Alfred Gazzera, 87, decorated veteran, proprietor of auto body shop
HUDSON—Alfred “Fred” J. Gazzera, 87, of Hudson, died Monday, December 5, 2011 at Columbia Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Born November 1, 1924 in Hudson, he was the son of the late Deno and Teresa (Gallina) Gazzara.
He graduated from Hudson High School in 1943. While in high school, he played the trumpet in the band and orchestra. Mr. Gazzera served in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1945. He was a former prisoner of war in Germany and was awarded various medals including the Purple Heart. He was in the New York State National Guard prior to being drafted.
Mr. Gazzera was a partner and proprietor of Deno’s Auto Body Shop and Appraisal Service in Hudson for 41 years. He was a member of the Columbia Golf and Country Club, where he was chairman of the Bud Duntz and Fred Gazzera Golf League; a member of the V.F.W., the Disabled American Veterans, and American Ex-prisoners of War; a life member and secretary of the Hudson Elks Club, where he was on the bowling league and Elk of the Year in 1977; a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson, and a former member of the Hudson Lions Club.
He also coached Little League baseball and was a Boy Scout Leader.
Mr. Gazzaera is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean (Folz) Gazzera of Hudson; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Amparo Gazzera of Hudson; his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Murray of Hudson; his sister, Marie McKenzie of Alabama; five grandchildren, Tara Propst, Lauren Murray, David Gazzera, Andres Gazzera and Nicole Gazzera; two great-grandsons, Brady and Evan Propst and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 8 at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10 a.m. Friday, December 9 at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross of Northeastern NY, 33 Everett Road, Albany 12205. To leave a message for the family online go to www.batesanderson.com.
Katherine Persons, 62, registered nurse
CLAVERACK—Katherine E. Persons, 62, of Claverack, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2011 at home after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Hudson August 15, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Amlie (Barber) and Lawrence E. Gregory.
Mrs. Persons was a registered nurse at the Adventist Nursing Home in Livingston.
Surviving are: her devoted husband, David Persons of Claverack; two beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Onoffio Timperio of Rio Rancho, NM and Stephanie and Jay Howe of Livingston; her beloved grandchildren, Tony, Amanda and Katie Timperio of Rio Rancho and Ashley and Alyssa Howe of Livingston; two brothers, Lawrence E. Gregory, II, of Florida and Richard Gregory of Hudson; a step-son, Henry Persons and his wife Michaela, of Massachusetts and several nieces and nephews.
Services are private and at the convenience of the family.
The family thanks Community Hospice of Columbia Greene for their excellent care and concern for Mrs. Persons. To leave a message for the family go to www.batesanderson.com.
Wanda Morini, 96, homemaker, seamstress
GHENT—Wanda M. Morini, a resident of Ghent for 37 years, passed away December 5, 2011 at the Whittier Nursing Home.
She was born February 22, 1915 in New York City, the daughter of the late Ettore and Amelia Masi D’Ottavi.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Eraldo D’Ottavi, Fernanda LaBozzetta and Olga Masiello.
She was the loving wife of the late Paul E. Morini for over 72 years until his death March 11, 2009. She is survived by her devoted son, Randy, who resides in Ghent.
Mrs. Morini was not only a fulltime homemaker, but through the years had worked as a seamstress, managing her own women’s apparel alteration shop in the Bronx. She had also been a sales representative for Plymouth Shops in New York City.
A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday December 7, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Saint James Cemetery, Ghent.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. To send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Lynda McCagg, 68, beautician, liked to listen to the band
HUDSON—Lynda J. McCagg, of Austerlitz passed away December 5, 2011 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
She was born February 14, 1943 in Yonkers, the daughter of the late William B. Stoll, Jr. and Lola Courtney Stoll.
She was a graduate of Mahopac High School and later moved to Columbia County.
Mrs. McCagg was a beautician and enjoyed her work. She also loved listening to her husband Harry’s band when they would play. She liked cooking and loved her time with her family.
She is survived by: her beloved husband, Harry McCagg; her daughter, Lola Stoll and her husband Preston Tinker of Monterey, MA; her step son, Donny and his wife Carol of Canaan; her sister, Nancy Lent of Chatham; her two grandsons and two nephews.
Family will receive friends Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. McCagg’s name may be made to the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414. For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.frenchblasl.com.
Jo Ann McCreight, 74, teacher, librarian
ALBANY—Jo Ann O. McCreight, 74, of Kinderhook died Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Hospice Inn, Saint Peter’s Hospital.
She was born September 3, 1937 in Suffern, daughter of Leslie S. and A. Mildred (Roland) Oakley.
Raised in New Paltz, she graduated from high school and from State Teachers College there. She earned a master of library science degree from SUNY Albany.
On June 25, 1961 in the New Paltz Methodist Church, she married John C. McCreight, Jr., whom she met when they were teachers in Goshen.
Her husband survives her at home.
Mrs. McCreight was a teacher in Goshen, Hartford and Catskill and was on library staff at the Saugerties and Catskill public libraries, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Marist College and was librarian at Fulton-Montgomery Community College.
She enjoyed local and family history research and music. She sang with her father in the church choir and with the Treble Choraliers. As a girl, she was active in 4H and Girl Scouts.
Mrs. McCreight was a member of the Goodnow Flow Association of Newcomb, where she enjoyed time at her camp in the Adirondacks.
In retirement, Mr. and Mrs. McCreight made several trips in the U.S. and Canada, which allowed them to visit with relatives and friends while also doing genealogical research.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. McCreight is survived by: daughters, Jo Margaret McCreight, Jennifer C. Madlem (husband John) of Hudson, Leslie Ann McCreight (husband Dan Cartwright) of Palenville; grandchildren, John L. “JB” Brantley, Jr. (wife Tracy Feller) and Justin J. Brantley of Hudson, Jacob C. and Lily A. Madlem, Lila Rose Cartright; great-grandson, Jayden Brantley; her brother, Quentin J. and wife Merry DeWitt Oakley of High Falls; several cousins, nephews and nieces.
Visiting hours will be Saturday, December 10 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Route 9, Valatie, 1 to 3 p.m. There will be no funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Leslie S. Oakley Memorial Scholarship, the SUNY New Paltz Foundation, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz 12561-2443, or to a charity of one’s choice.