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OBITUARIES: Brown, Rhyner, Bonacker

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Gregory T. Brown (1962 – 2015)

GREENPORT—Gregory Thomas Brown, 53, of Greenport passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at his residence.

Born April 21, 1962 in Hudson, he was the beloved son of Barbara L. (Merkle) Brown and the late Arthur Brown.

Mr. Brown graduated from Hudson High School in 1980. He excelled in sports and went on to play baseball for Coastal Carolina University. Mr. Brown loved to play baseball and was also an avid bowler. He had 23 perfect games to his credit.

Mr. Brown was employed as a truck driver for Greene County Public Works and had also worked for UPS.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by: his devoted children, Gregory Brown, Jr., Thomas Brown and Brittany Brown; his grandson, Logan Brown; his loving sisters, Theresa (Rudy) Mannari and Fran (Warren) Sheldon; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Friday, September 4, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Parish / Holy Family Church, 2824 Atlantic Avenue, Stottville. Burial will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.

Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences for the family.

H. Frank Rhyner (1923 – 2015)

BALLSTON SPA—H. Frank Rhyner of Ballston Spa bicycled off into the great unknown September 2, 2015 at home with his best friend, partner and wife of 40 years Deirdre Leland at his side and with the compassionate care of The Community Hospice of Washington and Saratoga counties.

Born August 17, 1923 on a farm in Marcellus, he was the son of Herbert and Frances (Gay) Rhyner.

Mr. Rhyner lived in Central New York and attended 13 different schools, five of which were one-room schoolhouses, before graduating from Marcellus High School in 1942.

He entered the U.S. Army in January 1943 and served until March 1946. Mr. Rhyner attended a variety of service training programs, which included x-ray technician’s school, aerial gunnery and two years as an aviation cadet. The cadet training included college prep at Penn State, preflight at Santa Ana, California and primary flying school at Thunderbird Field in Arizona.

At the end of World War II, Mr. Rhyner enrolled at Syracuse University where he earned an MS and certification as a school psychologist. His career as a school psychologist included three years in the schools of eastern Delaware County and 17 years in Liverpool Central Schools where he initiated and developed the school psychology program. He moved to the New York State Education Department in 1974 and retired in 1985. He was honored as the New York State School Psychologist of the Year in 1985.

Mr. Rhyner was an active and enthusiastic bicyclist and participated in both racing and touring. His bicycle interest started as a Western Union bicycle messenger in Cortland in 1939. He and his wife cycled throughout the United States, Europe and New Zealand. They took several bicycle tours across New York State, from Niagara Falls to Niverville along the route of the old Erie Canal. They were accompanied by friends and Mr. Rhyner’s daughters.

Mr. Rhyner was a member of the New York State Association of School Psychologists, the Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club and a life-member of the League of American Bicyclists. He was an omnivorous reader and served as a mentor to several children in the Ichabod Crane School District. He was a Democratic Committeeman in the Town of Kinderhook for many years. He also volunteered on several committees for the town government.

His wife, Deirdre, and four cherished daughters and their families will carry on his positive spirit and great stories. Survivors include: Joanne and Larry Dayton of Brandt Lake; Kathy Rhyner and Jim Mac Pherson of Santa Ana, California; Carol and Ira Drescher of Carmel and Francine and Bob Rosenberg of Canandaigua; six grandchildren, Brian Cardinell (Anna), Alison (Robert Tribley), Kathi-Jo and Kolby Rhyner, Sam and Daryn Drescher; five great grand-children, Hillary, Grant and Brady Cardinell, Gavin and Lauren Tribley.

Mr. Rhyner’s body was donated to the Albany Medical College. A private memorial celebration will be held at the family’s convenience.

The family requests no flowers and contributions may be made to the League of American Bicyclists, the Columbia Land Conservancy or the Community Hospice of Washington and Saratoga counties.

Mauren A. Bonacker (1943 – 2015)

ALBANY—Maureen A. Bonacker, 72, of Valatie died Thursday, September 3, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born April 3, 1943 in Beacon, she was the daughter of the late Donald T. and Margaret A. (Kavanaugh) McGraw.

Mrs. Bonacker graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1961 and Albany Business College in 1963. She was a homemaker, a member of the Tri-Village Hospital Auxiliary of Columbia Memorial Hospital, a substitute teacher’s aide at Ichabod Crane School and a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by: her husband, Louis G. Bonacker, III; her daughter, Carol M. Downey (Brian) of Valatie; son, Michael L. Bonacker (Tammy) of Livingston; four grandchildren, Alicia, Craig B. and Jenna E. Downey and Ryan Bonacker. She was predeceased by her brother, Gerald R. McGraw.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, September 9, 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 1025 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534 or AnimalKind, 721 Warren Street, Hudson 12534.

Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.

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