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OBITUARIES: Donovan, McLaren, Drew, Coons, Atkinson, Kilmer, Zempko, Soules, MacDonald, Mead, O’Neill, Curtis, Saviano

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Richard F. Donovan, Jr. (1947 – 2018)

HUDSON—Richard “Dick” F. Donovan, Jr. passed away peacefully December 19, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer with family by his side.

He was born in Hudson Falls, April 12, 1947. He was predeceased by his parents Richard and Etta Donovan.

He is survived by: a brother, Mike (Beverly) Donovan and a sister, Debby (Bruce) Vanguilder, both of Hudson Falls; his beloved Aunt Gene “Tiny” Reynolds; cousins, Carol Thackeray and Carl Reynolds.

He was the proud and loving father of Megan (Chris) Ryder, Maura Donovan, Molly (Joseph) Lazzara, Matthew Donovan, and Michaela Donovan. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Xavier, Hudson and Eva-Kate Ryder, Madelyn and Michael Ferrara, and Enzo and Luca Lazzara; several nieces and nephews.

He spent his career working in the insurance industry in both Hudson and Albany. Post retirement he dedicated his time working at the Hudson Department of Youth, a job he valued more than any other. He enjoyed bragging about his children and grandchildren, rooting for the NY Yankees and Giants, cooking, coaching youth sports, acting and directing in community theater, supporting various community events, and participating (arguing) in local politics.

Many people touched his life, especially those who attended the regular “boys night out” dinners at Wunderbar, and the close friends of his children whom he loved as his own.

In lieu of a wake and funeral, per his wishes, the family hosted a celebration of his life December 29, 2018 at the City of Hudson Fire Department, 77 North Seventh Street, Hudson. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.

Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

Douglas J. McLaren (1949 – 2018)

VALATIE—Douglas John McLaren, 69, of Valatie passed away Thursday, December 20.

Born January 9, 1949 in Hudson, he was the son of John and Evelyn (Tinker) McLaren.

He was a teacher at the St. Mary’s Academy in Hudson and Questar in Greenport and Troy prior to his retirement.

Mr. McLaren along with his wife, Michele were also proprietors of Bookland in Hudson. An avid reader, he loved history. He had master’s degrees in education and history. He loved boating and spending time at their house in Maine.

Mr. McLaren was the former Kinderhook Town Historian, and Philmont Rotary Club member.

Left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Michele (Lee) McLaren; son, Aaron Perry and his wife Antonette; daughter, Erica Balon; grandchildren, Spencer and Alex Perry and Timothy and Sarah Balon.

Visitation at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson was Thursday December 27, followed by a memorial service.

Anne C. Drew (1923 – 2018)

GHENT—Anne Drew, 95, of Greenport passed away Thursday, December 20 in Ghent.

Born January 7, 1923 in Hudson, she was the daughter of Dennis and Jane (Doyle) Cuddy.

Mrs. Drew was an elementary school teacher at the Martin H. Glynn School in Valatie prior to teaching at the Elmont School District on Long Island for 41 years. She was a communicant at Holy Trinity Parish St. Mary’s in Hudson, where she served as a lector, religious education teacher and Christian Service Committee member. She was also active with the Greenport Historical Society.

Mrs. Drew is survived by: her nephew, Dennis Cuddy; nieces, Jane Lynch and Mary McGlinn, along with several cousins and dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Drew in 2001; siblings, the Reverend Gerald Cuddy, S.J., Edmund Cuddy and Sister Adrian Francis Cuddy, CSJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, December 22 from Holy Trinity St. Mary’s Parish in Hudson. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.

Rosemary Coons (1937 – 2018)

CLAVERACK—Rosemary Coons, age 81, passed away December 24, 2018 in the comfort of her home in Claverack.

She was born December 29, 1937 to Roland and Elizabeth (Koeppe) Riegel.

She grew up taking care of her family, she loved taking care of her grandchildren through the years. Mrs. Coons enjoyed joy rides with her sister often throughout the years going to yard sales, and going out for lunch and dinner as often as she could.

Left to cherish her memory are: her children, Victoria Parsons (David) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and Copake Lake, Kenneth Coons (Lisa) of Philmont, and Edward Coons (Kym) of Mellenville; her grandchildren, Laura Pace (Parsons) whom loved her dearly and spent most of her childhood by her side, Lindsay Arp (Bill), Adriane Parsons, Kenneth Coons and Brett Coons; her great-grandchildren, Isaac Parsons, Isabelle Parsons, and her special great-grandchild, Jackson Arp, who went to visit his “gram on the hill.”

She had many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her brother William Riegel of Philmont.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald R. Coons and by her loving sister, Betty Lou Meltz, who she adored very much, and her brothers, Charles and David Riegel. Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.

Cynthia E. Atkinson (1935 – 2018)

LIVINGSTON—Cynthia Eaton Atkinson passed away surrounded by her loving daughters Christmas morning, December 25, 2018, 10 months after the passing of her husband and soulmate, George.

Born August 1, 1935 in Leominster, MA, she was 83 years old. Her parents were Carroll Robert Eaton and Marion Garland Eaton.

Mrs. Atkinson graduated from Newtown High School and attended the University of Connecticut. She dedicated her life to her husband and her family and had a love for gardening, sewing and crafts.

She married George Bliss Atkinson in 1959 and they began the next chapter of their lives together in 1961 when they moved to Livingston to start Locust Corner Dairy Farm. They had three daughters who grew to be Mrs. Atkinson’s best friends. She supported her husband in his farming and managed the Atkinson Livestock Transportation Service, where she could always be found in the passenger seat of the Critter Carrier.

Besides her parents, Mrs. Atkinson was predeceased by her husband, George Atkinson.

She is survived by: her brother, Dave (Sue) Eaton; her three daughters, Nancy (Michael) Glasgow, Betsy (Rick) Holden and Darcy (James) Connor; her grandchildren. who adored their “Grammie,” Gabriel Holden (Ciara), Katelyn (Jordan) Hughson, Kelsie (BJ) Mack, Jency (Eric) Wright, Caroline Connor and Jameson Connor; and her great-grandchildren, who were loved by their “GG,” Beau, Kenley, Charlotte, Elsie, Maddox and Michael.

For decades, Mrs. Atkinson was a faithful servant of the Linlithgo Reformed Church and a dutiful member of the Greenport Garden Club. She loved watching birds and knitting for her family and friends. Above all else, she loved being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and watching them grow.

A memorial service was held Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the Linlithgo Reformed Church in Livingston.

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

Norma E. Kilmer (1923 – 2018)

HUDSON—Norma Edna Kilmer passed away peacefully surrounded by family December 26, 2018.

Born in Hudson, January 13, 1923, she was the daughter of the late James and Edna Whitaker.

She was a graduate of Hudson High School. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was a homemaker, and also worked at the Universal Match Company and Jamesway. Mrs. Kilmer enjoyed spending winters in Florida, swimming, teaching line dancing, reading, crocheting, singing in the church choir, traveling, baking “scotch-a-roos” and collecting sea shells.

She was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Wallace J. Kilmer, Sr.; her brothers, Lauren and Kenneth Whitaker and brother-in-law, Robert C. Kilmer.

Mrs. Kilmer is survived by: her sons, Stanley (Patricia) Kilmer, Sr. of Hudson, Lawrence (the late Barbara) Kilmer of Catskill and Wallace (Sheila) Kilmer, Jr. of Florida; eight grandchildren, Susan Kilmer, Pamela Kulyniak, Stanley Kilmer Jr., Rachel Griffin, Heather Kilmer, Stephanie Wood, Rebecca Beasley and Miranda Velonis, along with nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 from 10 a.m. to noon followed by a funeral service at noon. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery.

Alvin J. Zempko (1939 -2018)

GREENPORT—Alvin Joseph Zempko passed away December 28, 2018.

Born March 11, 1939, he was the son of the late Anna (Drabick) Zempko and Raymond Zempko.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon, whom he lovingly called “Bubby.” He graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and served his country in the United States Coast Guard from 1962 until 1970. He was a past-member of the Sacred Heart Church Men’s Club, the Federation of Polish Sportsman, Greenport Pumper #1 and Ducks Unlimited.

Mr. Zempko was a hard worker and a genuine family man. His life revolved around his children, Darrin Zempko of Claverack, Marcy (Jay) Wolfe of Claverack and Scott Zempko of Hudson. He adored his grandchildren, Dylan Zempko, Hannah Wolfe, Ella Wolfe and Natalie Zempko.

He loved family gatherings and vacationing on Cape Cod every summer along with many camping trips. His hobbies included carving duck decoys and painting migratory birds. He was an avid hunter and spent time duck hunting and fishing with his children on his riverfront property. He was a true sportsman and was a monitor on the Greenport Land Conservancy for many years. He also raised and raced homing pigeons, coached the Harts Elks Little League team, and loved to do gardening and landscaping.

Mr. Zempko worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Hudson as a route driver and then transferred to Albany where he worked as a district manager for many years for Coke. He more recently worked at Williams Lumber in Greenport.

Also surviving is Mr. Zempko’s sister, Kathleen (Matt) Clark of Hudson; brother, Raymond (Carol) Zempko of Hudson and his brother-in-law, Thomas Kardash, who was his very devoted caregiver. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mr. Zempko was predeceased by his sister, Diane Zempko.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson, Thursday, January 3, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a service and interment in Cedar Park Cemetery.

Shirley M. Soules (1932 – 2018)

LIVINGSTON—Shirley M. Soules, 86, of Churchtown passed away Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Livingston Hills Nursing Home.

She was born August 2 in Bainbridge to the late Jennie and Albert Kirkland.

She is survived by: her son, David Houghton of Schenevus; daughter, Terry Houghton of Hudson; granddaughter, Brittany of Richfield Springs; grandson, Donald of Hillsdale; sister, Joyce of Rock Hill and a brother, Chuck of Endicott.

She was predeceased by her husband, Perry H. Soules, Jr. Per her wishes there will be no calling hours.

Gerald A. MacDonald (1933 – 2018)

CRARYVILLE—Gerald A. “Sudzy” MacDonald, 85, a lifelong resident of Craryville, passed peacefully Wednesday, December 26, 2018.

He was born September 12, 1933 in Hudson, the son of Gerald and Helen (Conklin) MacDonald.

Mr. MacDonald graduated from Roeliff Jansen High School in 1953 and proudly served with the United States Navy from 1956 to 1957.

He was the former owner and operator of the MacDonald House Tavern and Liquor Store in Craryville and also operated the Copake Laundromat.

Mr. MacDonald was a life-member of the Oxbow Club in Hillsdale and a volunteer firefighter for the Craryville Fire Company. To his friends he was a renowned sportsman who loved the outdoors and the camaraderie that came along with it. To his family he was a devoted husband and loving father who will be greatly missed.

He is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Joan (Barrington) MacDonald; a daughter and son-in-law, Kellie and Keith Mills of Mentor, OH, and a daughter and son-in-law, Jodie and James Martin and his granddaughter, Maeve Martin of Hatfield, PA.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Jana Susan MacDonald in 1972 and his sister, Geraldine MacDonald in 2018.

A Celebration of Life to honor Mr. MacDonald will be held in the spring of 2019 at a date to be announced.

Interment will be in the West Copake Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Copake Reformed Church.

Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake.

To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.

Herbert F. Mead, Sr. (1923 – 2018)

RHINEBECK—Herbert F. Mead, Sr., 95, a longtime Tivoli resident, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the Thompson House.

Born March 19, 1923 in Tivoli, he was the son of the late Foster E. and Edna (Friend) Mead.

Mr. Mead married Mary “Lillian” Murray, November 10, 1945 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Brooklyn. Mrs. Mead predeceased him April 25, 1992.

Mr. Mead served as a trained aviation mechanic in the United States Navy during World War II. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, he reenlisted in active duty reserves during the Korean War and was stationed at U.S. Naval Air Station in New York.

He began his career working for Brooklyn Union Gas. He then went on to work as mechanic and final flight inspector for Grumman Aircraft and Republic Aircraft—both in Long Island. In 1957, Mr. Mead moved his family from Lindenhurst to Tivoli. While living in Tivoli and prior to his retirement, Mr. Mead worked for many years as an installer for Suburban Propane in Millerton and in the HVAC department at Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie.

Active in his community, Mr. Mead was the former mayor and longtime trustee of the Village of Tivoli. He was past commander and a member of Harris Smith Post 524 American Legion in Tivoli; a member of Red Hook Post #7765 VFW; a member of Monumental Lodge #374, F&AM in Tivoli; a member of the Tivoli Fire Company; and volunteered with the Tivoli Drum Corp.

A skilled mechanic, Mr. Mead was also an avid woodworker. He enjoyed golf, camping, fishing trips to Canada, winter trips to Florida and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by: his children, Linda Neese of Tivoli, Edward (Susan) Mead of Clermont, Herbert (Iris) Mead, Jr., of Red Hook and Kathleen Krieger of Red Hook; a niece, Carol Mead of Maitland, FL; a nephew, Steven Mead of East Concord, NY; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; along with numerous extended family and friends.

In addition to his loving wife, he was predeceased by his son-in-law, Geoffrey Neese, and two brothers, Foster and William Mead.

The Mead family thanks the doctors and staff at The Thompson House—Livingston Unit for their care and compassion.

Funeral service and interment in St. Sylvia’s Cemetery in Tivoli will be private.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Mead’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Mid-Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie 12601-4027

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.

Thomas A. O’Neill (1955 – 2018)

GERMANTOWN—Thomas A. O’Neill of Germantown passed away peacefully Thursday, December 27, 2018 with his wife by his side.

Born July 6, 1955 in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Thomas George and Rita (Whalen) O’Neill.

As a young man, he became a proud member of the U.S. Navy and later the U.S. Coast Guard. His passion was being out on the water in his boat with his family and dogs.

He was a loving father and husband who enjoyed his own form of expression not understood by some but loved by many.

Mr. O’Neill is survived by: his wife, Mickey O’Neill; his sister, Mary Ellen Halligan; his children, Anthony (Amy) O’Neill, Mary O’Neill, Liam (Becky) O’Neill and Maggie (Tim) Plaza; his grandchildren, Jasmine, Rashad, Kegan, Sean, Ian and Ethan; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, Wednesday, January 2, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. Prayers will be offered at 7 p.m. followed by military honors.

To sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.

Lillian M. Curtis (1937 – 2018)

RED HOOK—Lillian M. Curtis, 81, a longtime Red Hook area resident, passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at her home.

Born May 31, 1937 in Tivoli, she was the daughter of the late Arthur R. and Mabel C. (Moore) Rose. She married Franklin D. Curtis April 21, 1957 in Red Hook. He predeceased her March 9, 2009.

In addition to raising her family, Mrs. Curtis also worked for many years as a nurse’s aide at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck.

She is survived by: her children, Jodi (Roger) Smith of Chatham, Melanie (John) Collins of Taghkanic and Franklin (Cindy) Curtis of Pleasant Valley; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; along with extended family and friends.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Donald and Ronald Curtis.

Funeral services will be private. Interment will be held at St. John’s Reformed Church Cemetery, Red Hook.

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.

Jonathan A. Saviano (1999 – 2018)

EAST NASSAU—Jonathan A. “Big Country” Saviano, 19, of East Nassau passed tragically in a fire at his home December 28, 2018 together with his pal, Buster, his dog.

Born in Albany, he was the son of Joseph Saviano, Jr., and Lee Ann Kreutziger.

He was employed by Darcy Construction in New Lebanon until his passing. He enjoyed his Ford trucks, was an avid outdoorsman and was an overall genuinely kind person. He always had a smile on his face and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a loving son and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Joseph E. Saviano and Arthur and Joan Kreutziger. In addition to his parents he is survived by: his grandmother, Patricia Saviano; brothers, Joseph III (Ashley) and Shaun Saviano; sisters, Katherine Saviano, Kellie Aponte and Ginnie Bingham; nieces and nephews, Dylan, Joseph IV, Luis, Jesus, Janessa, Brionna, Aviannah and Samuel; his aunts and uncles, Jay (Cherie) Kreutziger, Jeffery (Lisa) Kreutziger, Lisa Saviano and Donna (Glenn) Berry as well as numerous cousins who loved him dearly.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm Street in Nassau, Wednesday, January 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Saviano may be made payable to the New Lebanon Central School Scholarship Fund, 14665 Route 22, New Lebanon 12125.

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