Donald W. Hamm (1934 – 2023)
VALATIE—Donald W. Hamm, 89, of Valatie passed away suddenly February 19, 2023 at his home.
Born January 6, 1934 in Valatie, he was the son of the late Fayette and Mabel (Hotaling) Hamm and the husband of the late Sara (Zellmer) Hamm.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Before retiring, “Don” was a machine tender for the Fort Orange Paper Company in Castleton. He was an avid horseshoe player and loved to bowl. He enjoyed his puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles.
He is survived by: his daughters, Sharon and Faith Hamm, both of Valatie; his grandson, Jason Dingman; his great-grandchildren, Brayden and Abby Dingman; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Raymond, Arnold, Lester, Ronald, Robert, John, Edna, Dorothy, Olive, Janice, Mabel and Lois.
A graveside service with military honors was held February 27 at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Valatie with the Reverend Nick Becker officiating. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Robert R. Coscio (1939 – 2023)
ALBANY—Robert R. Coscio, 83, of Livingston entered into eternal rest Monday morning, February 20, 2023 at St. Peter’s Hospital with his family by his side.
Born August 31, 1939 in Rhinebeck, he was a lifelong area resident. He was the son of the late Giuseppe Libero and Catherine Theresa (Vincent) Coscio.
After his father’s tragic death in 1945, his mother married his stepfather, Walter Munson, II.
“Bob” received sacraments at St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook and attended Red Hook Central Schools. He married Dorothy Quinlan April 30, 1960 at St. Sylvia’s Church in Tivoli and together they raised their family.
In 1957, he began his career as a professional regional truck driver hauling local fruit and produce to the markets in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia while working for Adam Lawson and Bill Mabie trucking companies out of Columbia County. In 1964, he became a member of the Teamsters Local #294 working for Bonded Freightways hauling tanker cement to clients throughout the northeast supporting the construction of the World Trade Center, the New York State Thruway, and many other prominent regional projects. After the buyout of Bonded in 1972, he continued employment with Matlack Systems, Inc. achieving full seniority with one of the largest chemical transport companies in the U.S. where he stayed for 25 years. Following this period, Mr. Coscio continued his career working for Ryder Logistics/Columbia Corporation hauling paper and hauling flour out of ADM Hudson for Foodliner, Inc. and Albany Transport. In all, he drove for 60 years and millions of safe miles while holding his CDL with various endorsements from 1957 to 2023.
He spent much time over the years taking in the sights along the Hudson, watching with binoculars the tugboats, barges, and eagles. He was a lifelong tractor enthusiast and collector, and had a great appreciation for history with particular emphasis on WWII. He was unwaveringly devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren and was a dedicated friend always willing to lend a hand or an ear. To the delight of family and friends, he was also an enthusiastic storyteller—sharing tales of his years on the road and experiences in various places where he made friends and encountered characters of all sorts. His greatest pleasure in life was being in the company of family and friends sharing a homecooked meal, a cup of coffee, or simply just the passing time.
In addition to Dorothy, his devoted and loving wife of 62 years, he is survived by: his beloved daughters, Dorraine (Martin Joyce) of Charleston, Lorena (Brad Thiel) of Slingerlands and Susan of Berlin, Germany; his cherished grandchildren, Robert, Kyle and Patrick Streib, Catherine and Michelle Joyce, and Samuel and Nicholas Coscio-Thiel; six great-grandchildren; dear sisters, Catherine Colfer and Margaret Olah; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Coscio and Sonia Munson; much-loved cousins; many nieces and nephews, and numerous treasured friends of all ages.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three younger brothers, Charles Coscio, Timothy Munson and Walter Munson, III, and many cherished relatives and friends.
Family and friends are invited for calling hours at the Burnett & White Funeral Home, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook Monday, February 27, 2023 from 4 to 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church in Red Hook. Fr. Jeffrey Maurer will officiate. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, www.stjude.org/memorial, or to Shriners Children’s New England, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104, www.LovetotheRescue.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes. For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.
Cornelius Rogers, Jr. (1949 – 2023)
FRISCO, CO—Cornelius “Sonny” Rogers, Jr., 73, of Hudson passed away suddenly February 18, 2023 in Frisco, Colorado, while traveling with his wife.
He was born December 22, 1949 in Great Barrington, MA, to the late Cornelius Casey and Bertha (Bartlow) Rogers.
He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1969 until 1973 when he was honorably discharged. He cherished the stories and experiences he had while he was in the Air Force and recently traveled to the bases where he was stationed. He worked for Columbia County facilities division before working as a toll collector until his retirement. He was an active member of the Hudson American Legion Post 184, where both he and his wife volunteered many hours together. He was also a life-member of the Ghent VFW Post 5933.
He is survived by: his wife, Irene Rogers; five children, whom he loved as his own, Lester “Bucky” Hosier, III, and his wife Margaret of Copake, Inez Campbell and her partner Mike of Thomaston, CT, Amiee Fluery of Albany, Gene Bouchard, Jr., and his wife Christine of Myrtle Beach, SC. and Monique Jennings and her husband Richard “Tiny” of Hillsdale; grandchildren, Eric and Alex Campbell, Erica Campbell SPC, Shawn Dingee, Jr., Caylah, Andrea and Caitlyn Slavin, Renee and Richard Jennings, JC and Rayann Bouchard; great-grandchildren, Joey and Maverick Campbell, Zander Slavin, Sterling Fray, Justice and Raelyn Slavin; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Mr. Rogers’ life will be held in the spring and will be announced.
Inurnment will take place with military honors at Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery also in the springtime.
Iris L. Smith (1938 -2023)
PHOENIX, AZ—Iris L. Smith, 84, of Kinderhook passed away peacefully February 2, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Born July 12, 1938 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Ludwig and Anna (Weismeyer) Klotz and the wife of the late James Joseph Smith.
She was a homemaker and a member of the Stuyvesant Garden Club as well as a former nurse.
She is survived by: her children, Suzette Luise O’Connor of Kinderhook and Stephen (Tanya) James Smith of East Greenbush; her grandchildren, Michael John O’Connor, Annika, Soren and Jameson Smith, and many friends.
Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her brothers, Ludwig Joseph and Michael Peter Klotz.
Friends are invited to a receiving line Monday, March 6 starting at 10 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant Falls with a service at 11 a.m. followed by interment at the Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014, hov.org. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
