Linda J. Wagner (1952 – 2016)
LIVINGSTON—Linda Jean Wagner, 63, of Livingston passed away unexpectedly at her home Monday, October 17.
She was born December 7, 1952 in Hudson, daughter of the late Joseph Edward Wagner and Elizabeth (Holmes) Wagner.
She was a 1971 graduate of Red Hook Central School. She worked at Germantown Central School as a secretary for about seven years. She went back to school to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SUNY New Paltz in special education.
She was a special education teacher at Taconic DDOS in Wassaic for many years. She retired in December 2008. She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elizaville, where she served as a council member and Sunday school teacher for many years.
Her hobbies included reading, traveling and going to yard sales. She babysat for her great nieces and nephews during her retirement. A highlight of her life included attending all her nieces and nephew school concerts, dance rehearsals, sport games, family activities and many family vacations.
She loved her family very much and enjoyed spending time with them and friends. She was known as “Aunt Jean.”
Survivors include: her sister, Elaine (Leonard) Albright of Livingston; her brother, Robert Edward Wagner of Ancramdale; nieces, Nicole Albright of Conway, SC, and Cheryl (Jason) Albright of Livingston; great-nieces and nephew, Vada, Jason, Jr., and Addison and several cousins.
Funeral services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Manorton, 923 County Route 19, Elizaville 12523.
Marta Casals (1932 – 2016)
STUYVESANT FALLS—Marta Casals of Copake Falls, and more recently of Stuyvesant Falls, passed away October 8, 2016 after battling Alzheimer’s.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband, Gabriel; children, Leslie Anne (Andrew Flynn), Daniel Casals (Sarah Sturtevant), Roxana (Michael Laing) and five adoring grandchildren.
She was born January 13, 1932 in Havana, Cuba, and fled Castro’s regime with husband and son in 1960. She and her husband operated a boutique floral design business in Roslyn before moving to the Hudson Valley.
Mrs. Casals was a talented interior designer, and after moving upstate, also became a prolific artist in the Impressionist style—a passion she shared with her artist husband. She drew inspiration from the countryside as well as her extraordinary garden, which often left onlookers in awe.
She’ll be remembered for her beauty, artistic vision, inability to resist a Latin beat, love of animals and talent for transforming even the mundane into something extraordinary, “a word she embodied in every way.”
Arrangements are with the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham.
Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
Joseph J. Gunther (1926 – 2016)
DAVENPORT, FL—Joseph John Gunther, 90, passed away peacefully October 20, 2016 at his home in Davenport, FL, with his loving wife by his side.
Born June 10, 1926 in Yonkers, he was the fifth of seven children born to Martin and Anna Mary (Albert)Gunther.
In 1944 he entered the U.S. Army and served in World War II as an MP in the Philippines and Japan until his discharge in 1946. At that time he returned to school to complete his high school education. He also worked as a mechanic and received his pilot’s license.
In 1951, he met the love of his life, Marilyn (Meyer) Gunther and they married in 1953 and made their home in Germantown.
Mr. Gunther worked as a foreman for the Floweld Company in Germantown and was a self-employed electrician for many years. Prior to his retirement he was a welding instructor at Brookwood Center and was instrumental in setting up the welding program.
After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Gunther enjoyed traveling the country in their RV. They visited all 50 states and eventually settled in Davenport, FL. Besides his love of flying, he spent many hours boating on the Hudson River. He also played guitar, accordion and harmonica, enjoyed dancing with his wife and friends at the American Legion, and making his metal figures (tin men) out of metal cans.
He was a lifetime member and past assistant chief of the Germantown Fire Department, a member of the Hudson Elks Lodge, American Legion and life-member and past president of the Federation of Polish Sportsmen in Hudson.
Besides his parents, Mr. Gunther was predeceased by: three brothers, George, Phillip and Martin Gunther; two sisters, Mary Gunther and Eva Spellman; two sons, William Gunther and infant Michael Gunther and a daughter, Marilyn Sherlock.
Surviving are: his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Meyer Gunther; son, Thomas Gunther and wife Roberta of Germantown; brother, William Gunther and wife Carol of Port Charlotte, FL; six granddaughters, Michelle (Ronald) Moore of Germantown, Cheryl (Dominick) Cinatti of Germantown, Amanda (Jamie) Adickes of Germantown, Erica (Jon) Thomas of Boston, MA, Kelly Sherlock of Chatham and Valerie (Dillard) Slawson of VA; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Yadack Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated October 28, 10 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection, 11 Church Avenue, Germantown.
Interment will be in the Church of the Nativity Cemetery, Linlithgo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be expressed at yadackfox.com
Richard Putnam (1939 – 2016)
HUDSON—Richard “Dick” E. Putnam, 77, of Aitken Avenue, Hudson died Thursday, October 20, 2016 at his residence.
Born July 13, 1939 in Sycaway, he was the son of Eugene and Florence (Young) Putnam.
Mr. Putnam was a tree trimming foreman with Niagara Mohawk for more than 32 years, retiring in 1994. He is a 1958 Hudson High School graduate. Upon graduation, Mr. Putnam served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962. A dedicated member of the Hudson American Legion post 184, Mr. Putnam was post commander from 1994 to 1997.
He is survived by: his wife Elizabeth (Tiano) Putnam; two sons, Richard D. Putnam and William P. Putnam; grandchildren, Matthew, Ryan, William, Jr., and Zoe and step-grandchildren, Bobby and Jake.
Funeral services are private and at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in Mr. Putnam’s memory may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
David J. Kellenbenz (1974 – 2016)
GRAND FORKS, ND—David “Dave” J. Kellenbenz, 42, of Gilby, ND, passed away Monday, October 10, 2016 at Altru Hospital after a long courageous battle with melanoma.
He was born January 23, 1974, in Rhinebeck, the son of Kenneth and Lorraine (Caragine) Kellenbenz. He grew up in Germantown, where he graduated from Germantown Central School in 1992
Mr. Kellenbenz was a meteorologist with the National Weather Service for 20 years.
He is survived by: his wife, Karrie; son, Dawson; parents, Kenneth and Lorraine; brother, Kenneth (Tammi) Kellenbenz; sister, Kristen (Trevor) Speenburgh; nieces and nephews, Daniel, Andrew, Makenzie, Katie, Sophia and Trygve; several aunts, uncles, cousins and his grandmother, Fannie Caragine.
A celebration of his life was held October 14 at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be used for his son, Dawson’s education.
William G. Milligan, Jr. (1940 – 2016)
ALBANY—William George Milligan, Jr., 76, of Claverack died Sunday, October 23, 2016 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Born in Hudson, March 1, 1940, he was the son of the late William and Florence (Cutler) Milligan.
Mr. Milligan served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959. He later worked locally as a contractor’s lineman.
He is survived by: two sisters, Annie and (Vincent) Grimaldi of Utica and Florence and (Joseph) Pizza of Hudson.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one son, William Milligan.
There are no calling hours or funeral services scheduled at this time. Burial will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Joan R.A. Foley (1946 – 2016)
ANCRAM—Joan R.A. Foley, 70, of Ancram passed away October 23, 2016 following a battle with cancer.
She was born in Patterson, NJ, a daughter of the late Charles and Helen (Leonard) Dougherty.
She was the beloved wife of the late Robert D. Foley, Sr., whom she married March 30, 1963.
Mrs. Foley was the loving mother of Robin, Bobby, Rhonda and Rebecca; dearest sister of Chucky, Helen, Tommy, David and Richie; cherished grandmother of Bobbi Joe, Bobby, Ashley, Kirsten, Alisha, April, Zack, Brandon, Taylor, Samantha, Megan and great-grandmother of Kylie and Peyton.
She “was a great mom, grandma, great-grandma, overall a great family member and a very dear friend to all.” She loved her family and friends and was just a big-hearted special lady. She especially cherished the time and the love she shared with her great-grandkids and grandkids more than life itself.
She was a great cook. Everyone especially enjoyed her homemade coleslaw and homemade baked beans.
She also enjoyed cruises, visiting casinos and playing bingo with her family.
“Mom will always be remembered and respected for the love she had for her family and the many sacrifices she made each year for her kids.”
A memorial gathering will take place Saturday, October 29 between 1 and 5 p.m. at her brother’s house, the Dougherty residence, 83 Rothvoss Road, Ancramdale.
Flowers may be sent to the Dougherty residence by October 28 at the address provided. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Mrs. Foley’s memory to a local cancer society or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are with Simple Choices, Inc., 1088 Western Avenue, Albany.
