling hours will be Thursday, March 3, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James Church, Chatham at noon. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
Margaret S. Carter (1915 – 2016)
HUDSON—Margaret S. Carter, 100, of Claverack, a homemaker, died peacefully with her family by her side, Monday, February 29, 2016.
Born in Hudson October 1, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Eva (Moore) Miller.
She was predeceased by: her husband, Frederick Carter; her daughter, Karol Nack; her granddaughter, Lori Nack Dierkes; her siblings, Edith Lasher, Helen Johnson, Jane Deligianis, Guy Everett, William, Clifford and Francis Miller and her son-in-law, Donald Bryant.
Mrs. Carter was a beloved and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
Surviving are: her daughters, Edith Bryant and Pamela Glasser; her grandchildren, Karen Bryant, Marc Bryant and William F. Glasser; great-grandchildren, Michelle Pratt, Amanda Lando, Christopher Matthews, Shianne Dierkes, William J. Glasser and Alan J. Glasser.
She is also survived by her great-great-granddaughter, Isabella Lando and numerous nieces and nephews.
A calling hour will he held Friday, March 4, 1 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Services will follow at the funeral home at 2 p.m. with the Reverend David Tipple officiating. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church in Greenport or to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.
Ronald L. Griffin (1941 – 2016)
WAKE FOREST, NC—Ronald “Griff” L. Griffin died peacefully in his sleep after fighting a long battle with COPD. He lived in Wake Forest, NC, with his wife, Carole (Cort).
In addition to his wife of 53 years, he is survived by: his sisters, Patricia (Griffin) Haraldsen of FL, and Peg (Griffin) DeCheck of NY; his children, Lisa Griffin-Thys and her husband Mike Thys of Wake Forest, NC, grandchildren, Dr. Ryan Griffin Thys and wife Becky (Kochany) and expectant great-granddaughter, McCabe Elisabeth Thys of Wake Forest, NC, his granddaughter, Caitlin Griffin Thys of Durham; Ronald ”Buck” Griffin and his wife Jenn Jordan Griffin of Clermont; Erin C. Griffin of Wake Forest, NC, and grandchildren Sierra, Kasey and Riley Griffin of Germantown and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret (Lasher) Griffin and his brothers, Karl and John Griffin.
Mr. Griffin was born February 22, 1941 in Albany. He graduated from Germantown Central School in 1958 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He traveled extensively with the Navy and was stationed in Cartagena, Spain. After an honorable discharge, Mr. Griffin was an iron worker for New York Central Railroad following in the footsteps of his father, Charles and his brother, Karl. He retired from Metro North Railroad after 38 years of service. In 1962 he married Carole Cort, also a graduate of Germantown Central. They lived in upstate New York for many years raising their three children Lisa, Buck and Erin. He spent most of his life teaching them the values of family, a strong work ethic and many skills that would serve them well in their life. His children remember him as a kind, supportive and driven father who encouraged them to pursue their dreams and goals.
He was an avid outdoorsman who taught his children how to fish, hunt and trap. He was very interested in Native American history and had an extensive collection of Indian artifacts that he uncovered along the Hudson River Valley. He was a Boy Scout Leader who enjoyed sharing stories of the great adventures he and his scout troop had while camping in the Adirondack Mountains.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be sent to the Autism Society Hudson Valley, 30 Denver Road, Kingston 12401 www.autism- society.org/chapter 512/
