Obituaries
from the
Greenville Local
December 2006
Newspapers courtesy of Sylvia Hasenkopf. Retyped by Colleen Maresca
December 7, 2006
EVELYN E. DURAND
CATSKILL—Evelyn E. Durand, 95, died Nov. 30, 2006 at the Kaaterskill Care Center, Catskill, where she has been a patient for the last three years. Prior to her stay at the Kaaterskill Care Center, she was a resident of The Pavilion for 10 years.
She was born in Brooklyn, April 22, 1911, and was the daughter of the late James and Ella Wynn.
Evelyn has been an area resident for over 20 years. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a secretary in the insurance industry.
She is survived by two nephews, Richard and David Kearns; and her two dear friends, Ruth Herron and Clara Stapchuk.
December 7, 2006
MARY A. DONOHUE
Mary A. Donohue, 85, of Greenville, New York, passed away at her home on November 30, 2006. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 7, 1921. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter J. Donohue in 1977.
Surviving are a son, Peter of Greenville, New York; two daughters, Margaret (Marge) of Albany, New York, and Annette Rao (Phil) of Tamarac, Florida.
Graveside service will be Tuesday, 11 a.m., at the Greenville Cemetery, Greenville, New York. There will be no calling hours. Those who desire may contribute in her memory to the Greenville Rescue Squad, PO Box 332, Greenville, NY 12083.
The family would like to thank Dr. Alan Rauch, Dr. Adele Strominger and their staff, and Maureen Waak from the Eddy V.N.A. for the kindness and care given to their mother.
Arrangements by the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville, New York.
December 7, 2006
E.BRUCE SKIDMORE
E. Bruce Skidmore, 78 years, of Greenville, New York, passed away on December 2, 2006 at the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, New York. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on February 24, 1928, son of the late Harold and Hazel (Whittridge) Skidmore.
He enlisted in the US Air Force following his graduation from high school. Serving at the later part of WWII with the 423rd Photo Tech Squadron and the 311th Air Division at Bolling A.F. Base in Washington, D.C. He received a Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
Bruce returned to civilian life in 1949 and worked with his father as a carpenter and later moved to Greenville, New York, working for the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development as a housing consultant and building inspector. He was also a former inspector for Catskill Mountain Housing Development Corp. and a member of the Greenville-Norton Hill U.M. Church. As a nature lover, he used his talent for woodcarving, and later in life, learned to make lifelike images of the wildlife he loved so much.
Surviving are his wife, June (Pierson) Skidmore; his two daughters, Carol Spannagel and her husband Bill, and Meredith Grupe and her husband Mark; a son, James Skidmore and his wife Stephanie; four grandchildren, Christopher and Teresa Goodman, Kyle Grupe and his wife Maureen and Trevor Grupe; one great-grandson, Brady Grupe; and a brother, Rodney Skidmore and his wife Diane.
As to his wishes he was cremated and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9 at 4 p.m. at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York. Friends may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 2 to 4 p.m. Interment will take place at the convenience of the family in the Cairo Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in Bruce’s memory to either the Greenville-Norton Hill U.M. Church or Greenville American Legion Post NO. 291.
December 7, 2006
PETER PRIPUTEN
CAIRO—Peter Priputen, 78, of 70 Scotch Rock Road, South Cairo, died Nov. 30, 2006 at the Community Hospice of Columbia Memorial Hospital after a long illness.
He was born in Yonkers on March 12, 1928 and was the son of the late Andrew and Anna (Sada) Priputen.
During W.W. II, he served with the U.S. Marine Corps and was part of the National Guard with New York State for 20 years.
He retired from EnCon in 1989. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 983 in Cairo; a member of the Greene County Police Association; and was an avid gardener, woodworker and antique collector.
He is survived by his wife, Jean F. (O’Bryan) Priputen of South Cairo; a son, Steven P. Priputen and wife Rhonda of Virginia; two daughters, Mrs. William (Nancy) Madrian of Rensselaerville, Mrs. Thomas (Beth) Tilley of Freehold; sister, Helen Stauder of South Cairo; seven grandchildren, Nathan and Amy Priputen, Jessica Rhatigan, Christopher Thorne, Ian, Jerry and Addison Brand; and two great-grandchildren, Claire and Aidan Rhatigan.
Funeral services took place Monday, 10 a.m. at the Resurrection Lutheran Church, Cairo, with the Rev. Victor Nelson, pastor, officiating.
Interment with full military honors followed in the veterans section of the Catskill Rural Cemetery.
Relatives and friends were cordially invited to attend calling hours at the Richards Funeral Home, 29 Bross St., Cairo, on Sunday.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Community Hospice, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414; or to the Resurrection Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Cairo, NY 12413.
December 14, 2006
ORLOFF BEAR, SR.
Orloff “Orlie” Bear, Sr., 88, of Greenville, New York, passed away at his home on December 8, 2006. He was born in Greenville, New York on October 7, 1918, son of the late Burdette and Edith K. (Story) Bear.
“Orlie” was very fond of animals of all kind and he passed that love of animals and farming on to his children and grandchildren. This fondness led to lifelong love of county fairs, especially the Greene County Youth Fair, of which he was president for five years. He also attended the Altamont Fair every year from the time he was a child and was recently awarded a lifelong pass by the Fair Board. Orlie’s devotion to the Altamont Fair was demonstrated by his 30 years of service on the Altamont Fair Board.
His love for fairs was complimented by his involvement in 4H and the youth of the community. He was a leader of the Greenville Ramblers 4H Club for 30 years.
In addition, he was very loyal to the Republican Party in Greenville and was a Republican committeeman for 30 years and a deputy town clerk for his wife for 28 years. Orlie’s service to his community extended to the Greenville Vol. Fire Co. in which he was a life member.
He was very enthusiastic about standard bred horses and horseracing. He was a member of the Tri-County Pony Club for 20 years.
Orlie was a bus driver for the Greenville Central School District for 35 years and carried thousands of children to school safely through his lifetime.
He was passionate about sports and recreational activities, enjoying basketball, baseball and bowling. He also excelled at dancing and, in fact, his wife claims that the reason she married him was because he was tall, blonde and had fancy footwork.
Orlie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne (Yates) Bear; two sons, Orloff Bear, Jr. (Terry), Richard Bear (Gloria); a daughter, Katherine Schlenker (Michael); his grandchildren, Mary and Michael Skehan, Christine and Craig Zito, Katie and Kevin Sill, Jeremy and Nick Bear, Eric Bear, Lauren, Lea, Elizabeth and Jenna Schlenker, Antoinette, Nicholas and David Bader; great-grandsons, Devin and Garret Skehan and Colin Zito. Also surviving are two brothers, Wilton Bear, Sr. and Paul Bear (Marylou), and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was Tuesday at the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville, New York. Friends called at the funeral home Monday. Interment was in the Greenville Cemetery.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Greene County Youth Fair, the Greenville Rescue Squad or to the Greenville Norton-Hill U.M. Church.
December 21, 2006
DOMINIC M. GRECCO
WEST COXSACKIE--- Dominic M. Grecco, age 79 years, of West Coxsackie, died Dec. 17, 2006, at his residence.
He was born July 14, 1927, in Brooklyn, NY, and was the son of the late Pelligrino and Rosalina (Fricchiore) Grecco.
Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Coxsackie, with Rev. Fr. J. Moyna, Pastor, the Celebrant.
Interment followed in the family plot of the St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Coxsackie.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dolores A. (Sheridan) Grecco of W. Coxsackie; five sons, Lawrence D. Grecco and Michael D. Grecco of Florida, Jerry W. Grecco of Earlton, Curtis R. Grecco of W. Coxsackie, Keith P. Grecco of New Baltimore; grandchildren, Michael Paul Yannon, Brandon J. Yannon and Andrew Stone of Florida, Michael J. Grecco, Krystal L. Grecco, Anthony J. Grecco, Debra A. Grecco and Joseph E. Grecco of Coxsackie, Christian D. Grecco, Cameron D. Grecco and Vincent M. Grecco of Ravena, Tyler J. Grecco and Justin M. Grecco of Greenville; and also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Debra Stone, who predeceased him on Aug. 24, 1996; also predeceased by six brothers, Tony, Augie, Fred, Billy, James and Joey Grecco, also predeceased by a sister, Margaret Deluca.
Dominic had been an area resident for 50 years, he retired from the State of NY, as an engineer, he owned and operated The Catskill Gun Shop in Greene Co. for 47 years, he was a life member of The N.R.A., and a member of The Coxsackie Sportsman’s Club, a member of The North American Rifle Association.
Relatives were invited to attend calling hours at The W.C. Brady’s Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion St., Coxsackie, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to The Community Hospice, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414. Envelopes may be obtained at the funeral home for your convenience.
December 21, 2006
AGNES ROSE HOFFMANN SABERG
CATSKILL—Agnes Rose Hoffmann Saberg age 92 years, formerly of Ravena, died Dec. 11, 2006, at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. She had been a resident of Eden Park Nursing Home in Catskill since Dec. 23, 2005. She was born in Staten Island NY on Dec. 23, 1913.
Mass of The Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday morning at the St. Mary’s R.C. Church with Rev. John Moyna, The Celebrant. Interment followed in the family plot of St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery next to her late husband, Arnold, who predeceased her in 1995.
Agnes was the daughter of Robert and Catherine (Wilton) Hoffmann.
Agnes was employed at the Willowbrook State School for a period of 13 years and then by Greene County Memorial for 20 years, retiring in 1984.
She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Reiter of W. Coxsackie and Betty Ray Priece of Fla.; two grandchildren, Robert C. Ray of Fla. and Melissa (Ray) Dykeman of Leeds; five great grandchildren, Alecia Dykeman, Lizbeth Ray, Jordan D. Ray, Kyle and Nicole Dykeman of Leeds. Also surviving are two sisters, Anna Anderson of Fla. and Beatrice Berlisnsky of Hannacroix and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by three brothers, John K. Hoffmann, Daniel Hoffmann, Harry Hoffmann, and a sister, Catherine Hancock.
Relatives and friends were invited to call at the W.C. Brady’s Sons Funeral Home, 97 Mansion St., Coxsackie, on Thursday.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Eden Park Patient Activity Fund, 154 Jefferson Heights, Catskill, NY 12414.
December 28, 2006
MARIAN E. RIBLEY
Marian E. Ribley, 88, entered eternal life on December 25, 2006. She was born in New York City, had lived in Greenville and most of her life in Ravena. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Ravena.
Marian was predeceased by her husband, William J. Ribley. Survivors include her daughters, Christine (Dennis) LaRose of Ravena, and Wilma (John) Libertucci of Ravena; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 12 noon Thursday, December 28 at the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena, with Rev. Susan Kerr officiating. Burial will follow in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Contributions in memory of Marian may be made to the Ravena Rescue Squad or to the Ravena Hose Co.
December 28, 2006
NICHOLAS P. BIER
CAIRO—Nicholas P. Bier, 72, died Dec. 17, 2006.
Born in the Bronx on March 2, 1924, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Loretta Bier.
A long time resident of Greene County, he attended Cairo Central School and graduated in 1952. Nick served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a postmaster in Freehold and Acra for more than 30 years until his retirement. He served as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus in East Durham. Nick was a life member of the Cairo Hose Co. and was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Cairo.
Nicholas was a well-known family man who was loved and special to many people.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Ernistine Bier; a son, Michael Bier, Sr. of Acra; brother, Martin Bier of Tupper Lake; grandchildren, Crystal Bier of Catskill, Michael Bier, Jr. and wife Heather of Purling; great-grandchildren, Brianah Bier, Perry “P.J.” McArthur, Robert “D.J.” Moore and Nicholas Michael Bier; stepchildren, Kerry and Billy Willenbucker; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Richards Funeral Home, 29 Bross St., Cairo.
Private cremation will take place at the Albany Rural Crematorium in Menands.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Father James Borstelmann officiating. The New York State Military Forces Honor Guard will be present for the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cairo Ambulance; Community Hospice, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414; or the Samuel S. Stratton V.A. Medical Center, 113, Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.