Kurt Lehner (1953 – 2018)
CHATHAM—Beloved community member, radio host and dad Kurt Lehner, 65, died July 15 in Chatham unexpectedly.
He grew up in Rensselaer and Defreestville. He attended St. Joseph’s School and graduated from Columbia High School in 1971.
Mr. Lehner struggled his entire life with alcohol and drug addiction, and it was this that ultimately robbed him of his life. He leaves behind his one and only adored and now devastated adult child, Ace Lehner and Ace’s infinitely supportive and deeply sad spouse, Libby Paloma.
Mr. Lehner is also survived by his son’s mother and his longtime love, now ex, Valerie Edwards of California; his siblings, John Lehner (Trudy) and Karin Bosselman; cousins, Nancy Ciprioni, Lynne Beiermeister, Marion Robichaud (Joseph), Michael Edison (Jeanne) and Ronald Schulz (Deena); nieces and nephews, John Bosselman (Neil), Joanna Seguin, Nickolas Lehner (Ana Marie), Stephanie Rowe (Alan) and numerous dear colleagues and friends who will miss him very much.
As a longtime Chatham resident and honorary Hudsonite, Mr. Lehner helped make these communities what they are today. After losing his job at BASF Corporation in Rensselear due to NAFTA in the late 1990s, he worked freelance as a handyman helping many a friend and client throughout the Hudson Valley. In the last few years, Mr. Lehner worked at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany.
He was also a longtime programmer and dedicated listener to WGXC, often calling-in, giving shout-outs and co-hosting programs including Lonesome Cowboy Mystery Hour with Doug Clow and his adored partner of several years, the late Christina Malisoff and later Coyote Ghost with Laura Reed and most recently Abbie Khors.
Beyond his good taste in music, Mr. Lehner had a charming sweetness, a lovely open-mindedness and a penchant for silliness. Many of those who were close to him were fond of these qualities and delighted in his gentle good humor. He deeply loved his community, which made his days brighter. Sharing a sweet smile, a joke or a goofy time with him will always be something that those who loved him will share as they remember him fondly.
A community gathering/memorial for Mr. Lehner (open to all of his community) will be held: Friday, August 3, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hudson Hall, 327 Warren Street, Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the family memorial fund can be sent to: Ace Lehner, P.O. Box 105, 738 South Street, Peekskill 10566.
Arrangements are with the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com
Bernice Christian (1936 – 2018)
GHENT—Bernice Christian of Ghent, loving mother and grandmother of five children, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren passed away at age 81, Monday, July 30, 2018.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Christian, and two of her daughters, Barbara Yates and Debbie Zyryi.
She is survived by: her three children, two daughters, Denice Howard and Linda Yates; son, Timmy Christian; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, August 2 at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown. Services follow at noon at the funeral home. Burial follows in St. Sylvia’s Cemetery, Tivoli.
Arrangements are with the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown. Condolences may be expressed at yadackfox.com
