Katherine S. Secovnie (1928 – 2019)
STUYVESANT—Katherine S. Secovnie, 91, of Stuyvesant died Monday, December 23, 2019 at her home.
Born September 17, 1928 in Valatie, she was the daughter the late William and Anna (Quandock) Youzwak.
Ms. Secovnie was a registered nurse and worked for Columbia Memorial Hospital, Pine Haven Home, Barnwell and the Firemen’s Home. She volunteered for area organizations and cared deeply for her family.
She is survived by: two daughters, Diane Gelhorn of Stuyvesant and Cindy Reynders (Rich) of Florida; two sons, Paul Secovnie of Hudson and Brian Secovnie (Kristin) of New Mexico; one sister, Frances Mackey of Schodack; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Friday, December 27, 1:30 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Calling hours will be held Friday, December 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the funeral. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stuyvesant Falls at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Margaret R.B. DeLong (1935 – 2019)
GHENT—Margaret Rose “Bunny” Bemiss DeLong, 84, of Ghent passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2019 surrounded by her family.
She was the daughter of the late Margaret (Olah) and Charles Bemiss. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Elizabeth Bemiss Berry; her husband, Bruce DeLong, Jr., and son, James A. DeLong.
Mrs. DeLong belonged to the Ghent Reformed Church where she was an active member and taught Sunday School for many years. She loved her community and became involved with Little League affairs as a parent and later became vice president in charge of the minor league. Because of her continued work with the league, upon her retirement from Little League in 1990, she was given a plaque of appreciation. She also was a group leader in the Ghent Progressive 4H Club of Ghent and was a den mother for Cub Scout Pack 127.
She served as secretary for the Ghent Recreation Committee at one point and was a member of the Ghent Doers. She volunteered many hours at the Ghent Food Pantry and because of her community involvement she was honored with a volunteer appreciation certificate from the Town of Ghent in 2007. She also liked to stay active and was an avid bowler for many years.
She graduated from Chatham High School in 1953 and was 11th in a class of 61. She also graduated from Albany Business College, class of 1954, with high honors. She was also a member of the Alpha Iota Sorority.
Mrs. DeLong loved her children, grandchildren and great children with all her heart. They brought her much joy and happiness. She is survived by: two sons, Charles (Debra) DeLong of Ghent and Robert (Donna) DeLong of Brunswick, ME; five grandchildren, Eric DeLong of East Chatham, Rebecca (Jesse) Orozco of Hudson, Virginia DeLong of Columbia, CT, Leighanne (Matthew) Wurtz of South Berwick, ME, and Lexie (Joey) Triggiani of Durham, ME; two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be Saturday, December 28, 10 a.m. to noon from the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham with the funeral service to follow at noon. Interment will be in the Ghent Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ghent Reformed Church or the Ghent Fire Department. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
Thomas J. Leahy, Sr. (1936 – 2019)
RENSSELAER—Thomas J. Leahy, Sr., 83, of Rensselaer, formerly of Levittown and New Port Richey, FL, passed away Monday, December 23, 2019.
Born October 27, 1936 in the Bronx, he was the son of the late Denis J. and Lillian (Sheehan) Leahy.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Margaret.
They had four children: Thomas J. (Kathleen) Leahy, Jr., of Murphy, NC, Catherine (Michael Scott) Leahy-Scott of Valatie, Timothy W. Leahy of Guilderland and Joan (Frank Davis) Leahy Davis of North Greenbush. He is also survived by: three brothers and two sisters, Denis Michael (Carol) Leahy, Robert Leahy, Kevin (Kathleen) Leahy, Mary Patricia (James Vela) Leahy and Denise (David) Spar; six grandchildren, Thomas J. (Kat) Leahy, III, Patricia E. (Frank) Paino, Kerri A. Leahy, Christian V. Leahy, Megan E. Scott and Michael Thomas Scott and two great-grandsons, Frank and Nicholas Paino.
He was also predeceased by his sisters, Margaret A. Mahon and Loretta Cafaro.
In his younger days, Mr. Leahy played basketball at All Hallows High School in the Bronx; was named to the All City basketball team and then went on to play basketball on full scholarship for Villanova University. It was at Villanova that he met his wife, “Marge,” who was with her high school visiting the university. In recent days he loved to watch basketball and many other sports as well as at least four news channels.
Mr. Leahy served as a police officer for 37 years for the Inc. Village of Floral Park and for 36 of those years he was the president of the Floral Park Police Benevolent Association. He also served as president of the Nassau Police Conference. During his years as a police officer, he also was a member and assisted lobbying efforts on behalf of police for the Metropolitan Police Conference of New York and the Police Conference of New York. His entire career was dedicated to the protection and advancement of police officers. He was a fierce negotiator representing union issues to benefit police officers. He lobbied for legislative bills which supported police and their mission. Mr. Leahy was an advocate for the rights, integrity and reputation of all police officers.
Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Florida. Health issues brought them back to New York to be close to family. His beloved Marge passed away October 28, 2019. As there is no “Tom and Marge” without Marge, he succumbed to his health issues eight weeks after her death to be with her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, December 30, 2019, 11 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 667 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush with Fr. Quy Vo and Fr. Joseph O’Brien con-celebrating. Calling hours will be held Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Private interment will be scheduled at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rensselaer.
