Alan F. Dole (1943 – 2019)
WATERBURY, CT—Alan “Al” F. Dole, longtime Chatham resident, peacefully departed this life Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Waterbury, CT, after a lengthy illness. His family was by his side.
Born April 13, 1943 in Springfield, MA, he was one of three children: J. Robert Dole (deceased) and Janice Dunn, born to the late Helen Louise (Abbott) and John Markham Dole.
He spent his adult life in Chatham. He was married for 49 years to his college sweetheart, Jane, who died in 2016.
Educated in the East Longmeadow, MA, school system, Mr. Dole graduated from East Longmeadow High School. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Stockbridge School and completed his college studies at Westfield State University. After college, he enjoyed a long career in agriculture and sales.
Mr. Dole was active in the Chatham community. He supported school and athletic activities particularly when his daughter, Kim, was a participant. Family was everything to him and he was devoted to Kim, his son-in-law, Thomas Allen and his grandsons, Jaiden Gray, Kai Robert and granddaughter, Maila Jane.
In addition to his immediate family, he leaves many family and friends to cherish his life and memory including: his sister, Janice Dunn; nephews, Sean Dunn (Jung Kwak), Harley Dole (Debbie); nieces, Julie Smith (Marshall), Heather Hampton (Charlie), Sherry Dole and many great-nephews and nieces.
An avid fisherman, Mr. Dole and his beloved wife spent winters in Florida where he and his friends enjoyed the perennial sunshine.
He was also a dedicated football enthusiast. He was involved with the Empire Football League (EFL) operations for almost 40 years as a player, coach, owner and deputy commissioner. He was a respected leader and mentor who was held in high regard by everyone he met. There are numerous stories that describe him as a wise, compassionate coach who saw unrealized potential in athletes and challenged them with opportunities to play when other doors were closed. Mr. Dole’s contributions to semipro/minor league football led to his selection to the prestigious American Football Association’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Contact Kim Allen at kjallen@gmail.com for any further information.
Killian A. Waldorf, Jr. (1943 – 2019)
COPAKE—Killian A. Waldorf, Jr., 75, of Copake passed peacefully in his sleep at his home Sunday, February 24, 2019.
He was born December 15, 1943 in Great Barrington, MA, a son of the late Killian and Anna (Carle) Waldorf, Sr.
Affectionately known as “Junie” he worked for the Kimberly-Clark Paper Mill in Ancram for more than 25 years prior to his retirement. A former dairy farmer in his younger years he also was a truck driver and heavy equipment operator.
He proudly served his country with the United States Army from 1965 to 1967 as a sergeant in Vietnam receiving two Bronze Stars. He was a member of both the Copake VFW Post and the Closson-Raught American Legion Post in Copake Falls.
An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and was an enthusiastic collector of all types of John Deere memorabilia. Above all Mr. Waldorf was a family man who simply enjoyed the company of his daughter, grandchildren, extended family and friends.
He leaves: his loving and devoted daughter, Melissa Waldorf and companion Mark Gansowski of Copake; his cherished grandchildren, Hannah Waldorf, his namesake and only grandson, Killian Waldorf and June Gansowski. He was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Skylar Renee Waldorf and his loving sister, Linda and her husband Bob Rothvoss. He also leaves a brother, Sheldon and wife Patsy Waldorf of Ancram; a special niece, Kelly Zempko, whom he fondly called “His Little Miss Kelly” along with many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his older brother, Richard Waldorf. In addition he leaves his beloved dogs and co-pilots, Winchester and Duke.
Friends are invited and may call at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22 in Copake, Thursday February 28, 2019 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1, 11 a.m. from the funeral home with Deacon Steven Gubler officiating.
He will be buried beside his beloved granddaughter, Skylar Renee in the family plot at the West Copake Cemetery. The United States Army Honor Guard will perform military honors.
Pall Bearers will include Jeffrey Darling, Charles Boyles, Joseph Kilmer, Robert Burns, Jeremy Moore and Rhett Patterson.
In his memory kindly consider a donation to the Kildonan School, 425 Morris Hill Road, Amenia 12501.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
William D. Lee (1961 – 2019)
RHINEBECK—William D. Lee, 57, of Gallatin passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Northern Dutchess Hospital.
Born April 3, 1961 in Sharon, CT, he was the son of James Lee of Little Falls and the late Barbara (Dennis) Lee.
He married Cynthia Chesna in North Tarrytown, May 15, 1982. She predeceased him October 11, 2015.
For many years, Mr. Lee worked as a mechanic and machinist at U.S. Lumber in Pine Plains.
A gentleman farmer, he enjoyed working with his animals and tending to his gardens. His greatest joy came with spending time with his grandchildren riding their four-wheelers.
He is survived by: his two daughters, Amanda Lee of Red Hook and Jessica (Edward) Yoli of Germantown; his siblings, Rodney (Cindy) Webb of Lakeville, CT, Tim Lee of Livingston, Lisa (Leonard) Jennings of Bradenton, FL, Bonnie (Bruce) Shetsky of Craryville and Mark (Sandy) Lee of Ancram; his loving grandchildren, Aidan Lee, Francis Bauer, Jr.; David Bauer, Kaylee Maddaloni, Kyler Maddaloni, Gretchen Yoli and Brooke Yoli; along with extended family and numerous friends.
In addition to his wife and mother, a brother, James Lee, Jr. predeceased him.
Funeral services were held at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, February 23. Interment will be private.
Amy R. Sivulich (1962 – 2019)
MILAN—Amy R. Sivulich, 56, a longtime resident of Milan, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at her home after a four-year battle with cancer.
Born April 14, 1962 in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of Joyce Gustin of Elizaville and the late Thomas Niekrewicz. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1984 in accounting from Siena College.
She married Edward “Butch” Sivulich in 1985 in Rhinebeck. He survives at home.
For many years, Sivulich worked as a self-employed CPA, and previously worked for Schaine and Company CPA’s-based in New Paltz.
She was a longtime communicant of St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook.
Active in her sons’ athletic endeavors, Mrs. Sivulich served as the president of Red Hook Soccer in Red Hook; president and board member of Middlepath FC Soccer based in LaGrange; and as manager of Ironbound Soccer Club in Newark, NJ.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her loving and devoted sons, Josh Sivulich, Tyler Sivulich and Zach Sivulich, all of Milan; along with extended family, countless friends and colleagues.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated February 26, 2019 at St. Christopher’s Church, Red Hook. Interment will be private.
Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Sivulich’s memory to the Columbia Brain Tumor Center, http://www.columbianeurology.org/patient-care/neuro-oncology-brain-and-spinal-tumors/donate
Arrangements were under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook.
Mary Blair (1954 – 2019)
ALBANY—Mary Blair (née Motta) passed away Monday, February 18 at her home in Albany. She was 64-years old.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Stephen Blair of Scarborough, ME; daughter, Leigh Widjeskog and her husband Jared of Stuyvesant; step-daughter Stephanie Blair and her husband Asher Boggioni of Portland, OR; daughter, Alexandra Cummings and her husband Ryan Kenney of Albany; grandchildren, Maya and Johan; mother, Antoinette Motta of East Greenbush; three sisters, Fran (Chris) Rickert, Julie (Joe) Langan and Chelsea (Bill) Koslow; and brothers, Jack, Francis, Paul and Albert.
Mrs. Blair maintained a strong faith in God and was welcomed into the afterlife by her father, Frank and brother Anthony, among many others.
She was born in Albany November 14, 1954 to Frank and Antoinette Motta. After attending St. Anthony’s and Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School, she and her family moved to East Greenbush, where she graduated from Columbia High School in 1972.
She went on to marry Terrence Cummings of Valatie and raise two daughters, on whom she doted. She worked as a stenographer and legal secretary, but was proudest of her roles as a mother and wife.
She married Steve Blair in 1996 and volunteered her time at Rosewood Nursing Home and the East Greenbush Public Library until relocating to downeast Maine in 2002. One of her lifelong passions was American history, and she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maine at Machias in 2013.
Mrs. Blair will forever be remembered for her gentle spirit, dedication to caring for others, and unsurpassed cooking skills. She was also a talented gardener and pianist. In her later years, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, with whom she shared her love of reading and cookie baking.
Her family thanks Dr. Heidi Godoy and the wonderful staff at Women’s Cancer Care at St. Peter’s Hospital, where she received excellent care following her cancer diagnosis in February 2018. “We are grateful that she was able to remain in the comfort of her home thanks to assistance from the staff at Community Hospice.”
A memorial gathering will be held at Simple Choices, 218 Second Avenue (corner of 104th Street), Troy, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2019. All friends and family are encouraged to attend.
Robert P. Cooper (1935 – 2019)
NORTH CANAAN, CT—Robert Paul Cooper, 83, a two-year resident of Sharon, CT, and 49-year resident of Millerton, died peacefully Friday, February 22, 2019 at Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Cooper was the founder of Associated Lightning Rod Company, Inc., based in Millerton, a family business with more than 60 years and three generations of experience that continues today. He retired in 2002.
Born October 27, 1935 in Sharon, CT, he was the son of the late Paul J. and Mary (Mycek) Cooper. Following graduation he received an associates degree from Dutchess Community College in accounting. On July 11, 1959 at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, he married Mary Darnell. Mrs. Cooper survives at home.
He was an avid golfer and enjoyed wintering at his home in Florida. He loved flying; was an accomplished accordion player and was a past-president and life-member of the Millerton Lions Club. He loved spending time with his family and will be dearly missed by all.
In addition to his wife, Mary, Mr. Cooper is survived by: four children, Robert Cooper and his wife Tammy of Millerton, Catherine Gray and her husband Rodney of Melbourne, FL, James Cooper and his wife Kimberly of Ancram and Elizabeth Cooper of Sharon, CT; his brother, John Cooper and his wife Sharon of Stanfordville; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Calling hours will be held Friday, March 1, 2019 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 2, 2019, 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Route 22 and Lavelle Road, Amenia. The Reverend R. Kent Wilson will officiate. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia. Memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, 4 Lavelle Road, Amenia 12501 or to the Millerton Lions Club, Millerton 12546. To send an online condolence visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
