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OBITUARIES: Nitsky, Levinson, Van Deusen, Stark, Makas, Bartolotta

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Edward W. Nitsky (1936 – 2017)

HUDSON—Edward W. Nitsky, 81, of Greenport died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. Born at home on Union Street in Hudson, he was the son of Michael and Julia (Herishko) Nitsky.

Mr. Nitsky loved to cook, and that was proven by his career as a chef that spanned 60 years. He started in diners and his experience brought him to local restaurants such as Kozel’s, Lawrence’s Tavern and Nitsky’s Friendly Tavern, which he eventually bought from his parents. He was also for many years private chef at Iron Mountain. Upon leaving the restaurant business, Mr. Nitsky was a purchaser at the Adventist Home in Livingston. He also enjoyed gardening, traveling and an occasional casino trip.

Those left to cherish his memory include: his beloved wife, Wanda (Ferrari) Nitsky of Greenport; daughter, Cathy (James) Wilding of Binghamton; son, Ed (SueAnn) Nitsky of Hudson; stepdaughter, Linda (John) Redding of Catskill; stepson, Michael (Nancy) Ferrari of Kinderhook; brother, Michael (Sheila) Nitsky of Mexico, NY; sister, Carol Maddison of Greenport; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and six step-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Nitsky was predeceased by his first wife, Pauline (Sweet) Nitsky.

He loved them all unconditionally, but the “apple of his eye” was Alexandra from South Carolina, and his three Ferrari boys Michael, Nicholas and Caesar, who never forgot a holiday, birthday or special occasion, and went anywhere or did anything grandpa wanted to do.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, April 1 from St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.

Sheila B. Levinson (1928 – 2017)

BOYNTON BEACH, FL—Sheila B. Levinson, formerly of Hudson, passed away March 31, 2017. She leaves behind her loving husband of 67 years, Sidney Levinson. She was born in Bradford, PA, January 13, 1928.

She was a graduate of New York State Teacher’s College in Albany. She was co-owner with her husband, of Young Town Children’s Center in Hudson, for more than 32 years. There she was the star buyer and expert window trimmer. Mrs. Levinson was president of the Greenport School PTA and a Girl Scout leader for many years. She was a member of Congregation Anshe Emeth and a member of the Sisterhood at the synagogue.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by: her daughters, Arlene Levinson of Claverack and Roberta Levinson (Kim Lewis) of Twin Lakes, WI, and her four grandchildren, Rachel Sullivan, Amanda Lewis, Andrew Lewis and Alexa Lewis.

Her son-in-law, E. Patrick Sullivan predeceased her along with her sister, Dr. Penny W. Budoff, and her mother, Goldene Wise.

Funeral services are Wednesday, April 5, 11 a.m. from the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.

J. Warren Van Deusen (1918 – 2017)

HUDSON—Joseph Warren Van Deusen, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, veteran, businessman, volunteer and good friend, died Friday, March 31 at the age of 98 in the company of his family, the end of a life very well lived.

He was born in Hudson December 26, 1918, one of four sons of the late Charles H. Van Deusen, Sr., and Magdalena (Spath) Van Deusen.

He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Alice (Hennessy) in 2011. He also was predeceased by his two older brothers, Charles and Neil. His youngest brother, Arnold and his wife Ann, continue to sustain the Van Deusen legacy, along with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Van Deusen was a lifetime resident of Claverack and Hudson. In 1937, he graduated from Hudson High where it became clear that he was destined to be a leader after serving three years as class president. He served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 with the responsibility of training B-25 fighter pilots. He returned to Hudson with many hair-raising training stories and memories of buzzing the family farm in Claverack.

In 1945 he joined the Hudson City Savings Institution and retired in 1982 as president and CEO. He also served as a director of Savings Banks Trust Co. and Institutional Investors Mutual Fund.

Mr. Van Deusen had a keen interest in economic development. His many activities included serving on the Board of the Columbia County Industrial Management Club, Industries for Columbia County, the Empire State Certified Development Corporation and the Greater Hudson Chamber of Commerce.

He was long-active in a wide variety of community affairs and service activities. In the area of education, he served as president of the Greenport School District and the Hudson City School Board of Education and on the board of BOCES. He also was treasurer of the Hudson YMCA, co-chair of many Community Chest and Red Cross drives, a Hudson Jaycee Distinguished Service Award recipient, treasurer of the Potts Memorial Foundation and director of AAA Hudson Valley.

Mr. Van Deusen was particularly proud of his association with the Greenport Historical Society (first president), the Hudson Rotary Club where he was past president and had 51 years of perfect attendance, and his membership at the First Reformed Church of Hudson for more than 65 years, including service as deacon, elder and treasurer. Mr. Van Deusen enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of Columbia Golf and Country Club.

His memory lives on with: his son, Dirck and wife Betsy of East Greenbush; daughter, Kathleen Mathews and husband Shaun of Simsbury, CT; daughter, Christine of West Hartford, CT; and four grandchildren, Kevin and Alison Mathews and Bryan and Abigail Van Deusen.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to all of the caregivers who helped Mr. Van Deusen fulfill his wish of remaining at home.

The funeral will be Friday, April 7, 11 a.m. at the First Reformed Church in Hudson. Calling hours will be at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home Thursday, April 6 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church, 52 Green Street, Hudson 12534

Frederick J. Stark, Jr.

HUDSON—Frederick J. Stark, Jr., of Claverack died Sunday, April 2 at Columbia Memorial Hospital. A lifelong resident of Claverack, he was the son of Frederick J. and Beulah (Traver) Stark.

Mr. Stark attended Iowa State University of Science and Technology and Syracuse University. He worked as a structural engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation, especially supervising the design and reconstruction of new bridges in Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties for many years, retiring in 1996. After retirement, he continued to do professional engineering work under Frederick J. Stark Engineering Services. Mr. Stark was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served three years in the Pacific Area. He was a life member of the Ghent VFW Post 5933 serving as the official bugler of the post and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee of Columbia County. Mr. Stark was noted for playing trumpet and flugelhorn in small groups and big bands throughout New York and New England, he also joined the Ghent and Coxsackie Bands and several other marching bands in the early 1960s and continued to participate until his death.

Survivors include: his wife, Joan; sons, Frederick of Taghkanic, Phillip of Livingston, William of Copake; daughters, Jean Stoddard of Hudson and Cathy Riegel of Taghkanic; sister, Betty Caulfield of Colonie; three grandchildren, Marc Riegel, Marie Stark and Erick Stark, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services provided by Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson are private and at the convenience of the family.

Michele “Shelley” Makas (1974 – 2017)

HUDSON—It is with great sadness, her family announces the passing of Michele “Shelley” Makas, April 2, 2017 after a long battle with kidney disease.

Born July 7, 1974 in Hudson, she was the beloved daughter of Stanley Glenn Makas and Bette Jean (Lasher) Makas, both deceased.

Ms. Makas graduated from Hudson High School and went on to obtain an associates degree from Mildred Elley. She enjoyed playing pool, cooking her favorite recipes and sharing her great sense of humor with those around her.

Ms. Makas is survived by: her brother whom she adored, Steven Makas and his wife Mary Ann; sister, Renee Makas and her longtime partner Christine Bandos; her niece, Erin Makas; her beloved fiancé, Donald “Donnie” Birk and his extended family who were a big part of her life. She will also be missed by her aunts, Patricia Lasher Johnson and companion Mark Dauemheimer, Linda Fenoff (Raymond) and several cousins.

Her illness did not define her, her strength and courage did. Ms. Makas positively touched so many lives. She leaves behind a tremendous legacy, and a lot of people will remember her and what she taught them for the rest of their lives. The family thanks the Columbia Greene Dialysis Unit for all their compassion and care, Albany Medical Center especially the SICU in the B Building, and Dr. Socans for her efforts and compassion.

Visitation hours at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson will be held Thursday, April 6 from 4 to 6 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Burial will be private. Following services, the family will receive friends at the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 99 Troy Road Suite 200, East Greenbush 12061 or to Donna M. Crandall Foundation, 50 Traditional Lane, Loudonville 12211.

Alfred E. Bartolotta (1931 – 2017)

HUDSON—Alfred E. Bartolotta, 86, of Germantown died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Columbia Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.

Born February 14, 1931 in Hudson, he was the son of Antonio and Jessie (Cooper) Bartolotta.

Mr. Bartolotta, along with his brothers, was co-owner of Klein’s Kill Fruit Farm in Germantown, still thriving today under the expertise of the fourth generation of Bartolotta fruit farmers. He was a member of the American Legion, and Hudson Elk’s Lodge #787. Mr. Bartolotta loved to hunt and sit at a round table surrounded by his friends with a deck of cards in hand. He is the last one of his “Rat Pack” buddies, they are all reunited again in Heaven.

Mr. Bartolotta served his country in the U.S. Army, 508th Paratroopers during World War II. In his younger days, including his time in service, he was an exceptional boxer.

To cherish his memory, are: his wife, Cynthia (Newberry) Bartolotta; son, Adam Bartolotta; grandchildren, Alfred Tyler and Sarah Kathryn Bartolotta; daughter-in-law, Joanne Bartolotta; his brothers, Bobby and Phil Bartolotta; sisters, Marie Conte and June Decker; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bartolotta was predeceased by his son, Alfred L. Bartolotta; brothers, Russell, Benjamin and Anthony Bartolotta; sisters, Antoinette Egan, Jessie Conte, Louretta Barton, Beulah Delaney and Patricia Bartolotta.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 6, 10 a.m. from Resurrection Church in Germantown. Interment will be in Nativity Church Cemetery in Linlithgo. Visitation hours at the Bates & Anderson Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street in Hudson are Wednesday, April 5 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Bartolotta’s name may be made to the Alfred Lewis Bartolotta Scholarship Fund, c/o Hudson High School, Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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