Obituaries
from the
Greenville Local
June 2009
Newspapers courtesy of Sylvia Hasenkopf. Transcribed by Carol Golden
June 11, 2009
EDMUND JOSEPH WALENTA IV
Edmund Joseph Walenta IV, 81, died peacefully at his home in Greenville NY, Saturday June 6. Ed was blessed by God with a beautiful singing voice which he put to use early in his life. At 10 he began singing in the Boy’s Choir at Trinity Cathedral in Newark, NJ.
A member of the Army during the Korean War he served as Organist and Chaplains Assistant while stationed in Japan.
Ed graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 1956 with a Bachelors Degree and began his professional music career. A member of Actors Equity, Ed sang in musicals on and off Broadway, including the Jones Beach Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse and Radio City Music Hall. Ed always found time to include membership in choirs of the Episcopal Church. It was while singing at St. Mary the Virgin in Manhattan that he met and married Marilyn Dawson in 1956.
While the financial requirements of a family led him to other careers both as a typographer and as an Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counselor, Ed’s passion for singing never ended.
Upon moving to the Albany area, Ed served as Organist and Choir Director of Calvary Church, Cairo followed by Christ Church, Greenville. He quickly became known as one of the best baritone soloists in the Capital District. While regularly singing at both St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Temple Beth Emeth, both in Albany, he was an occasional concert soloist with several local choral groups including Albany Pro Musica and Hudson Valley Choral Society.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn of 52 years, 4 children Robert (Barbara) Walenta, Joyce Pizzigati, Deborah Noye and Susan (Cessna) Brown, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Calling hours are at Cunningham’s Funeral Home in Greenville on Wednesday June 10 from 5 PM to 8 PM. The funeral service will be at Christ Church Episcopal Thursday June 11 at 11 AM. Donations in his memory can be made to Christ Church Greenville.
June 25, 2009
ETHELYN R. BATES
A Graveside Service, to which relatives and friends are invited, for Ethelyn R. Bates who passed away on Jan. 21, 2009, will held on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Medusa Cemetery.
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