David “Butch” W. Harrison, Sr. (1940 – 2014)
GHENT—David “Butch” W. Harrison, Sr., 74, of Ghent died December 20, 2014 surrounded by his wife June L. “Judy” L. (McComb) Harrison of 56 years and family.
He was born in Philmont, July 26, 1940 to the late William J. Harrison and Jeanette (Nash) Harrison.
He was a lettered athlete and graduated from Ockawamick High School in 1958. Upon graduating he joined the U.S. Army and served with the Army Security Agency. In 1965 he became a member of the New York State Police serving 24 years until his retirement as an investigator with the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the Claverack barracks. In 1989 he was hired by then District Attorney Paul Czajka as chief investigator with the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office. He left the District Attorney’s Office after 11 years and in 2002 began his first term as Ghent Town Justice, a position he held until his death. Over his 40-plus years of law enforcement service he was involved in many major crime investigations, received several commendations and completed numerous training courses including certification as a fire investigator and instructor.
Mr. Harrison was a 52-year member of the Spencertown Fire Company, social member of the Ghent and Chatham fire departments, member and past commander of American Legion Post #42 Chatham, member of the Ghent Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ghent Rod & Gun Club, New York State and Columbia County Magistrates Associations and Ghent Reformed Church.
He is survived by: his sons, David Harrison, Jr., (Kelly) and Michael Harrison of Spencertown; daughters, Maria Ostrander (Larry) of Philmont and Suzette Booy (Chris) of Ghent; his sister, Dianne Cox (David) of Corinth; brothers, Donald Harrison (Nancy) of Greenfield Center, William Harrison (Janet) of Schenectady, Robert Harrison of Cleveland, Ohio, and his Shih Tzu driving companion, Maggie. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Daniel, Lee and Adam Harrison, Sarah Harrison, Ashley, Brian and Colleen Ostrander and Amanda and Emilee Booy. He had many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Rudy Harrison and sister, Geri Clay (Harrison).
Calling hours will be at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport, Friday, December 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held Saturday, December 27, 11 a.m. at the Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 County Route 22, West Ghent. Interment will be at the Spencertown Cemetery, County Route 7, Spencertown. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mr. Harrison may make contributions to the Spencertown Fire Company, P.O. Box 1, Spencertown 12165 and/or the Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 County Route 22, Ghent 12075.
Judy A. Pezzee (1942 – 2014)
HUDSON—Judy A. Pezzee 72, of Philmont, a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, December 20 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born June 5, 1942 in Hudson, she was a bookkeeper for the Philmont Hearth in Philmont for many years. She was the loving mother of Michael Pezzee and his girlfriend Susy Crepeau, both of Claverack.
Calling hours will be Monday, December 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Sacco McDonald Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. Funeral services will be Tuesday morning, December 23, 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Reverend John Hodges officiating.
Burial follows in Mellenville Union Cemetery.
Mary J. Abitabile (1926 – 2014)
GHENT—Mary J. Abitabile, 88, a lifelong resident of Hudson, passed away peacefully in the company of her sons, Friday, December 19, at Whittier Nursing Home. Born April 12, 1926 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Francesco and Lena (Cariseo) Russo.
She was a graduate of Hudson High School and then Austin Beauty School. She was a self-employed beautician. Mrs. Abitabile was a proud and active member of the Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy, as well as the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Hudson. She was a loving wife, mother, grand- and great-grandmother who enjoyed her family and family traditions.
She will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Antonio “Tiney” Abitabile; her two sons and their wives, Philip and (Christine) Abitabile, Francis and (Renee’) Abitabile, all of Hudson; her brother, John B. and (Margaret) Russo; one sister, Carolyn Russo; grandchildren, Antonio and (Meghan) Abitabile, Kayla and Alyssa Abitabile, Sarah Farnam, Brett Farnam, Jenny Neuhoff and (Joseph); great-grandchildren, Gavin Philip Abitabile, Ellis Carolyn Abitabile, Quinn Darcy Neuhoff, Amelia and Ian Farnam; several nieces and nephews and her godson, Michael Sandagato. She was predeceased by her sister, Christine Sandagato.
Prayers will begin Monday, December 22, 10 a.m. at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph (Holy Family) in Stottville. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery Hudson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy #659, 27 Bridge Street, Hudson 12534. To leave an online condolence visit www.saccomcdonaldvalenti.com
Marguerite Wagner Clum Shook (1914 – 2014)
GHENT—Marguerite Wagner Clum Shook passed away in Ghent, December 20, 2014.
She was born at the Hudson City Hospital, September 12, 1914, the daughter of the late Harry and Florence Seipel Wagner.
She attended school at Blue Stores and later graduated from Germantown High School in 1932. She attended New Paltz Normal School, now SUNY New Paltz, and studied voice under vocal teacher, Grace Fritz Newman of Hudson.
She was a member of the Livingston Manor Grange for many years as well as the Hospital Auxiliary at Hudson and served on the board in her younger years.
She was an active member of the Hudson Christian Women’s Club having served on the executive committee for many years.
Mrs. Shook was a member of the Linlithgo Reformed Church at Livingston and actively served as a Sunday school teacher, sung in the choir and participated in many organizations.
She is survived by: two sons and their wives, John Clum and wife Edith, David Clum and wife Bonnie; stepdaughter-in-law, Roberta Shook; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husbands, F. John Clum and Thayer Shook.
Calling hours will be at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson, Saturday, January 3, 2015, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 1 p.m.
Burial will be in Livingston Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.
Rosemary A. Robertson (1942 – 2014)
STANFORDVILLE—Rosemary A. Robertson passed away peacefully Friday, December 19, 2014 in Stanfordville.
She was born in the Bronx, June 16, 1942 to William T. and Rose A. (Griffin) Holland.
She graduated from St. Barnabas High School and attended nursing school at St. Claire’s, both in New York City.
She worked for more than 40 years as the office manager at the dental offices of Drs. Kleese and Hayhurst, DDS, in Amenia.
She loved being by the water whether it be on Sandy Pond, the beaches of Lake Ontario, or the gulf beaches of Sarasota County, Florida.
She was active in the Stanford Fire Company and was past president of the Ladies Auxiliary.
On September 1, 1961, she married Donald S. Robertson in Bangall. He survives at home.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by: her daughters, Eileen M. Robertson of Fishkill, Susan J. Robertson and her husband Keith Ryan of Stanfordville and Elizaville; her son, Donald S. Robertson, Jr., and his wife, Aimee Cabral Robertson; the loves of her life, her grandchildren, Samuel Scott and Amelia Renee Robertson of Southington, CT; three sisters, Barbara Menti of Red Hook, Kathryn Flato of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Regina Benvi and her husband Michael of Pleasant Valley; a brother, William T. Holland, III, and his wife Patricia of Poughkeepsie; and a brother-in-law, Ronald “Skip” McPhilliamy of Glennview, Illinois; many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly; and her lifelong friend, Judy Brennan of Stanfordville.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her twin sister, Patricia A. McPhilliamy; her nephew, James “dink” McPhilliamy and her son-in-law, Cedric F. Rivera.
There are no calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held at the family’s convenience.
Memorial donations are requested for the Stanford Rescue Squad and Stanford Ladies Auxiliary of Stanfordville. Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home.
