Donald K. Coons (1952 – 2017)
VALATIE—Donald K. Coons, 65, of Valatie died Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Barnwell Health Facilities.
Born February 2, 1952 in Hudson, he was the son of the late Donald Coons and Joyce (Webster) Gabe of Valatie.
Mr. Coons was a machine operator for F.H. Stickles and Sons for 35 years. He was a member of the Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness in Hudson. He played in several local bands as a drummer and was one of the most loving husbands, fathers and sons anyone could have. He was also loved by the staff and patients at Barnwell.
Besides his mother is survived by one son, Dylan Pierce Coons of Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his wife Elaine Coons.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29, 2 p.m. at Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness, 1169 Route 9, Castleton. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witness.
Edward Zdrodowski (1940 – 2017)
AUSTIN, TX—Br. Edward Zdrodowski, CSC a perpetually professed member of the Congregation of Holy Cross passed on to new life Good Friday evening, April 14, 2017, at the residence of the Holy Cross Brothers, Austin, TX.
He was the only child of Walter Zdrodowski and Mary Anne Pazacskas Zdrodowski, born May 1, 1940 and baptized at St. Anthony Church in Ansonia, CT.
He was educated at Assumption School in Ansonia and Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, (1958), and received a BS from St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX in 1962; a MS from Southern Connecticut State College in 1975 and an MA in religious education from Boston College, MA, in 1990. He professed first vows as a Brother of Holy Cross in 1959 and final vows in 1963. He ministered at Msgr. James Coyle High School in Taunton, MA (1962-1964), Notre Dame International School, Rome, Italy, (1964-1970 and 1972-1983), Cardinal Mooney High School, Rochester (1983-1988), Holy Cross High School, Waterbury, CT, (1988-1989) and Holy Cross High School, Flushing (1990-2014). Throughout those years he first taught chemistry, then religious studies and assisted in the Senior Service Program. When he retired from formal education in 2004, he resided at the Brothers’ residence at St. Edward’s University.
He is survived by his cousins, Barbara Grodnik and Richard Zdrodowski
A wake service took place April 19, 2017 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Center, Valatie April 20, 2017. Burial was in St. Josephs Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
John J. Miller (1942 -2017)
LAND O’ LAKES, FL—John “Jimmy” James Miller, 74, of Stuyvesant was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Florida Hospital.
Born July 15, 1942, he was the son of the late John H. Miller and Frances K. (Masters) Miller of Ghent.
Mr. Miller served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Boston as a navigator from 1959 to 1963. He was employed 28 years by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets as a meat inspector and U.S.D.A. Veterinary Services as an animal health technician until 2002.
Mr. Miller taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school for 20 years and was a member of the Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Kinderhook. He was chairman of the Columbia County Independence Party for six years, a member of the Kinderhook Elks Club, Glencadia Rod and Gun Club, the NRA and he was an avid deer hunter and loved his winter home in Lakeland, FL.
He is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth M. (Scalera) Miller of Stuyvesant; a son, the Reverend John Miller (Lisa) of Mellenville; grandchildren, John Joseph, Andrew, Elizabeth and Joshua Miller and Emily Hoffstetter; by his sister, Jerilynn Curtis, Darlene Butterworth; brothers, Howard Miller (Mary) and Thomas Miller; many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Walter Miller and Larry Masters.
Funeral services were held April 22 at the Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Kinderhook. Burial followed in Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Mary Ann K. Werner (1931 – 2017)
CHESAPEAKE, VA—Mary Ann Kirby Werner, age 85, formerly of Copake died April 6, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born December 27, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA, to Rose Marion (McCaffrey) and John Lee Kirby, Sr.
She graduated from St. Paul Cathedral High School in 1949 and earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Seton Hill College in 1953. She received an associate’s degree with a concentration in psychology and alcoholism counseling from Columbia-Greene Community College in the late 1980s.
She married her husband, Richard “Dick” J. Werner, Sr. in 1954. In 1967, they moved to Copake, where they raised their family of six children. In 1974, Mrs. Werner became a partner in their real estate firm, Birchwood Realty. The company tagline, “Where Clients Become Friends,” embodied the spirit they brought to the family business.
In 1991, Mrs. Werner founded the nonprofit, SESAME (Stop Educator Sexual Abuse Misconduct and Exploitation). She traveled throughout the country speaking to legislators and presenting at conferences.
She contributed chapters to two books on sexual victimization. In 1998, Mrs. Werner received the Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award from Seton Hill College for her work with SESAME. In 2000, New York State Governor John Pataki recognized her contribution to the “SESAME Bill.”
In 2002, Mrs. Werner retired to Virginia Beach, VA, and started an exciting new chapter in her life. She hosted lifelong friends and family members, developed close friendships, volunteered at the Old Coast Guard Station, played countless Canasta games, and enjoyed spending time with her daughter and grandsons.
She was a loving mother who devoted herself to her famiiy. Despite the hectic demands of raising six children and running a business, family dinnertime was always a priority. As her children grew and moved away, she found ways to keep them close and traveled regularly to Maine, Massachusetts, Scotland, Ireland, and Idaho to visit her children and grandchildren. Two days before she died, Mrs. Werner called her six children together to tell them how much she loved them, how privileged she was to be their mother, and to give them their final instructions to “be strong, be kind, and love one another.”
She will be remembered for her beautiful smile; her deep love for family and friends; her photo albums and scrapbooks: organized, archived, and filled with family history; her gracious hospitality and sense of fun; her deep bonds with her two brothers and extended family in Pittsburgh; and her determination to grow from a protected girl who came of age in the 1940s into the strong woman who found her own voice much later in life.
Mrs. Werner is survived by: her brother, Father Thomas McCaffrey Kirby; daughters, Kathleen Werner-Leap, Joanne (Daniel) Abrams, Marion (David) Moulton, Patricia (David) Blankenship; two sons, Richard (Mahalet) and Thomas (Suzanne); 11 grandchildren, Kimberly, Sarah, Micah, Naomi, Gregory, Timothy, Daniel, Sean, Linda and Grace and great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Jamilah and Jaeda. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard J. Werner, Sr. and her brother, John Lee Kirby, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to SESAME at http://www.sesamenet.org/ or Linda Kareema Werner’s college fund. Contributions to the fund maybe made out to College America and mailed to Davenport and Co., 101 West Main St. Ste 4000, Norfolk, VA 23501 attn Bill Emerson. To share memories or leave online condolences for the family visit http://peckandpeck.net. A memorial mass is planned for August 14, 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Church in Copake Falls.
T. Damian Monahan (1947 – 2017)
KINDERHOOK—Thomas Damian Monahan, 69, of Kinderhook passed away April 21, 2017 after a long struggle with a rare form of Parkinson’s called PSP.
Born in Auburn, July 28, 1947, he was the son of Thomas J. and Celia J. Monahan.
He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1965 and Niagara University in 1969, where he played basketball. He was involved in coaching his boys in basketball and baseball.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jane E. Quinn. They just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary April 18. He is also survived by: his children, Katie (Scott) Turrin, T. Kevin (O’Mally) Monahan and Brian (Megann) Monahan; his grandchildren, Gianna and Jack Turrin, McKenna Monahan and Quinn Monahan; two sisters, Christine (Bob) Lewandowski and Regina (the late William) Weller along with many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Monahan was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. He was a life-member of the Glencadia Rod and Gun Club and a volunteer for eight years with the Palmer Engine and Hose Co. in Kinderhook. He was a marathon runner and loved crossword puzzles. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally and enjoyed being with them more than anything. He was so proud of them all. He was a great man who was kind and content. He always thought a cure would be found for his illness and never once complained.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 25 at St. John the Baptist Church, Valatie, where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Reverend George Fleming. Burial followed in St. John’s Cemetery. The family thanks his caregivers at the Firemen’s Home who showed him respect and cared so well for him. Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or The Firemen’s Home. Arrangements were with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Faye M. Ary (1925 – 2017)
COPAKE—Faye M. Ary, 91, of Church Street, Copake passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017 at her residence.
She was born September 7, 1925 in Hamilton, OH, a daughter of Albert and Edna (Ebinger) Smith.
Mrs. Ary was a graduate of Hamilton High School, class of 1943 and began working as a secretary for the Hamilton Lumberyard. After the birth of her children she became employed as a legal secretary in Red Hook and Walton.
She was involved in Girl Scout cookie sales with her late daughter Lynn, was an avid square dancer and a skilled seamstress.
Mrs. Ary assisted her husband during the many stops of his ministry whether it be as a youth leader, lector or member of the United Methodist Women’s Society. A compassionate person, she donated to many charities to help those in need.
Mrs. Ary was predeceased by her husband, the Reverend Joseph Ary in 2016; her daughter, Lynn Rachel Ary in 2011 and a sister, Jean Poulemanos.
Survivors include: her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Dru Ary of Hillsdale; her granddaughters and their husbands, April Jo and David Whalen of Millerton and Hollie and Bryan Van Tassel of Claverack. She also leaves her great-grandchildren Riley and Parker Whalen and a soon to arrive great-granddaughter, Ellie Jo Van Tassel.
Friends are invited and may call Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 State Route 22 in Copake.
Funeral services will be held Friday April 28, 2017, 10 a.m. at the Copake United Methodist Church with the Reverend Lee Gangaware officiating.
Interment will follow in the Copake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia – Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414 or to the Copake and Craryville United Methodist Churches, Copake 12516.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Joseph E. Martin (1988 – 2017)
HUDSON—Joseph E. Martin, 28, died Wednesday, April 19 in Hudson.
Born December 28, 1988 in Hudson, he was the son of Kenneth Martin and Kim Marie (Coons) Martin.
Mr. Martin was a landscaper at the Secret Gardener in Hudson. He loved his family and was a true gentleman. He was well respected, and he showed the same respect to all he came in contact with. To lend a helping hand or to do whatever was asked of him, with nothing expected in return is who he was. He will truly be missed by all who love him.
He is survived by: his father, Kenneth Martin; son, Gabriel Martin; daughter, Kaelee Martin; nephew, Alex Martin and brother, Michael Martin.
He was predeceased by his mother, Kim Marie (Coons) Martin in 2014.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 23 at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Evelyn L. Doyle (1930 – 2017)
CATSKILL—Evelyn L. Doyle, 87, of Hudson died Saturday, April 22 at the Pines Nursing Facility with her devoted family by her side.
Born February 13, 1930 in Hudson, she was the daughter of Howard and Kathryn (Hallenbeck) Holt.
Mrs. Doyle lived her entire life in the Hudson area where she prided herself on being a homemaker. She was a member of several senior citizen groups and she loved to travel with them. Her love of travel also brought her to New Brunswick, Canada every year to visit family and research her family genealogy. She also loved children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was considered a mother to many, caring for all as if they were her own. Mrs. Doyle loved camping and sitting around the campfire singing songs. Her love of music included many different genres.
Left to cherish her memory are: two sons, Vernon (Barbara) Doyle and Michael (Diane Jacobs) Doyle; two daughters, Kathryn (Gary) Mousseau and Melissa (Donald) Cranna; grandchildren, Kimberly Doyle, Vernon Doyle, Jr., Amy Doyle, Shawn Mousseau, Mark Mousseau, Amanda Keyser, Jordan Keyser and Austin Cranna; great-grandchildren, Victoria Fingar, Vernon Doyle, III, Ryan Doyle and Brooke-lyn Doyle; five great-great-grandchildren, Payson Stevens, Madilyn Stevens, Keeley Keyser, McKenzie Doyle, Jackson Doyle and a great-great (Mousseau) to be welcomed soon. She is also survived by: a brother, Robert Holt; a sister, Frances Brady; sister-in-law, Marion Hamm, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Doyle was predeceased by her husband, Vernon E. Doyle; a brother, Vernon Doyle, and a sister, Helen Klucserits.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday April 26, at 1:00 from the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visitation hours will precede the funeral service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza #405 Albany 12205.
John C. Hanson (1948 – 2017)
ALBANY—John C. Hanson, 68, of Claverack died Saturday April 22, 2017 at St. Peter’s Hospice.
Born November 10, 1948 in Hudson, he was the son of Ernest and Elaine (VanBuren) Hanson.
Mr. Hanson was a hard-working truck driver and was owner/operator of his own company, Hanson Trucking, based in Hudson. He loved golfing and radio-controlled models. Mr. Hanson was devoted to his family, and absolutely adored his grandchildren. He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970 and was honorably discharged.
He is survived by: his wife, Rita (Gardina) Hanson; three sons and their wives, Jeremie (Tonya) Hanson, Mathew (Dawn) Morgan and John (Michelle) Malchow; four grandchildren, Brooke, Mathew, Alexander and Brandon and three sisters, Lorraine (Everett) Rossman, Jean (David) Williamson and Patricia (Peter) Spangler.
A memorial funeral service will be held Saturday, April 29, 3 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visitation precedes the funeral service from 1 to 3 p.m. Interment with military honors will be in Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are welcome to be made to St. Peter’s Hospice, 315 South Manning Boulevard, Albany 12208.
Gustave W. Thompson (1930 – 2017)
CLAVERACK—Gustave Whyte Thompson died peacefully at his home in Claverack after a long illness, April 23.
He was born August 11, 1930 in Brooklyn to John Stanley Thompson and Margaret (Egbert) Thompson.
He moved with his family to Claverack at an early age and remained a lifelong Claverack resident. He attended high school in Hudson and Oil City, PA. He was a graduate of the Wooster School in Danbury, CT, and Middlebury College, where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Mr. Thompson served in the 10th Mountain Division in occupied Germany. He was a past chairman of the Town of Claverack Planning Board, a past-president of the board of the Claverack Free Library, and member of the board of the Columbia County Golf and Country Club. Mr. Thompson was treasurer of the Thompson Construction Corp. of Albany, and supervised dozens of area projects, including the construction of Hudson High School. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Frederick Sievers Thompson, and sisters, Margaret (John P.) Meyer, and Frances (Alfred M.) Wedd.
He is survived by: his wife, Hildegard (Sievers) Thompson; sons, Stanley (Molly) Thompson of New Boston, NH, William (Amy) Thompson of Groton, MA, and Karl (Karen) Thompson of Amenia; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; brothers, John Henry (Valerie) Thompson of Delmar, Frederick Egbert (Roberta) Thompson of Barrington, RI; brother-in-law, Herbert H. Sievers of Louisville, KY; many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Thompson was an avid skier, golfer and maple syrup producer, and spent much of his retirement traveling the world with his wife of 59 years. He was loved and will be missed by all.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 28, 10:30 a.m. from the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visitation hours at the funeral home are Thursday, April 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery in Claverack.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Columbia and Greene Counties, or to the Claverack Free Library.
Dawn Couchman Orsted (1940 – 2017)
GERMANTOWN—A memorial service for Dawn Couchman Orsted, 76, of East Greenbush will be celebrated Thursday, April 27, 6 to 8 p.m. at Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown, with the Reverend David Tipple officiating at services at 7:30 p.m.
Ms. Orsted passed away March 25, 2017.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Cathy) Knott of Rensselaer and a brother, Barry J. Couchman of East Taghkanic. A complete obituary appeared in the April 13 issue.
