Yvonne M. Blass (1929 – 2019)
HERNANDO, FL–Yvonne M. Blass, 89, of Citrus Hills passed away June 29, 2019.
She was born August 23, 1929, in Brooklyn, the daughter of Harold and Maybelle Wilson (Thompson).
Schooled in New York and Long Island, she began her career in New York City working in major ad agencies for 11 years. She married Ronald Blass in 1949 and moved to the Albany area to raise their family, and later moved to Old Chatham where they lived until retirement. She was a member of the Schenectady Curling Club, Albany Curling Club, and the Westport NY Rifle Club.
Ms. Blass was the founder of the Hobby Hills Tack Barn. She later co-founded, with Ron Blass, R. T. Blass Inc. a marketing communications firm which they grew to be one of the largest ad agencies in upstate NY.
She was currently a member of Citrus Hills Women’s Club, Citrus Hills Golf Club, Citrus Hills Ping Pong Group, and the Good Shepard Lutheran Church. An avid sailor, she loved sailing the waters of the Great Sacandaga and Lake George.
Predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Ronald T. Blass, she is survived by: her sister, Doris Bambach and husband Eugene of Babylon, Long Island; brother, Dr. Harold Wilson, Jr. and wife Carol of Voorheesville; son, Kenneth Blass and wife Karen of Old Chatham; daughter, Kathy Weiss and husband Brian of Charlotte, NC; daughter, Diane Collazo of Clifton Park; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her significant other of five years, Arthur Sternby.
There will be a service at the Old Chatham Union Cemetery on Shaker Museum Road at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 3 for family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at Sabba Vineyard, 383 Pitts Road, Old Chatham. Friends and family are welcome to celebrate her remarkable life together.
W. Clyde Hitchcock (1948 – 2019)
STEPHENTOWN—W. Clyde Hitchcock, 70, died peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at his home in Stephentown.
Born in Albany December 16, 1948, he is the son of Yvonne Wasley Hitchcock of East Greenbush and the late William Hitchcock.
He was raised in East Greenbush and was a graduate of Columbia High School. He later settled in New Lebanon where he lived for many years before moving to Stephentown.
He was a self-employed master carpenter and was the owner of W.C. Hitchcock & Sons Construction. Prior to starting his own business, he had worked as a chimney sweep.
Mr. Hitchcock played for the Gallup Inn in the Echo Softball League in New Lebanon. He was always the life of the party and played the harmonica, spoons and the jaw harp. He was a Washington Redskins football fan and was an avid outdoorsman.
He is the beloved father of Serena (Phil) Horn of New Lebanon, Taylor (Heather) Hitchcock of Adams, MA, Mason Hitchcock of Stephentown, Ryan (Saskia) Hitchcock of New Lebanon and Mackenzie Hitchcock of Williamsport, PA; grandfather and “Poppycock” of Alesha and Devin Horn, Autumn and Avery Hitchcock and Desmin Hitchcock; brother of Diane Morris of East Greenbush, Pamela (Brian) Feldman of Florida and Kevin Hitchcock of East Greenbush. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 State Route 43, Stephentown, Monday, August 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a service at 6 p.m.
Sign the condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
