Clara A Haywood (1942 – 2015)
ALBANY—Clara A. Haywood of Cornwallville died February 16.
She was a devoted wife and the loving mother of two sons, Clarence R. Haywood, Jr., and Louis S. Haywood.
Calling hours are at the M. Grimaldi Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, Friday, February 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. with religious services at 6:30 p.m.
John “Jack” L. Decker (1935 – 2015)
HUDSON—John “Jack” L. Decker, 79, of Hillsdale passed away Wednesday February 18, 2015 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
He was born July 2, 1935 in Great Barrington, MA, a son of the late Mary (Lorette) Decker.
For many years he operated the former Hillsdale Sport Shop. After his retirement he ran his own landscaping business.
Mr. Decker was a former member of the Hillsdale Fire Company and was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed both hunting and fishing. In his younger years he was an elite softball pitcher in many local leagues.
Survivors include: his children, Craig Decker and companion Gail Bright of Hillsdale, Michael Decker and wife Tara also of Hillsdale, Scott Decker and wife Jacquelyn of Craryville, Diane Demarest and husband Nathan of Portland, OR, and Heather Decker of Hillsdale; his grandchildren, Amie Decker, Scott Decker and Dylan Decker; several siblings; nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, John L. Decker, Jr.
Friends are invited and may call at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Route 22, Copake, Saturday, February 21, 2015 from 2 to 4 p.m. Spring interment will be in the North Copake Cemetery, Craryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327, Copake 12516. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Ida B. Clapp (1935 – 2015)
ALBANY—Ida B. Clapp, 79, of Hillsdale passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at Albany Medical Center.
She was born in Pittsfield, MA, the daughter of Charles and Ida Reed Bradley.
She was raised in Lee, MA, where she was valedictorian of her high school class and worked as a secretary until her marriage.
Mrs. Clapp is survived by: her husband of 59 years, James; son, Charles of Hillsdale; daughters, Diana McCarthy (Brian) of Delmar and Marjorie Linko (Adam) of Livingston Manor; her brother, William Bradley (Mary Ann) of Mechanicsburg, PA; her niece and nephew and their families. She was so proud of her grandson, James Bradley Linko and loved him with all her heart.
Mrs. Clapp was an active partner with her husband, her son and her in-laws in the family’s dairy farm, Sunny Mead Farms, Inc., for more than 50 years.
She enjoyed nature and the beauty of country life. Mrs. Clapp was genuinely kind and especially loved children, welcoming them into her life. She was a Sunday school teacher, lay minister, and 25-year treasurer for the Craryville United Methodist Church. She served as a 4-H leader, Salvation Army treasurer, school and library volunteer, and co-chair of a Board of Education advisory committee. Her passion for helping others was also demonstrated through her work as a federal food surplus distribution coordinator, Meals on Wheels program coordinator, and senior citizen food and friendship site volunteer. She was an avid reader and supporter of the Roeliff Jansen Public Library for more than 50 years. Her involvement in the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Columbia County Farm Bureau lead to leadership positions culminating in election as County Farm Bureau President, only the second woman to hold the post. Her energy and sense of humor were a delight to all.
Friends are invited and may call at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Route 22 in Copake, Monday, February 23, 2015 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Deacon Jackie Jefferson officiating.
Spring interment will be in Hillsdale Rural Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, P.O. Box 669, 9091 Route 22, Hillsdale 12529.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Bruno Prystajko (1943 – 2015)
ALBANY—Bruno Prystajko, 71, of Albany died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center.
Born August 18, 1943 in Markendorf, Germany, he was the son of the late Wasyl and Anna (Stepz) Prystajko.
He graduated from Hudson High School, Hudson Valley Community College and ITT Tech. He worked as an electronic software technician.
Mr. Prystajko served in the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1966.
Surviving are: two brothers, Michael (Caroline) Prystajko of Hudson and Iwan (Helenia) Prystajko of Maplewood, New Jersey; his nephew, Michael Prystajko, Jr., of Delaware; four nieces, Katrina Prystajko, Olga Prystajko, Linda Prystajko and Sonya Prystajko; 10 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Calling hours are at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson, Sunday, February 22, 2 to 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hudson, Monday, February 23 at 10 a.m.
Burial will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.
John D. Weinman (1928 – 2015)
HUDSON—John D. Weinman, 86, nearly a lifelong Hudson area resident, passed away peacefully January 25, 2015 after a short period of declining health.
Born and raised in Hudson, Mr. Weinman graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1947 and St. Michael’s College in Vermont in 1951.
He joined the Register-Star as circulation manager in 1954; he became the editor and general manager in 1958 and then vice-president of both the Register-Star and the Chatham Courier in 1969.
Mr. Weinman was an active member of the New York State Publishers Association and was involved with the Hudson Rotary Club, SPOUT and many other civic activities in and around Hudson. He was proud to have received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America for distinguished service to the local council. After leaving the Register-Star in 1980, Mr. Weinman embarked on a multi-faceted career including working for newspapers in Greene, Dutchess and Orange counties and later marketing for premium outlet malls, first with Woodbury Common in Central Valley and later with malls in Wilmington, DE, and Santee, SC. In retirement Mr. Weinman was a volunteer with hospice in Wilmington, then returned to Columbia County and became a volunteer with The Community Hospice in Catskill for more than 10 years. Finally, Mr. Weinman received the Life Long Learning Award from Columbia-Greene Community College in 2011 in recognition of his “outstanding dedication to lifelong learning.”
He is survived by his children and their families: Jonathan Weinman and his wife, Hope of Marshfield, MA; David Weinman and his wife Stacy of Westfield, NJ, and their children Jake, Rachel, Ben and Matthew; Pamela Weinman of Glenmont; Kristina Flathers and her husband Christopher of Wilmington, DE, and their children, Henry and Kathryn. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Shirley Carr and by many nieces and nephews and their families.
On Saturday, February 28 visiting hours with Mr. Weinman’s children will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 12:30 p.m., all held at Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Weinman’s name may be made to The Community Hospice, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414, www.communityhospice.org.