Oliver C. Grannis (1934 – 2104)
ALBANY—Oliver Culver Grannis of Chatham, born July 5, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA, died December 26, 2014.
He spent his childhood in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Milwaukee.
He graduated high school from Milwaukee University School, obtained a BA from the University of Madison, Wisconsin, an MA from Columbia University, and a PhD in linguistics from the University of Michigan, with a dissertation on the Acholi language of northern Uganda. He was professor of the English language and linguistics at the University of Osnabrück in Germany for 25 years. He was in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1960 in the Counter Intelligence Corps in Offenbach Am Main, taught in New York City, worked in Kabul, Afghanistan from 1966 to 1968, and was in Uganda in 1971, leaving with his young family when Idi Amin came to power.
Mr. Grannis and his wife, Ulrike, lived in Chatham since 2005. He is the father of Gunnar, Kerstin and Aenne Grannis and foster father to Christian, Mathew and Hamish Wohlers, with 12 grandchildren in America, Dubai, and Germany.
He wrote and translated poetry, made photographic prints in his darkroom, grew roses and collected classical music LPs.
His wife of 48 years, Ulrike, a bookbinder and paper artist, lives in Chatham Village. Services will be at the Spencertown Academy, December 31 at 2 p.m.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Mary Simmons (1932 – 2014)
FREEPORT—Mary W. Simmons, 82, passed away at her residence, December 25, 2014.
She was the daughter of Joannes Woloshyn and Anastasia Elizabeth Magerowska.
Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband, Robert Simmons and her siblings, Anna Wallace, Olga Woloshyn and John Woloshyn.
She is survived by: her nephew, John J. Wallace (Janis); grandniece, Rachel Wallace (Steven Camras) and great-grandnephew, Adrian E. W. Camras.
Mrs. Simmons graduated from Columbia Memorial Nursing School in Hudson and worked many years at Meadowbrook Hospital in Long Island.
She loved traveling, gardening, animals and was known for her beautiful crocheting work.
There are no calling hours. Burial will be in the family plot in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Catherine Halstead (1928 – 2014)
KNOXVILLE, TN—Catherine “Coddy” Halstead died December 22, 2014 in Knoxville, TN.
She was born in Hudson, September 15, 1928.
She lived most of her life in Columbia County. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Milford “Cecil” Halstead; her parents, Harold and Martha Rappleyea, Sr.; brother, Hap Rappleyea; sisters, Margaret, Jackie (Nack), Jeanette Hapemen and granddaughter Laura Halstead.
She is survived by: her brother, Thomas; sons, David (Michele), Scott (Tara), and Paul (Laurie); grandchildren, Peter, Kyle, Kristen, Sean “Moose”, Tyler and Hailee Halstead; several nieces and nephews; special niece and goddaughter, Martha Pizza; special friend, John (Jake) Halloran and many other friends.
Mrs. Halstead worked tirelessly in the family business interests alongside her husband at Cecil’s Pizza Barn, for many years until his death.
Memorial donations may be made to LauraPlace Educational Resource Center, 304 Dunavant Drive, Rockford, TN 37853. LauraPlace was founded in memory of Mrs. Halstead’s granddaughter, Laura Elizabeth Halstead, by the Knights of Columbus in Knoxville and Oak Ridge, TN. LauraPlace is a physical place of learning and community in Kenya and supports the educational and community needs of the children of several villages. Donations are tax deductible.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday, January 2, 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson.
Arrangements are with the Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN.
