Gilbert Raab (1927 – 2019)
GHENT—Gilbert Raab passed away at his home April 5, 2019. He was born in White Plains to Albert Raab and Agnes (O’Connor) Raab, August 23, 1927.
After graduating from Yonkers High School “Gil” served as a private first class in the U.S, Army until 1946.
He attended Long Island Agriculture and Technical Institute and received an associate degree in poultry husbandry in 1949. After graduation he was employed at two major poultry breeder/hatchery farms in Connecticut. In 1953 he purchased a 100-acre farm in Ghent on which he raised poultry and produced eggs.
After 17 years of farming, he became a real estate broker here in Columbia County under the watchful eye of Irving Price. In 1972 he became involved with the Town of Ghent, volunteering to help initiate the first zoning regulations in the town.
In 1997 he was hired by the Town of Ghent as zoning enforcement officer and served in that position with distinction, stepping down in 2014. He loved his farm, especially the 50-acres of woodland and his 1949 John Deere tractor model M. His home away from home was Barkley’s Lake in PA. He started going there in 1931 with his parents and family and continued to visit up until his death.
Mr. Raab is survived by: loving companion, Carol H. Calvin; his first cousins, June Hoffman Keller, Lucille Hilgeman Covell and Donal Levitt and his friend of 65 years, Betty Ann Dzelzitis, formerly of Kinderhook.
He had an incredible and satisfactory life and was fortunate to achieve his life’s goal of living in the country.
Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 299, Chatham 12037.
Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Katherine V. Costacurta (1922 – 2019)
BETHLEHEM, PA—On April 9, 2019 Katherine Villanova Costacurta passed away in Bethlehem, PA, to join the Lord. She was 97.
Born in Barnesboro, PA, March 21, 1922, at the age of two, with her seven siblings and parents, she relocated to the town of Marostica, Italy, where most of her family resided. There she was raised, then married her husband, Aldo.
Mr. and Mrs. Costacurta and their four-year-old daughter, Marisa, sailed to the United States, New York Harbor. They settled in Hudson. Seven years later, their son, Gary, was born.
Mrs. Costacurta was an expert seamstress, very meticulous and accomplished. Her true passions, however, were her family and cooking/baking. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church and helped in any way she could. She was a member of the Columbia Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. They loved it when she brought her famous apple pies.
She is survived by: her children, daughter Marisa (John) Gebhardt of Baldwinsville and son Dr. Gary (Cynthia) Costacurta of Bethlehem, PA; her cherished grandchildren, Todd (Michelle) Harris, Tiffany (Michael) Bottar and Julia Costacurta; her most precious great-grandchildren, Tyler and Madeleine Harris and Anthony and Andrew Bottar.
She was predeceased by brothers, Anthony, Peter, John, Luigi and Giuseppe, and sisters, Mary and Lena.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 13, noon from Holy Trinity St Mary’s Parish in Hudson.
Visitation will be Saturday at the Bates & Anderson Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to Mass.
