Anna M. Becker (1919 – 2016)

VALATIE—Anna Margaret Becker, 97, died at home Sunday, July 3, 2016.

She was born January 11, 1919, first daughter of George Woodin Becker and Anna (Novak) Becker in Philadelphia, PA.

She graduated from Martin H. Glynn High School, Valatie in 1937, Plattsburgh Normal School in 1940, earned a bachelor’s degree from New York State College for Teachers, Albany in 1946 and a master’s degree from Columbia Teachers College, New York City in 1953.

Her teaching career spanned settings from a one-room-school in Rensselaer County, to Spanish Harlem in New York City, to U.S. Government dependents’ schools overseas in Sonthofen, Germany (Army), Madrid, Spain (Air Force) and Naples, Italy (Navy).

Ms. Becker enjoyed one year as an office worker at Montgomery Ward with, as she said “a whole hour for lunch!” She retired in 1984 from the New York City Public School system and returned from Manhattan to her hometown of Valatie, where she learned to drive at the age of 74 so that she could get around on her own.

She was predeceased by her parents; older brothers, George Nathan Becker and William Charles (Ruth Austin) Becker; younger sisters, Kathryn (Truscott) Kelly, M. Jane (Warren) Wills, Joan Becker (Robert) Flais; niece, Carolyn Ruth Becker and nephew, T. Michael Kelly.

In later years, she occasionally referred to herself as “the last leaf on the tree” since all her siblings had passed on ahead of her.

Although she had no children, she mothered many and is survived by 31 beloved nieces and nephews, 78 great-nieces and nephews, 35 great-great-nieces and nephews, one great-great-great-nephew and several cousins.

She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, Valatie, where she was a familiar figure at daily Mass and a faithful servant of the Lord. She enjoyed teaching, reading, music, traveling, walking and eating at the Main Street Café.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, July 7, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Church, Valatie.

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

Joseph M. Gentile (1923 – 2016)

HUDSON—Joseph M. Gentile, 93, formerly of Ghent, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving niece, Sissy, and her family.

He was a resident of the Firemen’s Home in Hudson.

Born June 17, 1923 in Hudson, he was the son of Anielo and Giovinnia Gentile.

Mr. Gentile served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Guadacanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands, and earned the American Defense Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He worked for Metro-North in Croton, as a trackman.

Mr. Gentile is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Katherine and his siblings, Robert, Francis and Dominick Gentile, Rose Gentile and Mary Finn.

Services were held Friday, July 8, 2016 in the Firemen’s Home Chapel, 125 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson. Burial was in Cedar Park Cemetery.

Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.

Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

Irma Ruth Haag (1932 – 2016)

PHILMONT—Irma Ruth Haag of Philmont went to her eternal rest July 2, 2016 at her home in Philmont surrounded by her family.

She was born in Holyoke, MA, November 6, 1932, daughter of the late Elbridge and Mildred Alexandria Dixon.

She moved to Rhode Island when she was three-years-old and later moved to Philmont when she was nine. She attended Philmont High School and in 1948, the girl next door, met her late husband, Joseph Haag. They were married in 1951.

She was a life-member of the Philmont Sacred Heart Catholic Church. During her life, Mrs. Haag was employed by Pine Haven Nursing Home as a nurse’s aide and then worked at BOCES in Philmont and in Hudson, retiring in 1979.

She was a caring wife and mother who loved all her children: MaryJean Wildermuth, Joseph Haag, Dianne Loomis, Edward Haag, Teresa Ouellette, Robert Haag, James Haag; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed bike riding, hiking and swimming and loved the ocean where she enjoyed fishing with her dad as child, and her hobby of collecting lighthouse statues.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, July 8 at St. James Church in Chatham. Interment followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Philmont.

Arrangements were with the French, Gifford, Preiter and

Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

Delores Almstead (1927 – 2016)

VALATIE—Delores Almstead from Philmont passed away at Barnwell Nursing Home, June 16, 2016.

She was born December 12, 1927 to Clarence and Harriet Craver of Philmont.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Stewart (Junie) Almstead; her son, Stewart (Butch) Almstead; and her sister, Gloria (William) Robertson, all of Philmont. Also predeceased by her brother-in-law, Kenneth Almstead.

She is survived by in-laws, David and Shirley (Almstead) Perry; four nieces, Donna Robertson of Philmont, Shirlanne (Kenny) Bazemore and Marcia (Curt) Brandow of Virginia Beach, VA; and Rebecca (Chip) Martin of Stottville; one nephew, Aaron (Christine) Perry of Mellenville; great-nieces and nephews Allison Robertson, William Robertson, Ryan (Jessica) Brandow, Tyler Perry, Ian Perry, Kylie Weaver, Carolyn Weaver, Carson Weaver; many descendent nieces/nephews, and dear friend, Joan Bianchi .

Mrs. Almstead worked and lived in Philmont her whole life. In her early days she worked in the mills. Many Philmont residents remember her from her later years working in Doctor White’s office. She enjoyed cooking and baking. She was a member of the Philmont Methodist Church.

The Almstead family had several proud members in the U.S. Navy including her husband, son, and brother-in-law, Kenneth Almstead.

Burial will be in August at the Mellenville Union Cemetery. Arrangements are with the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

John L. Andrews (1955 – 2016)

EAST GREENBUSH—John L. Andrews, 61, of East Greenbush, formerly of Stottville, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016 at home.

He was born in Hudson to the late Frederick “Chip” and Patricia Andrews.

Mr. Andrews was a resident of Living Resources in East Greenbush for the past 20 years.

He is survived by: four brothers, Paul (Susan) Andrews of Saratoga, Scott (Gina) Andrews of South Bethlehem, James Andrews of Livingston and Kevin Andrews of Colonie; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private at the request of the family. The family thanks the staff of Living Resources, Hayes Road, for the love and support shown to them.

Memorial contributions may be made to Living Resources, 300 Washington Avenue Extention, Albany 12203.

Arrangements are with the William J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, Inc., 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer.