Maureen M. Hess (1951 – 2019)
HUDSON—Maureen M. Hess passed away January 6, 2019 at her residence.
She was born March 29, 1951 in Hudson. She graduated from Ockawamick High School and also graduated from SUNY Cobleskill.
Ms. Hess worked for more than 40 years for Claverack Cooperative Insurance Company. She served as a company officer and director. She was also a director for Mid Hudson Cooperative Insurance Company for many years in Orange County.
Ms. Hess was very active in the local farming community. She was well-known for her sheep and wool products across the state. She enjoyed spending time with her friends of many years discussing sheep, rug hooking and making cheese and yogurt. She also loved training corgis.
She was predeceased by her parents, John and Agnes Hess; her brother, Michael and sister, Sharon.
She will be missed by her beloved corgis, Tink, Rammy, Star and most recently, Billy. The corgis have all been adopted by her friends and will continue to be spoiled and loved.
Ms. Hess is survived by many cousins and friends who will deeply miss her.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson. Interment followed in Cedar Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society or to NYOH Community Cancer Foundation, 449 Route 146, Clifton Park 12065.
Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Richard L. Newton, Jr. (1966 – 2019)
EAST CHATHAM—Richard, “Rick,” “Ricky,” “RL,” Lincoln Newton, Jr., passed away Sunday, January 6 at his residence with his family at his side.
He was born October 15, 1966, the son of Richard L. Newton and Nancy (Clarke) Lewis. He grew up in Newburyport, MA, until the age of 13 years. He then moved to Malden Bridge with his mother and sisters, Sarah and Amanda and spent the rest of his life in various residences in the New Lebanon, Malden Bridge, Canaan and East Chatham areas in Columbia County.
He graduated from New Lebanon High School and attended Hudson Valley Community College for a short time. He then began his career in construction and got his first job with Jay Moore; and later with Bernie Meyer. Eventually Mr. Newton teamed up with lifelong friend, Al Gilligan to form Alrich Construction. This endeavor lasted a few years and then Mr. Newton began working with another close friend, Chris Calyer, for Calyer Construction. He then spent his time working with both his friends. He was often referred to as “MacGyver” because he understood how things worked and could rig or fix anything.
Mr. Newton met his wife, Irene at a best friend’s wedding in 1989. They reunited four years later and were married in the North Chatham Methodist Church, July 20, 1996. They stayed in the Columbia County region renting a few places before ultimately buying land in East Chatham. The land had a stream across it and true-to-form, Mr. Newton built the bridge and then their home in East Chatham, where he lived until he died.
Besides work and family he was an active member for 10 years in the East Chatham Fire Company, where he held many titles including, first lieutenant. In 2016, Mr. Newton and firefighter friend, Dave Shea decided to open a restaurant together. ECFC Station 2 was a product of their hard work. Today ECFC is a successful restaurant located near the Newton home.
Another of his other passions were his camp on Great Sacandaga Lake. He was known as “the mayor” up at camp and he often helped his neighbors. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, playing cards and just hanging out with his Sacandaga friends.
Mr. Newton was also an avid outdoorsman, a hunter of white-tailed deer and was the first person to kill a black bear legally in Columbia County. He did so with a bow and arrow. He had many hunting buddies, Lee, Dan, Al, Eric, Tony, Kevin, Andy and Bulent to name a few.
In addition to his wife of 22 years, Irene, Mr. Newton leaves behind his three beloved children, Madison, Sydney and Graham; his mother, Nancy; Irene’s parents, Irene and Vincent Calyer and Nick and Jodi Baumkirchner; his sisters, Sarah (Mark) Scolforo and Amanda (Wayne) Delmonte and their families; sister-in-law, Meredith (Lou) Fagan and their family as well as many other aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, January 10, 4 to 7 p.m. and a funeral service will be Friday, January 11, 10 a.m from the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham.
Memorials may be made to the East Chatham Fire Company, 14 Frisbee Street, East Chatham 12060. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
Maudie Gaschel (1916 – 2019)
SARASOTA, FL—Maudie Gaschel, 102, formerly of Columbia County, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019 in Sarasota, FL.
Born December 3, 1916, she was the daughter of Captain Thomas Charles and Mary Josephine (Kennedy) Butler of St. George’s Newfoundland, Canada.
She was a graduate of St. Michael’s College Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland. She was also a student of music and was an accomplished piano player.
Mrs. Gaschel is survived by: her son, Ronnie Gaschel (Barbara Hawver) of Newark, OH; daughter, Maureen C. Yusko (Michael Yusko, Jr.) of Sarasota, FL; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her best friend and sister, Teresa (Tessie) (Allen Ziegler) of Centerville, OH. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank “Fonz” Gaschel and 12 siblings.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 12, 11 a.m. from St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie. Interment will be in Kinderhook Cemetery. A visitation hour prior to Mass will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mrs. Gaschel’s name may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5957 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Nancy M. Wright (1947 – 2018)
HUDSON—Nancy M. Wright, 71, of Hudson passed away Sunday, December 23, 2018 at Columbia Memorial Hospital with her family beside her.
Born in Hudson July 12, 1947, she was the daughter of Alfred Rifenburgh and the late Mary (Kendall) Rifenburgh.
She was a graduate of Hudson High School and worked at Salvation Army in Hudson.
In addition to her father, she is survived by: her son, David June; her sister, Deborah (Robert) Sitser; her nephews and nieces, Robert V. Sitser (Patty Bowes), Tiffeny (Alfonso) Cantu, Maryjo (Kenneth) Burger, Danielle (Blake) Kush, Heather Jennings, Shalayne Jennings and Aaron Jennings; great-nieces and nephews, Victoria and Ayden Burger, Emma Cantu, Skyler and Addison Kush.
Ms. Wright will be greatly missed by all. Her family and friends will remember her for her quick wit, love for shopping and her impeccable taste in fashion. Her relationship with her sister, Deborah was inspirational and a true testament to the bond that two sisters share.
Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours and a private burial of her ashes will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stuyvesant Falls. Donations in Ms. Wright’s name may be made to The Community Hospice, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany 12208.
Arrangements are with the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. To leave online condolences visit www.saccomcdonaldvalenti.com