Glenn Van Alstyne (1926 – 2012)

VALATIE—Glenn “Bud” Van Alstyne, 86, died Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Barnwell Nursing Home.

Born November 17, 1926, he was the son of Albert and Florence (Jacobs) Van Alstyne.

He is survived by two nieces, Gretchen Rossi of Flintstone, GA, and Tamara Proniske of Kinderhook, and one nephew, Kevin Nooney of Stuyvesant.

He was predeceased by his sister, Jane E. Nooney and brother, Warren “Sonny” Van Alstyne.
Mr. Van Alstyne enlisted in the Navy in April 1944. He was a seaman first class aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Boxer. Upon returning from service in May 1946, he lived and worked for the next 60 years in Stuyvesant Falls, where he also pursued a life-long love of hunting, fishing and trapping.

Mr. Van Alstyne was a member of the Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company, the VFW Memorial Post #9593 and the New York State Trappers Association.
His family will be forever grateful to his friends in Stuyvesant Falls, especially his buddies at the VFW for the help, concern and care they provided, enabling him to remain in his hometown surroundings until he entered Barnwell Nursing Home.

He became known around town as quite a character who gained a reputation for coining words and phrases that are still a part of the Stuyvesant Falls vernacular today.

The family also thanks the nursing staff on the fourth floor of Barnwell Nursing Home for the compassion and care they provided for the past six years.
There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held at the Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery on Thursday, August 9 at 11 a.m.

At the conclusion of the graveside service, friends are invited back to the VFW Post for a celebration of Mr. Van Alstyne’s life where a little “W” will be served.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Memorial VFW Post #9593, P.O. Box 73, Stuyvesant Falls 12174.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Valatie.

Mary Leighton (1932 – 2012)

HUDSON—Mary Louise Leighton, 79, of Stuyvesant entered into eternal rest Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.

Born September 14, 1932 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Viola (Schlansker) Hotaling.

Before her retirement, Mrs. Leighton was employed by the New York State Treasury Department in Albany.

She is survived by: her daughter, Judy Leighton-Ryan of Stuyvesant; her son, Kevin Leighton of Pittsfield, MA; one sister, Marge Manti; two brothers, Clyde and James Hotaling; six grandchildren, Jillian Leighton, William Ryan, Nicole Leighton, Zachary and Sydney Leighton-Ryan and Nathaniel Leighton; one great grandson, Maddox Downes and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert A. Leighton Sr., her son, Robert “Beau” Leighton and her brother, David Hotaling.

The family thanks the Columbia Memorial Hospital’s  ICU, Pastor James Slater, extended family, friends and neighbors for their support, compassion and prayers.

There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Route 9, Valatie 12184. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.

Sharon Perry (1941 – 2012)

ALBANY—Sharon P. Perry, 70, of Koenig Road, Ghent died suddenly at St. Peter’s Hospital, August 1, 2012.

Born September 3, 1941 in Belfast, ME, she lived the last 40 years in Ghent.

She was a teacher-aide for Chatham Central School District for 27 years and a student mentor at the middle school for many years.

She was co-director of the Ghent Food Pantry. She was a member of the Ghent Reformed Church and an active volunteer.

She is survived by, her husband of 54 years, Daniel L Perry, Sr. She was the loving “Mum” to Daniel L. Perry, Jr. (Lisa Carey Perry) of Malden, MA and Lori Perry Cocca (Scott Cocca) of Sand Lake. She was the proud “Mimi” to Alexandra Perry, David and Jamie Cocca. Also surviving are: siblings, Darrell Payson of Littleton, MA, Delma Paul of Belfast, ME, Janice Shute of Stockton Springs, ME,  Burton Payson of Dedham, ME, Maureen Larrabee of Beltsville, MD, Carold Payson of Yarmouth, ME, Lauren Payson of Belfast, ME, Cheryle Larrabee of Davidson, NC, and Cherylene Labbe of Topsham, ME.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August, 4 at the Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 County Route 22 in West Ghent.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ghent Food Pantry, P.O. Box 98, Town Hall, Ghent 12075.

Arrangements were with the Wenk Funeral Home, Payn Avenue, Chatham. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com