Henry J. Craft (1929 – 2020)
GHENT—Henry J. Craft, 90, passed away Saturday, January 4 at Whittier Nursing Home.
He was born December 16, 1929, the son of the late Irving and Marian (Kurtze) Craft. He graduated from Chatham High School Class of 1947 and is a veteran of the U.S. Army having served from 1954 to 1956.
Mr. Craft began his long career at GE in Schenectady working as a designer and draftsman in the heavy duty gas turbines division, retiring in 1995.
In 1951, he married the late Margaret (Wilder) Craft, who died in 2010. He was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church, Ghent VFW Post # 5933, Columbia Lodge #98 F&AM. He served on the Ghent Union Cemetery Board and played baritone in the Ghent Band for many years.
He is survived by: his sister, Eleanor Moses of Valatie; nieces, Deborah J. Moses of Hudson and Cheryl A. Moses of Jordan, NY, and a sister-in-law, Delores Craft of Racine, Wisconsin. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by brother, George I. Craft in 1993 and brother-in-law, Frank Moses.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, January 9, 10 a.m. to noon with a funeral service to follow at noon from the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham.
Interment will follow in the Ghent Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ghent Band, 2117 Ridge Road, Valatie 12184; the Ghent VFW Post #5933, 2237 Route 66 Ghent 12075 or to the American Heart Association, 4 Atrium Drive #100, Albany 12205. To send online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
David A. Matthews (1962 – 2020)
CRARYVILLE—David Arthur Matthews, 57, of Craryville passed away peacefully January 4, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 13, 1962 in Catskill, to the late John A. and Naomi (Barnum) Matthews.
His passion in life was working on cars or anything with a motor. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing and sitting around the camp fire with family and friends. His willingness to help will surely be missed by many.
Mr. Matthews is survived by: his longtime companion, Lincolna Talarico; his stepchildren, Krystal (Carver) Cobbins and Warren Carver, Jr.; his six siblings and their spouses, John (Peggy) Matthews, Jr., Irene (Andy) Scheffer, June (Danny) Matthews, Sharon Kuhnow, George (Jennie) Matthews and Ralph Matthews; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Daniel (Becky) Talarico, Sophie (Derek) Alger, Lucinda (Daniel) Talarico; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many cousins.
He was predeceased by: his parents; sister, Louise Matthews; his brother-in-law, Charles Kuhnow, and mother-in-law, Elizabeth Talarico.
Visitation hours will be held January 18, 2020, 1 to 3 p.m. from the Bates and Anderson – Redmond and Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
William E. Thomas (1936 – 2020)
NIVERVILLE—William E. Thomas, 83, of Niverville passed away suddenly January 4, 2020 at home and in his bed, as requested.
Born November 25, 1936, he was the son of the late William and Sarah Thomas.
“Bill” was an expert at plumbing, electrical and mechanical fixes, having owned and operated the auto repair shop, Bill’s Service Center in the Village of Nassau for more than 59 years until shortly before his death.
He is survived by: the love of his life for 60 years, his wife, Jane, who made his eyes light up even at the end.
He was a beloved father to daughters, Kim Thomas, Tammy LaRue and Pam (Dow) Haynor; treasured “Pop” to granddaughters, Katie (JT) Shaw, Jessica (Jake) Fisher, Ashley (Joey) Uccellini, Lyndsay Haynor, Courtney LaRue; grandson, Tyler LaRue; great-granddaughters, Sophia Uccellini and Luna Shaw and great-grandson, Rocky Uccellini.
There will be no public services at the request of the family. Arrangements were with the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm Street, Nassau. Online condolences may be offered at mooneyfuneralhome.com
Mary J. Leggieri (1928 – 2020)
HUDSON—Mary Jean (Jordan) Leggieri passed away peacefully January 5, 2020 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. She was born March 27, 1928 in Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. When she was two-years-old her family relocated to New York where she resided throughout her life.
In 1946, she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Hudson. During World War II, Mrs. Leggieri traveled via ferry to Athens, New York, supporting the war efforts as “Rosie the Riveter.” She was employed with AT&T (Verizon) for 25 years as a switchboard operator, retiring in 1982. She volunteered throughout her life most recently helping out at “The Second Show” in Hudson. She was member of the Hudson Elks Lodge Ladies Auxiliary for many years.
Mrs. Leggieri was predeceased by her parents, William and Agnes (Moscow) Jourdin; her husband, Peter Leggieri passed away in 2010. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Alan, George, Lloyd, John, William; her sister, Marguerite Dobrowski and sister-in-law, Modestine Leggieri.
Her sister, Eleanor Duntz survives in Atlanta, GA, and her sister-in-law, Florence Fitzsimmons in Delmar.
She leaves behind: her children to cherish her memory, Darryl (Margaret) Leggieri, Peter (Maureen) Leggieri, Laurie (William) Drahushuk and Michael Leggieri; her grandchildren will remember her fondly, Darryl Leggieri, Jr., (Heather), Geoffrey (Christina) Leggieri, Julie, Jennie and Aaron (Amber Rooney) Drahushuk, Louis, Salvatore and Lisa Leggieri; seven great-grandchildren, Keenan, Griffin, Morgan, Jake, Gianna, Jada, and Juniper and many nieces and nephews.
Her family thanks her at-home caregivers, Marvel and June, who treated her with love enabling her to remain at home for as long as she did. The family extends its gratitude to the staff of the fourth floor at Columbia Memorial Hospital for their care and kindness during her final days.
Donations in Mrs. Leggieri’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The family is respecting her wishes to forgo any services. To leave a message of condolence visit www.batesanderson.com
