David A. Feller (1967 – 2017)
OGDENSBURG—David A. Feller, a/k/a Beetlejuice, born December 21, 1967, passed away suddenly in Ogdensburg, September 23, 2017.
He was a handyman and jack of all trades.
He is survived by: his mother, Goldie Johnson of Hudson; siblings, Albert Feller of Germantown, Brenda Feller of Catskill, Crystal Feller of Chatham, William Simmons of Schodack, Joseph Layton of Germantown and Jolene Ramirez of Virginia; many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Albert Feller, Sr.
A memorial will be held October 7, 2017 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the funeral home would be appreciated to help with the cost.
George J. Quarta, Jr. (1931 – 2017)
BULLHEAD CITY, AZ—George J. Quarta, Jr., “G ¼,” died at his home in Bullhead City, Arizona, September 6, 2017.
He was born December 21, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA, and later moved to Hudson, where his family resided for decades.
Mr. Quarta was a cowboy at heart. As a youngster he dressed in western garb, idolized “Wild” Bill Elliott, who played in the B-rated western movies that he watched over and over at the local theater, and read the books of saddle bronc rider Will James. While still in high school, Mr. Quarta, affectionately called “Tex” started his rodeo career—realizing his dream of being a cowboy.
After graduation in 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Korea at the height of the Korean War. Upon his return home he went to farrier school to learn the horseshoeing trade which supported his rodeo circuit travel. He was a successful saddle bronc rider earning much recognition over the years. A photograph of Mr. Quarta with his “G 1/4” logo-emblazoned chaps riding a broncing horse is on permanent display in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. His cowboy boots, chaps and saddle are there as well.
Mr. Quarta’s musical talent earned him recognition as well. In 1960 he recorded two songs, “Get Loose” and “Don’t Move.” He performed in the Hudson area including at the old Community Theater where billboards of him lined the walls as fans excitedly gathered to hear him sing and play his guitar.
In 1961 Mr. Quarta and good friend, Casey Tibbs, moved to California. He met Glen Randall working as a helper for eight years on his ranch as he continued on the rodeo circuit and worked as a farrier for famous horses like “Mr. Ed” and “Trigger Jr.” In 1962, while at the Randall Ranch he met longtime friend, Jim Sherwood.
Mr. Quarta worked on the set of many motion pictures over the years as a wrangler. During his motion picture days he had the pleasure to meet the original black stallion “Fury” with Bobby Diamond “Joey” aboard, Dale Evans’ buckskin Buttermilk, Roy Rogers, John Wayne’s trademark sorrel, Sunset Carson, Ken Maynard, TV’s Black Beauty, Rex Allen’s “Koko” the wonder horse, Allan “Rocky” Lane, Charles Starrett, Richard Farnsworth, James Stewart, Ben Johnson, Jock Mahoney, Micheal Landon, Monte Hale and Sam Elliott. Later, as a representative of the American Humane Association, Mr. Quarta was responsible for overseeing the treatment of animals on movie sets. He was also featured on an episode of the game show “To Tell the Truth.”
Mr. Quarta lived his dream of being a real life cowboy and shared this love with all those he met.
He was predeceased by his father, George J. Quarta, Sr.; mother, Laura Quarta (Piazza); brother, Frank; uncle, Frank Piazza; aunt, Mary and uncle, John Libruk.
He is survived by: his daughter, Laurie Robertson (Tim); cousins, Patricia Drahushuk (John), John Libruk (Regina) and Mark Libruk (Renae); nieces and nephews; longtime friend, Marilyn Roth and a “corral” of friends.
Graveside service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at http://www.trfinc.org/ or to a horse rescue of one’s choice in his memory, have notification mailed to: In Memory of George Quarta, P.O. Box 91, Philmont 12565.
April M. Champlin (1988 – 2017)
HUDSON—April M. Champlin, 29, of Philmont passed away suddenly Thursday, September 28, 2017 at the Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born August 3, 1988 in Rhinebeck, she was the daughter of William H. (Joyce) Champlin, Jr., of Tivoli and Priscilla Striffler Champlin of Schenectady.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Champlin is survived by: her two children, Connor and Kylee; her siblings, John Striffler of Schenectady, Crystal (Michael) Vrana of Schenectady and Joy Champlin of Schenectady; her paternal grandmother, Joan Champlin of Rhinebeck; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by: her brother, William Champlin, III; her maternal grandparents, Lois and George Striffler; and paternal grandfather, William Champlin, Sr.
A local celebration of Ms. Champlin’s life will take place Friday, October 6, 2017 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Red Hook-Rhinebeck Elks Lodge, Route 9, Red Hook.
Visitation will be held at Robertaccio Funeral Home, 85 Medford Avenue, Patchogue, Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be Monday, October 9, 11 a.m. at Washington Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Sinai.
Memorial donations may be made to her gofundme page, gf.me/u/c7tgcd.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook.
To sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.
Joan Haynor (1934 – 2017)
CHATHAM—It is with heavy hearts that her family bids farewell to Joan Haynor, beloved mother and “Sittoo,” after walking this Earth for 83 years. She died September 21, 2017.
She will be remembered for many reasons. She could make a heck of a pecan pie, coffee cake and the only edible tapioca pudding around. She wasn’t just the mother and grandmother who spoiled her family with delicious treats, that always smelled of lavender, and who’d throw a five dollar bill in a birthday card each year.
She was very much all those things, and so much more.
Her grandchildren were her great joys. It gave her immense cheer to pass along her wisdom, old world knowledge, and her love to any of them if they would only “shut up and listen.” Whether it was teaching Bek, her unique way of knitting and how to make her “Sittoo’s” coffee perfect; or whether it was giving Michaela a long, warm hug, reminding her to trust her faith, and to never be afraid of the demons in the dark; or gifting Taylor with a sense of self as she was regaled with her “Sittoo’s” stories of their rich Syrian ancestry.
If one listened carefully she could be heard uttering, in endless love, the phrase “you ass” to sarcastically playful
grandson Greg, with whom she enjoyed the occasional rum and coke and to whom she confessed it was her favorite.
The grandkids were all jealous, though, of Kam; the apple of “Sittoos” eye, her faithful little bingo and Uno partner, and the only one she affectionately called “My Noonie.”
Her family will never forget the decades long crushes she harbored for Sean Connery and Tom Selleck, the latter of which could still draw from her, even in her 80s, an “Mmm, that man” while she cleaned her dentures and watched Blue Bloods. “Joanie Balonie” also loved to watch herself some sports, especially tennis and, even more specifically: “That Roger Federer, just look at that hair.” She also carries the distinction of wearing the same exact close cut and gray hairstyle since roughly 1977, despite never actually being seen at a hair salon.
She enjoyed her jigsaw puzzles, word finds, crosswords and The Wheel, all of which she loved immensely even when her failing eyes, hearing and occasionally whispered expletives showed otherwise.
Mrs. Haynor was and will be remembered as the strong-willed and devoted mother of six, Jeff, Robyn, George, Laura, Dow, and Pamela, from whom her large collection of grandchildren and great-grandchildren came. All who knew or met her will remember her for her full, throaty laugh, her broad, beaming smile, and for her big, open heart from which the love she gave everyone she knew—friend, family and stranger alike—poured forth.
Most importantly, she is at long last reunited with husband, George (d.1982), the greatest love of her long, fullfilled life. She never remarried, and never looked at another man again.
A celebration of Mrs. Haynor’s life will take place October 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 63 Ford Road in Old Chatham. All who knew her are welcomed.
Arrangements are with the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham. To send online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
Rita Cave (1913 – 2017)
PHILMONT—Rita Cave, 104, of Copake passed away peacefully Thursday, August 24, 2017 at the Pine Haven Nursing Home.
She was born May 7, 1913, the daughter of Thomas J. and Margaret M. (O’Gorman) Cave.
Ms. Cave was a dedicated elementary school teacher for many years in the Mt. Vernon public school system.
Along with her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Robert J. Cave and a sister, Virginia Cave.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 11 a.m. from the Parish of Our Lady of Hope, 8074 State Route 22, Copake Falls. The Reverend George Brennan will officiate.
Private interment was held at new St. Bridget’s Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.