Edward B. Carter (1941 – 2019)
GALLATIN—Edward B. Carter, 77, passed away at home Friday, April 12, 2019.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11 a.m. from St. Thomas Lutheran Church, County Route 27 in Churchtown.
A reception will follow at the Churchtown Firehouse.
Private interment will be in the Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program or the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
To sign the online register visit peckandpeck.net. A complete obituary ran in the April 18 issue.
Ronald Leavenworth (1968 – 2019)
SPENCERTOWN—Ronald “Troy” Leavenworth ended his life at his residence in Spencertown April 17 after a lengthy battle with depression. He was 50 years old. He is now at peace.
He was born May 30, 1968 in Pittsfield, MA, to the late Ronald Leroy Leavenworth and Linda (Jackson) Harlow. He grew up in the Chatham area before moving to Columbia, NH, as a teenager, where he graduated from Colebrook Academy in 1986.
He was a quick learner as well as a hard worker, earning his living with various construction companies in New Hampshire, Vermont and eventually back in his hometown of Chatham, where he moved his family in 2006.
Mr. Leavenworth was an exceptional artist and even contributed weekly hand drawn cartoons to the local paper when he was a boy. He possessed an amazing “MacGyver” like ability to build or fix almost anything, using whatever was on hand. Some of his fondest memories were of time spent with his lifelong friends camping at Lymon Falls and Maidstone Lake, canoeing down the Connecticut River, or ice fishing on any lake he could find. He was an avid fisherman and took great pleasure in hunting all types of wild game and waterfowl.
He was many things to many people, but to his children, whom he loved fiercely, he was everything. They will treasure the memories of him patiently teaching them how to cast a pole, bait a hook, and shoot a gun. His sense of humor, big laugh and even bigger hugs will live on in their hearts and in their actions.
He is survived by: his three sons, David Jonathan Leavenworth of Medway, MA, Daniel Stephen Leavenworth and Holden Ronald Leavenworth, both of Chatham; one daughter, Abygayle Skye Leavenworth of Chatham; his loving sister, Lonni Leavenworth of North Troy, VT; his mother, Linda Harlow of Chatham; his grandson, Kyle Leavenworth; three nephews, Mik Taylor, Chase Strange and Sebastian Rolfe; his niece, Tanya Taylor; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He also leaves behind his longtime partner, whom he loved deeply, Lucy Howes of Spencertown and her children, Carlin and Patrick. He was predeceased by his father; his paternal grandparents, Leroy and Alice Leavenworth; his maternal grandparents, William and Florence Jackson and his cousins, Jasson Jackson and Alan Keefner.
Friends and family are welcome to attend a celebration of his life at Jackson”s Old Chatham House Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, consider helping Mr. Leavenworth’s children offset his final expenses. Donations may be sent to Daniel Leavenworth, 667 White Mills Rd #42, Valatie 12184. Arrangements are with the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
Albert A. Bellenchia (1934 – 2019)
PHILMONT—Albert Anthony Bellenchia, “Big Al” or “Al B” to his friends, born and raised in Yonkers, passed away April, 19, 2019 at Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was 85.
Mr. Bellenchia served his country as a jet mechanic in the Air Force. “As a result, no North Koreans ever invaded Georgia. In gratitude, the government added an L to his family name.”
After his retirement from AT&T, he lived in Yorktown Heights before moving further “up the line.” He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in his later years. The end came suddenly, and thankfully quickly, accompanied by family.
Mr. Bellenchia was an avid fan of NY sports, especially his beloved Yankees and Giants. In his younger years, he was an exceptional athlete, making the best of his small size with huge passion and energy.
That passion extended to his family. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, often at two jobs. He overcame adversity and setback by force of will. That perseverance— some call it stubbornness—is a legacy he left his offspring.
He was a gentle man in heart and generous in deed. He taught his children to love and to not be afraid to express it. He raised a family of huggers. His great love, Carolann Schreiber Bellenchia, preceded him in death by 24 years. His heart was forever broken but not his spirit.
He was a loyal friend, had a huge circle of male and female accomplices and conspirators. He made his presence known wherever he went. He loved to laugh, dance and sing and bent an elbow on occasion. He played cards, the ponies and threw the bones. He lived his life large and often loudly. Accompanied by a sly grin and a wisecrack. Beneath his crusty exterior, he was a cupcake.
He was the son of Pio and Almerica (Balducci) Belenchia. He had six siblings: Gloria, Robert, Josephine, Ethel, Diane and Rudy. He is survived by: four children, Ann Albohn (Frank), Albert E. Bellenchia (Jennifer Wall), Peter Belenchia and Paul Bellenchia (Anita); seven grandchildren, whom he adored and who adored him, Frank Albohn III, Sarah Belenchia Anthony, Melissa Bellenchia, Jessica Bellenchia-Spock, Samuel Bellenchia, Becca Belenchia, and Benjamin Bellenchia.
A celebration of the life of Mr. Bellenchia will take place in early May. Details will be announced to family and friends.
Robert H. Wemple (1931 – 2019)
VALATIE—Robert “Bob” H. Wemple, 87, formerly of Canaan and most recently of Old Chatham, died Thursday, April 18, 2019 at The Grand at Barnwell surrounded by his family.
A graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, Mr. Wemple was first hired as the head herdsman at the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth in Canaan and when the farming operations was discontinued, he became the senior groundsman. He lived and worked there for 36 years offering a stable and caring environment to the boys and his own family. He was best known for his strong work ethic, humility and his kind, gentle ways. Following his retirement, Mr. Wemple and his wife, Frances traveled throughout the United States visiting family and making friends in their motorhome before settling in Lake Panasoffkee, FL. He was also a former member of both the Canaan Grange and Canaan Fire Department.
Born May 16, 1931 in Stephentown, he was the son of the late Harold and Alice (Eldridge) Wemple.
He is survived by: his wife, Frances M. (Grueber) Wemple; four children, Gary Wemple (Linda) of Old Chatham, Tina Sharpe (Curtis) of Hillsdale, Linda Etue (William) of East Nassau and Paul Wemple (Robyn) of Pittsfield, MA; two sisters, Jane Thomas (William) of Kinderhook and Susan Demick (Richard) of Stephentown; two brothers, Frederick Wemple of St. Charles, MO and David Wemple (Anne) of Nassau; six grandchildren, Jennifer and William Etue, Heather (Wemple) Kelly, Elizabeth (Wemple) Link, Christine Wemple and Rachel Puckett; eight great grandchildren, Felicite and Landon Etue, Ryan, Carter and Addison Link, Carson and Harlow Kelly, and Jase Ordway and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Lemuth and Ruth Ann Arto.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Teresa Farinacci (1927 – 2019)
ALBANY—Teresa “Dolly” Farinacci, 92, of County Route 26A, Stuyvesant died Friday, April 19 at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home where she resided for the past four years. Prior to that she spent most of her life in her beloved town of Stuyvesant.
Born in Mount Vernon March 26, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Crocco) Pino of Stuyvesant. Mrs. Farinacci was a long-time communicant and very active member of the Church of the Nativity in Stuyvesant where she was a Sunday school teacher, held positions on various church committees and ministries and was the organist for 57 years. She was co-owner and co-operator of the Stuyvesant Press, worked several years and at one point was supervisor of the kitchen/cafeteria at Ichabod Crane High School in Valatie, was awarded Mother of the Year by the Kinderhook Elks Lodge #2530, and was an active member of the Stuyvesant Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.
She was married to the love of her life her late husband, Valentine for 57 years. She is survived by: three sons, John V. Farinacci and his wife Susan of Austin, TX, Anthony F. Farinacci of Sioux Falls, SD, James L. Farinacci and his wife Susie of Troy, she was the best mom to all of them; a sister, the late Antoinette DePrima of Stuyvesant; two brothers, Joseph and Frank Pino, both of Stuyvesant; seven grandchildren, Beth Cotton and her husband Casey, Ashley Farrell and her husband Brendan, Anthony Jon Farinacci and his wife Nicole, Zachary Farinacci, Philip Farinacci and his wife Elke, Amanda and Emma Farinacci; and 10 great-grandchildren, Beth Cotton’s two children Emily and Michael, Ashely Farrell’s son Ashdan, Anthony Jon Farinacci’s four children Samantha, Gianni, Juliana, and Vinnie Farinacci, Zachary Farinacci’s son Jake, and Philip Farinacci’s two children Greta and Otto.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. from St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stuyvesant Falls with the Reverend Frank O’Connor officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street (Route 9), Valatie. Flowers are welcomed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association online at www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
