Obituaries
from the
Greenville Press
November 2007
Transcribed by Carol Golden
Obituaries provided by Sylvia Hasenkopf
November 1, 2007
FRANCES HICKEY
VP of personnel
Frances Ann Hickey, 83, of Hannacroix, died Thursday, October 25 at Barnwell Nursing Home, Valatie.
She was born in Brooklyn August 28, 1924, the daughter of the late Vito and Mary (Ceriono) Santarello.
Frances was vice-president of personnel with Hamilton Federal Bank in Brooklyn until her retirement.
She was a loving wife, sister and aunt, and a friend to all.
Surviving are her husband, Patrick J. “Joe” Hickey; a sister, Rose Lomanto of Staten Island; two nephews, Donald and James Lomanto; a niece, Rosemary Hangarias; and several other nieces and nephews.
Interment was in the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 8, 2007
FRANK FARRENKOPF
WWII Army veteran
Frank C. Farrenkopf, 84, of Durham, formerly of Middle Village, died Sunday, November 4 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.
He was born in Ridgewood March 12, 1923, the son of the late Frank W. and Theresa (Schlagmuller) Farrenkopf.
Frank was a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School and served in the Army during World War II in the North Apennines, Po Valley and Rome-Arno Campaigns.
He was employed by the New York Telephone Co. (Verizon) as a test desk tech until his retirement.
Frank was a member of the Tri Town Memorial VFW Post 7229, Durham Valley American Legion Post 1416 and the Catholic War Veterans in Queens. He was honored as Greene County Veteran of the Year in 2006.
Frank was a fourth degree knight with Our Lady of Knock Council # 6439 Knights of Columbus. He also was a volunteer driver for the Greene County Department for the Aging and a trustee of the Cairo Library.
He was a stained glass artist; having made chandeliers for the family and conducting demonstrations in the Cairo- Durham schools.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Marion (Tisch) Farrrenkopf; four daughters, Mary Jane McCartney and her husband George of Middle Village, Ann Gorman and her husband Michael of Albany, Joan Grothmann and partner John Hendersen of East Northport and Patricia Farrenkopf of Middle Village; a son, Frank T. Farrenkopf and wife Julie of Lake Oswego; two brothers, Joseph Farrenkopf of Bayside and Thomas Farrenkopf of Tigard, OR; a sister, Therese Basedow of Middle Village; 11 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are Friday, October 9 at 11:15 a.m. from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon at Our Lady of Knock Shrine in East Durham.
Calling is today, November 8, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Burial is in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in Frank’s memory to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
November 8, 2007
VIRGINIA GATELY
St. Mary’s communicant
Virginia A. Gately, 76, a resident of Pavilion in Catskill for the past 10 years and formerly of Coxsackie, died Saturday, November 3 at Eden Park Health Care Center, Catskill.
She was born in the Bronx November 15, 1930.
Prior to her retirement she was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank of New York City.
She also was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Anthony (Shannon) Concra of Lake George; a son, Larry Gately of Astoria; and a grandchild, Alyssa L. Concra.
Her husband, Thomas, died before her.
A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated Saturday, November 10 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
Interment follows in the family plot of St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery.
Calling is Saturday, November 10 from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the W.C. Brady’s Sons Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie.
November 8, 2007
RITA POLATTY
Enjoyed photography
Rita L. Polatty, 61, of Bayfield, CO, formerly of Greenville, died Thursday, November 1.
She was born in Catskill November 24, 1945, the daughter of the late Waldo and Ella (Tyron) Powell.
She enjoyed beading and photography and had been employed at the Wal-Mart store in Durango before her illness.
Surviving are two stepdaughters, Jameson Church (Darrin) and Jessica Polatty; a sister, Irene Powell; a brother, Richard Powell (JoAnn); a sister-in-law Pat Langley (Ronnie); and three grandsons.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, John H. Polatty, and her son, Matthew Fenn.
Those who wish may contribute in Rita’s memory to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 8, 2007
HAROLD “MANNY’ SHOOK
Retiree
Harold “Manny” Shook, 67, of Coeymans Hollow, died Wednesday, October 31 after a long illness.
He was born in Catskill, the son of the late Peter and Flossie Shook.
Manny had lived in Coeymans Hollow for 12 years and retired in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Delores Luck Shook; children Kym (Mike) Bongiorno, Brent Shook, MaryJo Shook, Kristie (Joseph) Martone, Randy (Alicia) Nichols, Salina Shook, Denise Warren, Pau Connely and Kelly Gallagher; brothers Peter and Claude Shook; sisters Carrie Hartman, Rose Triplett, Eileen Steinke and Joan Nicholas; mother and father-in-law Richard and Dolores Luck; brothers-in-law John (Darline), Richard, Charles and David Luck; sister-in-law Debra Luck; 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Contributions in Manny’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were with Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.
November 15, 2007
JOHN ANTHONY SINGER
Resort owner
John Anthony Singer, 98, of Lauderdale Lakes, died peacefully on Wednesday, November 7 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
John was born March 10, 1909 in the Bronx to Ida Smoker and August Singer.
John married Isabelle Stroell in November 1936. The two of them loved to dance and won the Harvest Moon Ball for “All Around Champions” at Roseland in New York City.
He worked as a senior bookkeeper for the Consolidated Edison Company in Manhattan for almost 20 years and on weekends, worked at senior maitre’d at a popular nightclub, Henry’s Bay View Inn in the Bronx, where many of the New York Yankee baseball players met for dinner.
John and Isabelle and their daughters, Jeanette and Linda, moved to a farmhouse in the Catskills in 1950 and after many years of hard work and sacrifice, turned the property into a beautiful resort, The Alberta Lodge and Hayloft, accommodating 120 guests a week.
John and Isabelle loved the Greenville area and the many wonderful friends they had there, but after 29 years of business, decided to sell the resort and retire. They spent their summers in Freehold and the rest of the year in their condo over-looking the ocean in Boca Raton, FL.
On August 26, 1986, after 50 happy years of marriage, Isabelle died and John decided to live year-round in Florida. Six years later he married his second wife, Rosemary Talbert. Dancing was their passion and they enjoyed performing dance exhibitions and donated the money for these exhibitions to charities.
They competed in the Florida Dance Championships at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach and won first place in all the categories they entered. John and Rosemary can be seen dancing in the movie Wrestling Ernest Hemminway, starring Robert Duval. Mr. Duval told John he was his idol and hoped to become as accomplished a dancer as he was.
John loved spending time with his family, telling stories about his life as a young boy working on his step-father’s farm in South Jersey and staying at his grandparents’ home in the Bronx. He always had a few good jokes and magic tricks to keep everyone entertained.
He was always a kind, loving, gentle man with a warm sense of humor. John had a true and good heart, and family and friends were always his priority. Those people lucky enough to know him knew they had met someone really special in this world. John’s love of life and joyful spirit will continue to live on through those who love him.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Mildred Singer, brother Henry Singer, first wife Isabelle Stroell Singer, grandson Carl J. Pfeifer and great-grand-daughter Ashley L. Presby.
Surviving are his sister, Gertrude Daubenschmidt (100 years old) of Old Lyme, CT; second wife Rosemary Talbert Singer of Lauderhill Lake, FL; daughters Jeannette (Robert) Rose of Freehold and Linda (Murry) Berger of Boca Raton, FL, and Wyckoff, NJ; grandchildren Denise (Abbot) Presby of Concord, NH, Jena (Chuck) Boomhower of Franklin Lakes, NJ, John (Pauline) Rose of Schroon Lake and Lori Pfeifer of Wyckoff, NJ; great-grand-children Austin Presby, Meredith Presby, Carl Boomhower, Katelyn Rose, Erica Boomhower, Robert Rose and Isabelle Boomhower; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for John takes place at a later time in Florida. His funeral was November 14 at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. He was buried in the Greenville Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s name to the Greene County Hospice, the Greene County Alzheimer’s Foundation and the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
November 15, 2007
ALICE SUTTON
Operated a farm
Alice L. Sutton, 92, of Cornwallville died Tuesday, November 6 at the Eden Park Health Care Center in Catskill.
She was born in Lambs Corners on June 3, 1915, the daughter of the late Frederick and Carrie (Bishop) Beaton.
Alice married Erik Sutton in 1934 and they operated the Sutton Farm throughout their entire life together. She loved feeding her family and running the farm.
Alice was predeceased by her husband, Erik Sutton; a daughter, Edith Baumann; a sister, Mary E. Beaton; and a great-grandson, Micah Allan.
Surviving are her son, Thomas E. Sutton and wife Linda of Cornwallville; three daughters, Elsie Allan and husband James of East Durham, Emilie Sharkey and husband Gerard of North Valley Stream, Long Island, and Elizabeth Hendrick and husband Alfred of Catskill; a sister-in-law, Inez "Lady" Sutton; 10 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
As to her wishes, Alice was cremated.
Those who wish to remember Alice may contribute in her memory to the Greenville Library, Town of Durham Ambulance or a favorite charity.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 15, 2007
MIRIAM MABEY
Former sales clerk
Miriam E. Mabey, 76, of Greenville, died suddenly at her home on Thursday, November 8.
She was born in Rochester on March 21, 1931, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Ruth (Hamm) Clark.
Miriam was a former sales clerk at Von's Department Store in Greenville and loved helping out at the day care center at the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church.
An excellent seamstress, she also raised and sold parakeets. she also loved to paint.
Surviving are three daughters, Jill Holmberg (Peter) of Queensbury, Penelope Henry of South Cairo and Terry Preisner (Richard) of Freehold; a son, William Mabey (Charlene) of Windham and Kenneth Mabey (Yvonne) of Hyde Park; three brothers, Willow, Willis and Donald Clark; two sisters, Helen Hazzard and Dorothy Moore; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Mabey.
Interment was in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Those who desire may contribute in her memory to the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church or to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 15, 2007
MARILYN JEAN RUDE
Enjoyed sewing
Following a long illness, Marilyn Jean Hillicoss Rude, 58, died Saturday, November 3 in Evergreen Nursing and Hospice Center in Effingham, IL.
She was born in Coxsackie October 2, 1950, the daughter of Martha Elpel Hillicoss of Greenville Center and the late Clifford Hillicoss.
Marilyn was a graduate of Greenville Central School. She loved needlework and sewing, and made many items of clothing and Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for her family.
Besides her mother, surviving are her husband, Ronald Rude of Flora, IL; four children, Charlene (Kevin) Shafer, Elizabeth (John) Clark, Joseph D. Schilling III, all of Indianapolis, IN, and Christopher Schilling of Effingham, IL; their father, Joseph D. Schilling II; a sister, Joyce W. (Rory) Van Deusen of Cape Coral, Fl; sister-in-law Marie Hillicoss of Latham; aunts Gertrude (Carl) Smith of South Westerlo, Elizabeth (Frederick) Weber of Polson, MT, and Ingeborg Hillicoss of East Durham; uncles Robert Elpel of Durham, Ronald Slingerland of Westboro, MA, and Gilbert Palmer of Mt. Morris; five grandchildren; two nieces; three nephews; and many cousins.
Besides her father, she was predeceased by her brother, Fred V. Hillicoss, her grandparents and several aunts and uncles.
Following cremation, memorial services were held at Neil's Funeral Home in Louisville, IL.
November 15, 2007
JOSEPH CIPOLLA
Pharmaceutical firm retiree
Joseph Cipolla, 87, of Greenville, formerly of Yonkers, died Friday, November 9at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.
He was born in Yonkers November 12, 1919, the son of the late Salvatore and Marie (Gillert) Cipolla.
Joe served in the Army during World War II and received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, American Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
He retired after working for Sandoz Pharmaceutical in Andover, NJ, where he was the warehouse manager. He moved to Greenville in 1982.
A friend to all, he delivered meals for the Meals on Wheels program and would help anyone who needed that extra hand.
He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Trondle) Cipolla, daughter Elaine Polowsky and brothers George, Vincent and James Cipolla.
Surviving are his son, Raymond J. Cipolla; a daughter, JoAnn Cipolla; a sister, Katherine Maresca; a special niece, Annette DeLuccy; a special nephew, Ed Jones; and several other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are today, November 15, at 1pm from Cunningham Funeral Home, 44898 Route 81, Greenville.
Calling precedes services from 11am to 1pm
Interment is in the Greenville Cemetery.
November 21, 2007
RANDALL WINN
Celtics fan
Randall D. Winne, 84, died Wednesday, November 14 at his home in Coeymans.
Randall was born and raised in Cedar Hill, the son of the late Barbara and Arthur Winne.
He graduated from Coeymans High School in 1941 and served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946.
Randall was a chemical operator’s foreman at Sterling Drug Company from which he retired in 1985.
He was a proud Celtics fan, an avid gardener, cook extraordinaire, a devout trout fisherman, and a great high school basketball and baseball player.
Surviving are his children, Barbara Winne and fiancé Henry Michelin of Ravena, Wayne Winne of Deposit and Laurie Yanni and husband Marc of Ravena; siblings Velma Boyd of New Baltimore, Fay Sager of West Coxsackie and Clifton Winne of Ravena; and grandchildren, Sarah and Shelby Yanni.
He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley D. Winne, with whom he celebrated his 60th anniversary this August. A brother, Douglas Winne, also died before him.
Contributions in Randall’s memory may be made to the Coeymans Fire Auxiliary, Shirley D. Winne Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 42, Coeymans, 12045.
Arrangements were with Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.
November 21, 2007
MIRIAM MABEY
Former sales clerk
Miriam E. Mabey, 76, of Greenville, died suddenly at her home on Thursday, November 8.
She was born in Rochester on March 21, 1931, the daughter of the late Lloyd and Ruth (Hamm) Clark.
Miriam was a former sales clerk at Von’s Department Store in Greenville and loved helping out at the day care center at the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church.
An excellent seamstress, she also raised and sold parakeets. She also loved to paint.
Surviving are three daughters, Jill Holmberg (Peter) of Queensbury, Penelope Henry of South Cairo and Terry Preisner (Richard) of Freehold; a son, William Mabey (Diane) of Greenville; two stepsons, Kenneth Mabey (Charlene) of Windham and Wayne Mabey (Yvonne) of Hyde Park; two brothers, Willis and Donald Clark; three sisters, Willow Clark, Helen Hazzard and Dorothy Moore; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Mabey.
Interment was in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Those who desire may contribute in her memory to the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church or to the American Lung Association.
Arrangements were with the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 29, 2007
RUTH PATTON-BERGWALL
Former EMT
Ruth E. Patton-Bergwall, 83, of Medusa, died Tuesday, November 20 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, Albany.
She was born in Brooklyn December 10, 1923, the daughter of the late Anders J. and Anna K. (Christensen) Lauersen.
During World War II Ruth was a Rosie the Riveter, working at Republic Aviation assembling wingspans with hot rivets.
Prior to moving to Medusa in October 1964, she was a member of the Centerport Methodist Church, where she was active in the choir and planning of the annual strawberry festivals.
She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Rensselaerville, Senior Citizens and VFW Tri Town Memorial Post # 7229 Auxiliary. She was a past member of the Rensselaerville Rescue Squad, where she was an EMT.
Surviving are two sons, George Patton III and wife Eleanor of Westerlo and Richard Patton of Guilderland; daughters Jeannette Rice and husband William of Rensselaerville and Barbara Ruff and husband Gregory of Medusa; a sister, Edith Wettingfeld of Coxsackie; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Ruth was predeceased by her husbands, George Patton Jr. and Harding Bergwall; a son, Walter Lee Patton; a daughter, Ruth Ann Patton; a brother, Andrew Lauersen; two sisters, Esther Madsen and Eileen Palmer.
Burial was in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in Ruth’s memory to the Town of Rensselaerville Rescue squad, 87 Barger Road, Medusa 12120.
November 29, 2007
STEPHEN FRITZ SR.
GE retiree
Stephen L. Fritz Jr., 59, of Rensselaerville, died suddenly at his home on Thursday, November 22.
He was born in Albany December 25, 1947, the son of the late Joseph C. and Ruth C. (Spielmann) Fritz.
Steve was a 1965 graduate of Greenville High School, and a 1967 graduate of Paul Smith’s College. He also attended the University of West Virginia.
He had been a quality control manager at GE in Selkirk for more than 25 years.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He also enjoyed college football and was an avid University of West Virginia football fan.
Surviving are a daughter, Wendy Lanaro (Joseph) of Niskayuna; a son, Stephen L. Fritz Jr. (Jenny) of Rensselaerville; three grandchildren, Amanda and Andrew Mnich and Ryan Fritz; two step-grandchildren, Alexandra and Christian Lanaro; a brother, Joseph C. Fritz Jr. (Janet); two nieces, Jennifer Fritz and Janeen Spencer; a nephew, Jeffrey Fritz; his former wife, Rose Picardi; special friends, Rebecca and Raeleen Shufelt; and his extended family, lifelong friends and caregivers.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Judith Anne Fritz.
Interment was in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
November 29, 2007
RAYMOND NETHAWAY
Meat market operator
Raymond H. “Unc” Nethaway, 71, of Freehold, died at Kaaterskill Care in Catskill on Saturday, November 24.
He was born in Potter Hollow April 8, 1936, the son of the late Leo and Helen (Van Tassel) Nethaway.
Ray was a meat cutter and operated Kusterer Meat Market and also drove a cement truck for Matter.
Ray enjoyed playing golf and fishing. You always knew where you stood with Ray and he didn’t mince any words.
Surviving are his nephews, Gerald Payne and Glenn Payne (Denise); great-nieces Stephanie and Ashley Payne, sister-in-law Dorothy Nethaway; and nieces Debbie Shoemaker and Donna Rhodes.
He was predeceased by is wife Mildred “Millie” (German) Nethaway in May, and his brother, Lambert Nethaway.
Funeral services are today, November 29, at 11 a.m. from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville.
Interment is in the Freehold Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in Ray’s memory to the American Heart Association.
November 29, 2007
EDWARD O’MALLEY
Navy veteran
Edward M. “Teddy” O’Malley, 85, of Brighton, MA, and East Durham, died Monday, November 19.
A World War II veteran, Teddy was most proud of his 20-year Navy service commitment, retiring as a master chief in 1959. He then served more than 20 years as a civilian employee on a naval installation. Teddy considered himself a true Navy man through and through.
Surviving are his sisters, Margaret DelBuono of Groton, MA, and Anne Maloof of Brighton, MA; a brother, Tappy O’Malley of Brighton, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lee O’Malley, and siblings James J. and John O’Malley, Helen Davis and Mary Cappucci.
Ted was buried in East Durham beside his wife. A private military memorial service is to be held in the spring for immediate family members.
November 29, 2007
SCOTT TAYLOR
Transportation supervisor
Scott Earl Taylor, 41, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, November 22, with his wife and children by his side.
He was born November 30, 1965 in Hudson to George and Elizabeth Taylor of Claverack.
Upon graduating from Taconic Hills High School in 1985 he attended and graduated from the New York State Police Academy. He was then employed by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department and later by the New York State Park Police.
He reluctantly left police work after sustaining a debilitating injury in an automobile accident and funneled his passion for public service into the transportation sector.
Among his many accomplishments, he was a 19A certified examiner for the state Department of Motor Vehicles, a school bus driving inspector for the state Education Department and a member of the New York Association of Pupil Transportation.
Scott’s transportation career included a position with Greenville Central School and a recent advancement to transportation supervisor for the Cairo-Durham School District.
He was a former member of the Philmont Fire Department and a current active volunteer in the Earlton Fire Department. He was a member of the Catskill Reformed Church and did volunteer work with the Grapeville Christian School.
Besides his parents, surviving are his wife of 18 years, Jennifer; three children, Matthew, Molly and Ryan; six brothers and two sisters and their families; father and mother-in-law Don and Lynda Davis of Freehold, formerly of Catskill; and a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law and their families.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Taylor Fund in care of the National Bank of Coxsackie, 3-7 Reed Street, Coxsackie 12501.
Arrangements were with Millspaugh-Camerato Funeral Home, Jefferson Heights.