Rosalyn Conklin (1925 – 2017)
SHARON, CT—Rosalyn M. Conklin, 92, a lifelong resident of the Roe Jan area, passed away Monday, July 18, 2017 at Sharon Hospital.
She was born March 19, 1925 in Hudson, a daughter of Wallace and Myrtle (Bussett) Vosburgh.
A homemaker, Mrs. Conklin was a graduate of the former Roeliff Jansen High School.
She was a member of the Roe Jan Young at Hearters and attended the Craryville United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Conklin was predeceased by her husband, Paul S. Conklin in 1990 and by a sister, Evelyn Minkler in 1950.
Survivors include several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake, with the Reverend Bonnie Snyder officiating, Friday, July 21, 2017.
Interment followed in the West Copake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillsdale Fire Company, Hillsdale 12529 or to the Community Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 327, Copake 12516.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
George W. Doyle (1925 – 2017)
HUDSON—George Willard Doyle, a lifelong resident of Columbia County, passed away July 19, 2017.
He was born in Austerlitz, August 17, 1925 to George and Doris (Lamoree) Doyle. He was a graduate of Chatham Union High School.
Mr. Doyle was a dairy farmer for most of his life, but had many outside interests. He enjoyed attending Ghent Band Concerts and local church suppers with family and friends, as well as driving his restored Model T Ford.
He was a 74-year member of East Chatham Grange #1066, and a life-member of both the Red Rock and East Chatham volunteer fire companies. He was also a member of the Red Rock Historical Society, the Hudson Valley Old Time Power Association, the Dutch Shoes Square Dance Group, and Canaan Seniors.
Mr. Doyle is survived by: his sister, Alice Gawron of East Chatham; several nieces and nephews; great-nephews and great-niece; one great-great-niece and great-great-nephew, as well as many cousins and friends.
Calling hours will take place at 9 a.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, Saturday, July 22. A funeral Mass follows at St. James Church, Chatham at 11 a.m. Interment will be in St. James Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Doyle’s name may be made to the organization of one’s choice. To convey condolences visit frenchblasl.com.
Mark D. Leggett (1957 – 2017)
GHENT—Mark D. Leggett, 59, of Ghent passed away July 20, 2017 at his residence.
Born August 10, 1957 in Hudson, he was the son of the late H. Dwayne Leggett and Catherine (Gorman) Leggett of Ghent. He married the love of his life, Theresa (Butterworth) Leggett, August 17, 1980.
Mr. Leggett is survived by: his wife, Theresa M. (Butterworth) Leggett of Ghent; two sons, Scott Dwayne Leggett of Ghent and Robert Mark Leggett (Cristina) of Brewster; two sisters, Pamela Williams (Dee Ivery) of Cohoes and Susan Leggett (Sue Silvernale) of Chatham; three grandchildren, Alonna Lee, Cristopher Mark and Sofia Grace Leggett; a brother-in-law, Robert (Letitia Butterworth) of Cazenovia; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Donna Lee Brown.
Mr. Leggett came from a family legacy of public service. His grandfather served for many years as county clerk and his uncle, Richard Leggett was town supervisor of Ghent for many years.
Mr. Leggett had a more than 30-year-career in law enforcement. Throughout his career, and life, he epitomized the code of law enforcement: honor, loyalty, bravery and dedication, to his family, friends and the community. He began his career and advanced through the ranks of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. As an investigator, he worked on major crimes, helping countless victims of crime and their families. While sergeant, he successfully obtained accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office, bringing the Sheriff’s office up to a new level of professionalism and respect. As captain, he supervised the daily operations of Sheriff’s deputies and the Investigative Unit. He could be counted to take care of any situation, and his office door was always open for the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office. For several years, he was the director of the Zone 14 Law Enforcement Academy, educating and training men and women who are now serving across the state in law enforcement. After retiring from the Sheriffs Office, he worked as deputy chief of the Chatham Police Department. He was always working to learn more and increase his knowledge. While working full-time and raising two children with his wife, Theresa, he went back to school, to earn his Bachelor of Science degree. He would joke that he was the only person he knew who took 12 years to obtain a BS degree. In addition to his commitment to serving his community through his many years in law enforcement, he worked to make Chatham Schools a better place through his service on the Board of Education. Mr. Leggett enjoyed supporting his sons, Scott and Robert at their many sports events, watching them play baseball on the same field he played on as a kid.
He loved fishing and was an active member of the Kinderhook Sportsmens’ Club and a lifetime member of the Ghent Rod and Gun. More recently, he found joy spending time with his grandchildren and made it a priority to attend all of their events. His commitment to others continued long after the end of his shift. He was a devoted and loyal friend. Selfless and principled, his friends found that he was the steady presence. In good times and tough times, they could count on him to show up at the door, saying “Hey, what do you need”, “shining his light on us, blessing us with his humor and love. This will continue on in his afterlife.”
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 24, 11 a.m. at the West Ghent Reformed Church with Mr. Leggett’s aunt, Martha Leggett, officiating. Friends are invited to call Sunday, July 23 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Contributions may be made to the Ghent Reformed Church, West Ghent or the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Hudson.
Gordon E. Belt (1933 – 2017)
LENOX, MA—Gordon E. Belt, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Lenox, MA, July 19 after a short battle with cancer.
Born November 25, 1933, in Erie, PA, the only child of Ruth and Clyde Belt.
He was an outstanding swimmer, smart, hardworking and good with numbers. Never afraid of hard work, he spent his teenage years working on the transport barges of Lake Erie shoveling coal. He attended Indiana University on a swimming scholarship, and graduated in 1956 with a degree in accounting. Shortly after graduation, Mr. Belt joined the U.S. Army and spent three years working in the Finance Department stationed in Germany, where he embraced the culture and developed a life-long love of all things German.
Over the next decades Mr. Belt climbed the corporate ladder, holding financial positions at various prestigious firms such as Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co. in Chicago; W.R. Grace and Company in Iowa and Tennessee; and Ward Foods, Inc. (now Nestlé USA) in Chicago and New York. He capped his corporate years at Viacom International, where he served as vice president and chief financial officer as well as on the Board of Directors of Orion Pictures; and where, in 1987, he played a key role in the management-led buyout bid for the company, which was ultimately acquired by Sumner Redstone. A certified public accountant, he subsequently set up shop in Copake and later, Lenox, MA, and was actively working up until his latest cancer diagnosis.
Mr. Belt was also a member of the Financial Executives Institute, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the New York Society of Certified Public Accountants. While living in the Copake area he also served on the local school board, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, and the Copake Economic Development Group.
Although he enjoyed a successful working career, he first and foremost valued his family, with whom he found the greatest joy. He married Nicki (Lamendola) Chwalek in June 1997.
He is survived by his wife Nicki; his children, Linda and Andre Burnier of Montpelier VT; Leslie and Nicholas Parsenios of Lenox, MA; Brian and Brian’s life partner Wendy Gray of
Hudson; step-daughter, Amanda Chwalek of Lenox, MA; and grandchildren, Skylar Belt, Luc Burnier and Chloe Parsenios.
Calling hours will be held at Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake, Sunday, July 23 from 2 to 5 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Elenor Sonsini Animal Shelter of Pittsfield, MA, or the American Cancer Society. The family thanks Hospice Care of the Berkshires and Mountain View Homecare for their support during his last days.
Jeffrey S. Oles (1969 -2017)
SCHULENBURG, TX—Jeffrey Scott Oles, 47, died Thursday, June 8, 2017 in Schulenburg, Texas.
Born in West Covina, California, October 31, 1969, he was the son of his father, the late Russell William Oles, Sr. and his mother, Barbara Ann Preston Oles, who survives.
He was an avid archer, golfer and billiard player.
He was the beloved brother to his six siblings: Russell William Oles, Jr., Wayne Douglas Oles, Linda Susan Oles Ball, Thomas Lawrence Oles, David Jon Oles and Susan Marie Oles Elliott.
Though he was quiet, he touched the lives and hearts of many people. While his life was cut far too short, his impact on those that he touched will remain forever.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, July 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Vanderbilt House, 161 Main Street, Philmont.
Esther Tyler (1939 – 2017)
RHINEBECK—Esther Tyler, 78, of Rhinebeck died July 17, 2017 at Northern Dutchess Hospital.
She is survived by: her son, Kenneth Tyler of Gallatin; a daughter, Valerie Jamison of Stotville; son, Mathew Funk of Hudson; a loving daughter, Kathleen Lord of Elizaville; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Irving Funk, and daughter, Billie Joe Clark.
Calling hours and funeral services were Thursday, July 20 at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
Burial was Friday, July 21 at the Livingston Rural Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at yadackfox.com
