Peter Gerkman, Jr. (1941 – 2012)
STUYVESANT—Peter Gerkman, Jr., 71, of Stuyvesant died Monday, October 22, 2012 at his home.
Born May 2, 1941 in Spoden Brnik, Slovenija, he was the son of the late Paul Peter and Marija (Ovijac) Gerkman.
He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy, a volunteer fireman in Athens and Niverville, and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College, where he studied refrigeration technology. For 20 years he was owner, operator of Berkshire Refrigeration, Inc. until it was acquired by Tougher Industries. He was employed by Tougher Industries in Albany as a project manager.
Mr. Gerkman was a lover of nature–a birder, fisherman, hunter, photographer and videographer extraordinaire. He enjoyed spending time with everyone in his extended family, providing them with memorable stories and fun. Heavy equipment operation was his forte and football was his love. High school “Friday Night Lights” was his favorite event to attend.
He is survived by: his wife, Mona (Cichello) Gerkman; three children, Dionne Dawson of Stuyvesant, Peter Gerkman, III, and his wife Tricia of Valatie and Rhonda Gerkman of Waterford; five sisters, Martina Vicha of Saratoga Springs, Helen Delano of Mechanicville, Marinka Gerkman of Athens, Ivanna Swiers of Saratoga Springs and Katarina Holbrook of Troy; three brothers, John Gerkman of Burgaw, NC, Anton Gerkman of Poestenkill and Michael Gerkman of Stockport; 10 grandchildren, Katarina Cortright, Shawn and Hunter Dawson, Peter W., Shawn, Ryan, Ashleigh and Ella Gerkman, Tamyshia MacKay, Liam Gerkman; three great grandchildren, Jude, Mikayla and Toriana; several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A memorial service takes place at the funeral home at 1 p.m. with the Reverend Joseph Falletta officiating. Burial immediately follows at the Athens Rural Cemetery.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Peter Gerkman, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First Niagara Bank, P.O. Box 744, Valatie 12184. The fund will provide a college scholarship to an Ichabod Crane football athlete.
L. Barbara Richardson (1928 – 2012)
HUDSON—L. Barbara Richardson, 84, of Hudson, died Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born April 17, 1928 in Jersey City, NJ, she was the daughter of the late William R. and Louise Barbara (Feely) Richardson.
Miss Richardson received a Ph.D. from Columbia University. She was a professional writer and teacher. She wrote for the Medieval Academy of America and the American Society of Geolinguistics for the Publication Geolinguistics. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson.
She was predeceased by her sister, Jane Martinez; two nieces, Mary and Claire Martinez and two nephews, Thomas and Mark Martinez.
Surviving are: several cousins, including Richard and Sheila Harvey of Connecticut; many good friends, including Elizabeth and William Hamilton of Hudson, Ray of Hudson and her dog, Buddy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 24 at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson.
Arthur E. Rote (1946 – 2012)
HUDSON—Arthur E. Rote, 66, of Philmont, died Sunday, October 21, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born July 27, 1946 in Hudson, he was the son of Arthur and Alice (Clark) Rote.
He was a bus driver for Michael Johnston in Philmont. He was a member of the Greenport Fire Company #1.
Surviving are: his wife, Sheila (Law) Rote of Philmont; three sons, Brian Rote of Philmont, Randy Rote of Craryville and Ricky Rote of Stottville; three grandchildren, Samantha Rote of Catskill and Skylar and Ayden Rote, both of Stottville; his brother, Roger Rote of Greenport; four sisters, Barbara Almstead of Greenport, Elizabeth Robie of Stuyvesant, Frances Osuch of Hudson and JoAnne Marler of CO; many nieces and nephews.
A calling hour will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 25 at the Bates & Anderson Funeral Home, Hudson followed by services at 2 p.m. at the funeal home.
Burial will be in Mellenville Union Cemetery.
