Peter R. Minichiello (1947 – 2014)
ALBANY—Peter Minichiello of New York City and Stuyvesant Falls died after a brief and brave battle with lymphoma, March 31, 2014. He was 67.
Originally from Lynnfield, MA, he was educated at Bard College and built a respected, successful career raising money for the causes that he held most dear.
During his tenure at AmFAR, he raised millions of dollars for AIDS research and was instrumental in launching “Cinema Against AIDS,” a fundraiser held every year at the Cannes Film Festival. He served as senior vice president for external affairs at Lighthouse International, raising funds to support services and research to help people with low vision and blindness lead independent, productive lives. He also served as director of development for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where he oversaw several innovations that led to increased donor outreach and giving.
Most recently, he was senior vice president for development at New York Downtown Hospital. Throughout his life, he continued to support causes in the arts and humanities through his tireless work as a trustee of numerous charitable organizations.
A man of significant professional achievements, Mr. Minichiello always spoke first, and with great pride, of the accomplishments of his family and friends. He was a consummate son, brother, uncle, godfather and friend.
Mr. Minichiello was a connoisseur of the arts, food and wine, as well as a self-described “serious movie buff.” He sought only the best, and delighted in discussing memorable shows that he had seen, books he had read, and restaurants where he had dined. He especially enjoyed welcoming friends and family to his home in Stuyvesant Falls, where he lived for the final years of his life.
Those who met him will remember his spirit, cheer, generosity, and sense of humor. Conversations were richer and parties were merrier for his presence. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Minichiello.
He is survived by: his loving mother, Virginia Minichiello of Lynnfield, MA; sisters, Lisa (Bob) Folsom, Paula (Mark) Granofsky and Anita (Leonard) Wos; nephews, Burton (Natalia Espinal) Granofsky, Adam Granofsky and Frederick Sieg; niece, Sarah (Michael) Toce; and godchildren, Sophia Appel, Jake Davidson and Emily Spahr Madden.
A funeral Mass was held at the Church of Saint Joseph, 1820 Route 9, Stuyvesant Falls, Saturday, April 5. A reception in the church hall immediately followed. A memorial service is also being planned in New York City for later in the spring. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Joseph Lafay (1937 – 2014)
VALATIE—Joseph D. LaFay, 77, formerly of Sharon Springs passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at Barnwell Health Facilities.
Born March 15, 1937 to the late Ernest and Lorraine Lafay, he graduated from Hudson Falls High School and Hudson Valley Community College. He retired from General Electric after several years.
He is survived by: his sister, Jeanne Reed; three brothers, John (Ellen) LaFay of Hudson Falls, James (Elaine) LaFay of New Castle, PA, and Michael (Bev) LaFay of Portage, IN; a cousin, Elaine (Leo) Altizio; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a niece, Lorrie Reed and a brother-in-law, Bud Reed.
There will be no calling hours.
Burial will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Helen L. Drumm (1933 – 2014)
ALBANY—Helen L. Drumm, 80, of Gibbons Road, Stuyvesant died Thursday, April 3, 2014 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn.
Born November 14, 1933 in Kinderhook she was the daughter of the late John and Leone M. (Risch) Leiser.
Mrs. Drumm was a food service worker at Ichabod Crane Central School for many years and a life member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stuyvesant.
She was a secretary for the church council for several years and a past president and treasurer of the Ladies Aid Society of the church.
She is survived by: five children, Terry Drumm (Catherine) of Ghent, Peggy Drumm of Stuyvesant, Paul Drumm of Stuyvesant, Jeffrey Drumm (Lori) of Stuyvesant Falls, Gregory Drumm of Stuyvesant; a sister, Gladys Kowalski of Stuyvesant; a brother, Harold “Skip” Leiser of Stuyvesant; three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Andrew and Dillon Drumm; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Arnold Drumm; her daughter, Beth Drumm and a brother, Warren Leiser.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 7, 1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, County Route 26A, Stuyvesant with Pastor Dan Cohn officiating. Burial will follow in Kinderhook Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Raymond E Bond Funeral Valatie.
Edith M. Seaman (1914 – 2014)
PHILMONT—Edith M. Seaman, 99, of Greenport, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2014 at Pine Haven Nursing Home in Philmont.
Born December 22, 1914 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Mable (Hallenbeck) Hicks.
Mrs. Seaman was a homemaker and lived all of her life in the Hudson area.
Surviving are: her son, Donald (Jeanette) Seaman of Greenport; two grandchildren, Chelsea (Rob) Rice of Ghent and Jason Seaman (fiancée Heidi Hallock) of Hudson; three great-grandchildren, Brandon Rice of Mellenville, Alyssa Rice of Ghent and Danielle Ellis of Hudson; her niece, Clair O’Neil of West Ghent and several cousins.
Mrs. Seaman was predeceased by her husband, Elden Seaman in 1992.
A calling hour will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, April 7 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Services will follow at 11 a.m., Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenport. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Emma Rose Scott (1929 – 2014)
HUDSON—Emma Rose (Wright) Scott, 84, of Hudson was called home Tuesday, April 1, 2014 after a long illness.
Born April 23, 1929 in Ridgeland, SC, she was the daughter of the late Orlee (Towers) Wright and Alonzo Wright, Sr.
As a young child she was raised in the Baptist faith. She met her husband, Samuel E. Scott, Sr., when she was 17 years old and married him November 23, 1946.
Mrs. Scott was a homemaker and devoted to her family. They will mourn her passing and treasure her memories forever.
She is survived by: her loving children, Samuel Earl (Marion) Scott, Jr., Patricia Ann Scott, Tina Louise Scott-Coleman, and Darlene Scott; her brother, Alonzo (Emma) Wright, Jr., of New Haven, CT; eight grandchildren, Zarrell Scott of Watervliet, Chad Reyes of Hudson, Kianesha Albright Coleman of Hartford, CT, DeEmma Coleman of Florida, Dontanion Scott-Grimes of Hudson, Derek Scott of Hudson, LeEmma Monroe Frost of AL, and Deona Scott of Hudson; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; her cousin, Herman Wright of Ridgeland, SC; and three sisters-in-law, Thelma Scott of Hudson, Eloise Grantam of Portsmouth, VA, and Elizabeth Wright of Pittsfield, MA.
She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel E. Scott, Sr., in 2010; her daughter, Brenda, and four grandsons, Bacardi Sims, Robert Coleman, Jr., David Monroe, IV, and Devon Scott.
A calling hour will begin at noon, Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Myron Garrison Finkle, Jr. (1929 – 2014)
RHINEBECK—Myron Garrison “Gary” Finkle, Jr., 84, of Upper Red Hook passed into the arms of the Lord, April 2, 2014 at the Thompson House.
Born June 30, 1929, in Yonkers, he was the son of the late Myron Garrison Finkle, Sr., and Karoleen (Kort) Finkle.
The Finkle family moved to Red Hook when Myron was five and he went on to graduate from Red Hook High School.
For more than 40 years, Mr. Finkle worked at IBM as a reproduction specialist in both their Kingston and Poughkeepsie locations. He was a member of the IBM Quarter Century Club.
Mr. Finkle served in the United States Navy from 1947 to 1950.
He was master (president) of the Rock City Grange in Milan, a member of the Dutchess County Pomona Grange and the State and National Grange. A 20-year member of St. John’s Reformed Church in Upper Red Hook, he served on their consistory and property committees. Mr. Finkle served as the co-president of Tri-Mountain Square Dance Club of Pine Plains, as auxiliary member of Northern Dutchess Hospital and volunteer driver for Caregivers. He also was a member of the Southern Tier Senior Citizens.
Mr. Finkle married Nancy L. Needham July 15, 1956 in Livingston. She survives at home in Upper Red Hook.
In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by: a sister, Lael Finkle Muller McClellan of Sun City, CA; a niece, Tracie Muller Dedrick of Hudson; two nephews, David Muller of Hudson and David Pearson of New York City; two cousins, Paul Hoffman of Germantown and Phyllis Boomhower of Leeds; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., April 12, 2014 at St. John’s Reformed Church, Upper Red Hook. The Reverend Eric Titus will officiate. Interment will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.
Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Reformed Church, 126 Old Post Road North, Red Hook 12571 or the Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 5002, Rhinebeck 12572.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook.
For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.