Perry Waldorph, 84, WWII vet, man of many talents
COPAKE—Perry F. Waldorph, 84, of Copake, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2012 at his residence.
Born April 22, 1927 in Hudson, he was the son of the late John and Sarah (Johnson) Waldorf.
Mr. Waldorph was raised in Chatham and was the last living member of The Gas House Gang baseball team. He loved roller skating and spent many hours at the Chatham rink. He also performed in a three-man skating act around the area.
His Air Force service in Germany introduced him to some fine people, including a famous concert pianist. During his service he received the Wreath of Merit twice and a World War II Victory medal.
After his discharge, he became a private detective. He was then the manager of Knox Roller Rink in the 1950s, where he met his wife-to-be, Janet. Later he owned a Mobil gas station on Route 7 in Niskayuna, and then was an auto mechanic for both Firestone and Goodyear tires. He worked as a retirement application examiner for the New York State Department of Audit and Control until his retirement in 1983. All along the way, he tried to share whatever he gained from his experience by helping others.
In addition to his work, he enjoyed being the #1 crew chief, hot air ballooning with his pilot wife. Love of country and service were very important to Mr. Waldorph, and his trip to the Washington, DC, World War II Memorial was especially treasured. His beloved beagles were his constant companions.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Janet (Barton) Waldorph of Copake; his daughter, Debra (Peter) Coppola of Schenectady; his son, David Waldorph of Florida; three grandchildren, Aaron, Jessica and Michael, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Leona Schermerhorn.
Calling hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 29 at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 30 at the West Copake Reformed Church.
Burial will be in the West Copake Reformed Church Cemetery. The family acknowledges and thanks Drs. Davis and DeMarco, the NYOH Cavell Center and the Columbia Greene Hospice team for their excellent care.
Donations may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414, or to the Cavell Cancer Center, 69 Prospect Avenue, Hudson 12534.
Barbara Thiemann, 84, art therapist and teacher
GT BARRINGTON, MA—Barbara J. Thiemann, 84, of Hillsdale passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at Fairview Commons in Great Barrington, MA.
Ms. Thiemann was born August 22, 1927 on Long Island, the daughter of the late Otto and Margaret (Gehrig) Thiemann.
After graduating from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute and a Master of Arts degree from Adelphi University.
During the Korean War, she worked as an art therapist at Veterans Administration Hospitals on Long Island. After teaching on Long Island, she moved to Hillsdale in 1960, where she was employed as an art teacher at the Roeliff Jansen Central School and the Taconic Hills Central School District until her retirement in 1986.
She is survived by her son, Kevin Thiemann and his family of Copake Falls; a sister, Patricia Anderson and her family of Sherrills Ford, NC.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband.
There are no calling hours.
A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in North Hillsdale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the Community Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327 Copake 12516 or the Hillsdale Fire Company, P.O. Box 328 Hillsdale 12529 or Hospice Care in the Berkshires, Inc., 877 South Street Suite 1 West, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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