Brian F. Howard (1949 – 2015)
ALBANY—Brian F. Howard, 65, of Troy died February 20, 2015 at the Albany Medical Center from injuries sustained in a fall at his home.
Born in Saranac Lake he was the son of the late Timothy and Mildred O’Neil Howard and the devoted husband of Janet Tolbert Howard.
Mr. Howard was a graduate of St. Pius X High School in Saranac Lake and Paul Smith’s College, Potsdam State and the University of Albany.
He retired as the superintendent of the Troy School District, prior to that he was the superintendent for the Berlin, Queensbury and Liberty school districts, assistant superintendent for the Chatham School District, high school principal for Chatham and Cambridge school districts, and assistant principal for Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District.
He began his career as a teacher in the Brittonkill School District. He dedicated his life to the children in his charge and worked to make the world a better place for future generations.
Mr. Howard was active in the Rensselaer County Democratic Party and was the candidate for State Senator in the 43rd District last year. An avid Yankee fan, he loved to hike and was in the process of hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include: his loving children, Kate Howard of Troy, Eamon Howard of Rochester and Annie Howard of Brooklyn; brother, Patrick Howard (Marge) of Saranac Lake; sisters, Shirley Woodruff and Nancy Heath (Rick), both of Bloomingdale, Norma Howard of Saranac Lake and Joan Rustad of San Diego. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. from St. Augustine’s Church, 25 115th Street (between 4th and 5th), Troy, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Friends are invited and may call at the Frank P. McDonald & Son Funeral Home, 870 Second Avenue (124th and 125th Streets) in Lansingburgh, Tuesday, February 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Troy, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Howard’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to the Brittonkill Education Foundation, 3992 NY 2, Troy 12180.
Maurice Charles Mans (1927 – 2015)
GHENT—Maurice “Mo” C. Mans of Churchtown died Friday, February 20, 2015.
He is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Janice of Churchtown; his daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Joe Castle of Cairo; his son, Brian and partner, Christine Dylong of Hagaman; his grandchildren, Kathryn Schuck and partner Jeff Fabian of Cairo, Jimmy Schuck of Marco Island, FL, Joseph, Jr., and Emily Castle of Catskill; several nieces and nephews.
He was born April 13, 1927 in Great Barrington, MA, to Mildred and Charles Mans. He was predeceased by a sister, Nancy Mans Chicorelli of Oneonta.
A loving husband and caring father, Mr. Mans was always there to help those in need. A mechanic by trade he was the one who could get a motor running when no one else could. After graduating from Roeliff Jansen High School in 1945 he worked for a number of garages in his early years until he and his partner, Rodney Rushmore opened M&R Motors in Ghent and ran that business until they both went to work for the Columbia County Highway Department. Mr. Mans worked for the highway department for 16 years retiring as shop foreman in 1989.
Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Mans joined the Claverack Senior Citizens group and made many lifelong friends. They took trips all over the country especially wintering in Myrtle Beach for the last 10 years, with the exception of this year, and when that wasn’t enough the Mans went to Europe twice and Alaska once. Mr. Mans truly enjoyed traveling and was not afraid to leave his comfort zone. The only travel regret they had was not making it to Hawaii due to health issues.
Always one to give back to the community, he served on the Taconic Hills Board of Education, was a councilman on the Claverack Town Board, delivered meals through the Meals On Wheels program, was a past president and chief of the Churchtown Fire Company, past master of Widow’s Sons Lodge #335 F&AM, Livingston, member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown, coached in the Ockawamick Little League and Columbia County Babe Ruth League was a member of the OxBow Club in Hillsdale and was active in the Roe Jan Alumni Association.
Besides his family, Mr. Mans had many passions in life but none were more enjoyable to him than spending time hunting in Maine with his son and good friends, Rolf Schmalzer, Sr., Rolf, Jr., and Steven Miller. From May through November he was typically found on his lawn tractor mowing his property so he could watch the wildlife.
Mr. Mans’ family thanks the staff at Columbia Greene Dialysis Center who were there for him during the last three years of his life.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport, Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 26, 2015, 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Churchtown.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Churchtown Fire Company, 2219 County Route 27, Hudson 12534.
Rosalie Rothvoss (1925 – 2015)
ANCRAMDALE—Rosalie Rothvoss celebrated her 90th birthday February 9 and then took her last earthly breath February 20, 2015, when angels took her to her heavenly home.
A beloved mother and grandmother, she was born in Pine Plains to Walter and Gladys (Cooper) Shook.
The family moved to Ancramdale, where she met Henry Rothvoss. They were married August 4, 1945. Mr. Rothvoss predeceased her in 2006.
Together they ran the family farm. Mrs. Rothvoss kept the business books until her sight wouldn’t allow it any longer.
She served on the Town of Ancram Board of Assessment Review and was a member of the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the National Button Society since 1978 and truly enjoyed traveling all over the United States for button meetings.
She is survived by: her children, Henry Rothvoss of Ancramdale, Daniel Rothvoss of Ancramdale, Theresa (Paul) Jensen of Manhattan, MT, and a daughter-in-law, Margaret Rothvoss of Ancramdale.
She also leaves 11 grandchildren, Brenda (Keith) Neer, Hank (Danielle) Rothvoss, C.R. Rothvoss, Jessica Handschuh, Wayne Handschuh, Danny (Stephanie) Rothvoss, Rebekah (Shane) Jette, Adam (Jessica) Jensen, Jonathan Jensen, Isaiah (Jessica) Jensen and Danielle (Nate) Daulton; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Kody, Dustin, Matt, Luke, Maylea, Rachel, Alexus, Skyy, Kimberly, Tyler, Natalie, Hayden, Ruth, Henry, Josh, Levi, Chloe and Austyn.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
