Category Archives: Obituaries

OBITUARIES: Libruk, Ringwood, Varriale, Dalton, Shumsky, Woodward

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John M. Libruk (1956 – 2022)

CLAVERACK—John M. Libruk, 65 years old, of Damita Drive in Claverack passed away January 7 at home surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with lung cancer. His wife of 38 years, Regina, as always was by his side.

Mr. Libruk was the proud and loving father of Lauren (Aviv) Bachan of San Jose, CA, and Alisha (Inez) Libruk of Stuyvesant. He was grandfather to Ari and Maya Bachan and Paxton and Channing Libruk. Also surviving are: his brother, Mark (Renae) Libruk; his brothers-in-law, JB Drahushuk and Mitchell Karp; his beloved nieces, Audra (Andy) Bennett, Tara (Steven) Manierre, Morgan Libruk and Aaron Libruk; and his cherished English Springer Spaniel, Jake. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Libruk and his sister, Patricia Drahushuk, all of whom he loved dearly. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Laspada, Schnackenberg

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Barbara Laspada

Barbara A. Laspada (1955 – 2022)

CHATHAM—Barbara A. Laspada knew everyone, and they knew her. She passed away January 5, 2022.

She was born May 16, 1955 in Manhattan. She graduated class of 1974 at Dodge Vocational High School. In Manhattan she worked in retail.

In 1977 she married her husband of 43 years. She moved up to Chatham, where she continued to work in retail. She volunteered her time with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chatham Fire Department, Saint James Church, and the Mac-Haydn Theatre. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Proper, Duarte, Eckhardt, Sweet, Hardy

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Art Proper

Arthur P. Proper (1934 – 2021)

VALATIE—Arthur “Chee Chee” P. Proper, loving husband, caring father and beloved grandfather passed December 31, 2021 at the age of 87 with his wife by his side.

The son of Marion (Mossman) and Joseph Pulver, he grew up in Valatie and graduated from Martin H. Glynn School.

He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. He also worked as a butcher and meat manager at Albany Public Market for many years. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Newkirk, Ostoyich, Hollenbeck, Friss, Hall, Atwell

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David Newkirk

David N. Newkirk (1946 – 2022)

ALBANY—David Nolan Newkirk, 75, of Westerlo passed away January 1 after a brief, brave battle with cancer at St. Peter’s Hospital.

He was born in Albany to Thomas E. and Mary B. Newkirk. He graduated from Ichabod Crane Central School and started a career in meat processing—spending many years with Price Chopper supermarkets as a meat manager working in several stores. Later he worked at Town and Country foods until his retirement.

He loved the outdoors and the many different aspects of it. He was the president of the Kinderhook Sportsmen’s Club for more than 10 years. He was also an NRA life-member and a certified NRA and NYSDEC instructor. He received many awards for the years of hunter safety education he provided to the community. Read more…

OBITUARIES: Olm, Day, Sharp, Lester, Isbester

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Richelle Olm

Richelle Olm (1968 – 2021)

ALBANY—Richelle Olm of Craryville passed away the afternoon of December 20, 2021 while battling cancer at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born May 30, 1968 in Hudson, she was a graduate of Hudson High School. She was a server at Martindale Chief Diner and Main Street Diner in Valatie for many years.

She was predeceased by her parents, Richard E. Olm and Patrica Olm. She survived by: her loving fiancé, Michael Masten; her loving children, Christopher Rowan, Nathaniel Picardi and Michaela Masten; her two grandsons, Levi Lachance and Theodore Picardi; her aunt, Nancy (Olm) Scalera; brothers, John and Richard Olm; her sisters, Lisa and Kim Zullo; numerous loved ones and friends. Read more…