Obituaries
from the
Greenville Press
December 2008
Transcribed by Carol Golden
Obituaries provided by Sylvia Hasenkopf
December 4, 2008
GRACE C FILKINS
Former sales clerk
Grace C. Filkins, 91, of Rensselaerville, died Monday, December 1 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, Albany.
She was born in New York City on July 23, 1917, the daughter of the late Mentone and Sarah Kuhn.
Grace was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School and was a former sales clerk at Woolworth’s in Elsmere.
Grace loved life and lived it well. She was an active bowler, enjoyed snowmobiling, her moped and paddle boating on Crystal Lake. She also liked to do jigsaw puzzles, was a New York Jets fan and loved Snoopy.
She attended Trinity Episcopal Church, Rensselaerville, since she was 13 years old.
Grace was proud of having a grandson and great-grandson serving in Iraq.
Besides her parents, Grace was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd J. Filkins, and a daughter, Marian Duffy.
Surviving are her sons, Ralph Filkins (Rosemary), Judson Filkins (Sandra) and Richard Filkins (Bettyann); her daughter, Barbara Joslin (Robert); 12 grandchildren, Paula Brush (Robert), Kimberly Stemple (Patrick), Andrew Joslin (Lisa), Donald Filkins (Debra), Terri Buchardt (Brian), Robert Tanner (Christina), Stacy Woodworth (Lance), Monica Castilli (Scott), David Filkins, Laurin Sgroi (Ray), and Karin and Sharin Duffy; 19 great-grandchildren; and her special son-in-law, Richard Duffy.
Funeral services are Friday, December 5 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Interment is in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
Friends may call at Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, today, December 4, from 4 to 8 p.m.
December 4, 2008
LORRAINE R. SEAGE
Legion Auxiliary member
Lorraine R, Seage, 76, of East Durham, formerly of Massapequa, died Sunday, November 30, at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson.
She was born in Brooklyn October 22, 1932, the daughter of the late Kames and Margaret (Schmidt) Angelikas.
Lorraine and her husband George relocated to East Durham in 1987.
She was a cook for the Massapequa School District until her retirement. Lorraine was a member of the Durham Valley American Legion Post #1416 Auxiliary and a former member of the Red Hatters in Florida.
Surviving are her husband, George R. Seage; her son, George R. Seage III and wife Ann Aschengrau; her daughter, Janet Seage and fiance Jeffrey Shriver; a grandson, Gregory Seage; a sister, May Becker; and several nieces and nephews.
A committal service is today, December 4, at 11 a.m. in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 4, 2008
DENISE M. SWISS
Administrative assistant
Denise M. (McPartland) Swiss, 47, died Wednesday, November 19 at her fiance’s home in Poestenkill after a long illness, with her family and fiancé at her side.
She was employed as an administrative assistant by IBM/Nanotech out of Albany. She enjoyed doing her job and she appreciated all of the support from her superiors as well as her co-workers over the past year.
Denise is survived by her father, James R. McPartland of Coxsackie; her mother, Audrey J. Wood of Coxsackie; her daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Swiss of New Jersey; her fiance, Bruce Lynch of Poestenkil; her sister and brother-in-law, Coleen (McPartland) and Joseph Harmer of Earlton; her brothers, James R. McPartland Jr. and fiancée Cindy Boyd of Surprise and Kevin McPartland of Albany; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Coxsackie.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer 12144.
Arrangements were with W.C. Brady Funeral Home, Coxsackie.
December 4, 2008
MICHAEL J DOWNEY
Postal service retiree
Michael J. Downey, 78, of Oak Hill, died at his home on Sunday, November 30.
He was born in Denville, NJ, August 3, 1930, the son of the late Morton and Barbara (Bennett) Downey.
Michael was a retired postal worker, having worked at the Hudson Post Office.
Surviving are his dear friend and companion, Darby Downey; and his children Diana, Michael, Suzanne, Christopher and Jennifer Downey.
A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated today, December 4, at 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Greenville. Interment follows in the Rensselaerville Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 4, 2008
WINFRED N. DAVIS
Baseball player
Winfred “Win” N. Davis, 94, of South Westerlo, died at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Delmar on Sunday, November 30.
He was born in Westerlo April 29, 1914, the son of the late Carey and Rosetta Davis.
Well known as a fantastic pitcher and hitter, he played baseball in the Greenville area and semi-pro baseball for the Gloversville Glovers, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 1940s.
In the late 1960s he purchased his first race horse and spent the next several years at Saratoga finding himself in the Winners Circle many times.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he shot many deer and even a black bear.
He worked for the Albany County Highway department and also operated a small farm.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret (Kinns) Davis; a daughter, Sandra E. Day (Richard); a son Dain W. Davis; his grandchildren, David O’Keefe, Stacey O’Keefe and Danielle Day; and his great-grandchildren, Kasey, Molly and Matthew O’Keefe.
He was predeceased by a sister, Pearl Snider, and a brother, Albert Davis.
As to his wishes, Win was cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 11, 2008
JOYCE M. LEWIS
Former cook
Joyce M. Lewis, 65, of Greenville, died Saturday, December 6 at her son’s home with her loving family at her side.
She was born in Hannacroix on November 19, 1943, the daughter of the late J. Donald and Bertha (Palmer) Palmer.
A graduate of Greenville Central School, she was employed as a cook at Baumann’s Brookside Resort in Greenville.
She was active in the local community, serving as a former den mother and 4-H leader. She was also a member of the Greenville Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, the Greenville Fire Police, the Greenville Golden Years and the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Kevin Lewis (Rosemary) and Kyle Lewis; two daughters, Kimberli Lewis (Dan) and Kristina Lewis; a brother, Ronnie Palmer; four sisters, Jesse Palmer, Jean Ridner, Joan Bougourd and June Bender; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Those who desire may contribute in her memory to the Greenville Volunteer Fire Auxiliary or Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 11, 2008
DONALD K. MABEE
GCS administrator
Donald K. Mabee, 98, of Gastonia, NC, formerly of South Westerlo, died at his home on Thursday, December 4.
He was born in Goshen January 23, 1910, the son of the late William and Netti (Kimball)Mabee.
Don was a graduate of Cortland State College and was a form coach, athletic director and administrator of Greenville Central School.
He was a former president of Eastern Co-Operative Insurance Company and formerly served as a board member of numerous insurance companies of the State of New York.
Don was a member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Co for more than 50 years and a member and past master of the James M. Austin Masonic Lodge #557 F&AM for 72 years. He was also a member of the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church, where he served as a deacon and elder.
An active sportsman, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, a good game of poker and being a member of the Out-A-Fit Hunting Club and the Monday Nigh Bowling League. He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Surviving are a son, Bentley Mabee (Carol) of Gastonia, NC; a grandson, Eric Mabee (Anne) of Pittsboro, NC; a granddaughter, Michel Mabee Allred (Mark) of Greensboro, NC; and two great-grandchildren, Madison Carol Allred and Logan Bentley Allred of Greensboro, NC.
He was predeceased by his wife, Genevieve (Bliss) Mabee; a brother, Harry Mabee; a sister, Hattie Quackenbush; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will take place at a later date in South Westerlo, with interment in the Greenville Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church, South Westerlo 12083.
Local arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 11, 2008
ALAN D. SODERBLOM
Auto technician
Alan D, Soderblom, 46, of Medusa, died suddenly on Thursday, December4.
He was born in Catskill July 30, 1962, the son of Charles Soderblom and Joan (Dring) Anspacher.
Alan was employed as an auto technician by Sawyer Chevrolet in Catskill. He loved cars and car racing, and was a fan of NASCAR, hot rod racing and drag racing. He attended local car shows with his purple 1933 Willys.
Surviving are his wife, Judy (Schreiweis) Soderblom; his father and stepmother, Charles and Roberta Soderblom; his mother and stepfather, Joan and Robert Anspacher; a sister, Joann Acker (Robert); and several nieces and nephews.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Medusa Volunteer Fire Co. or to the mental health organization of your choice.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
December 11, 2008
DANTE “DANNY” PERA
Construction worker
Dante “Danny” Joseph Pera of Round Top died Friday, November 28.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Danny moved to Greene County in 1965 and quickly fell in love with its beauty and peacefulness. He opened the Cairo Bakery and then shortly went back to his first love, construction, in which he had a long career beginning with Skelly Construction Company, then the Albany South Mall Project, with Greene County Community Action and finally, Pera Construction.
He spent his retirement years doing what he loved most, spending time with family and friends, and building a retirement homestead in Round Top.
He was an active member of the Milan Seniors.
Surviving are his life partner of 12 years, Lee Lo Grasso; son and daughter-in-law Nick and Margaret Pera of Alexandria, VA; daughters and sons-in-law Nannette (Pera) and Steve Hutto of Tyler, TX, and Chris (Pera) and Maurice Weaver of Oakton, VA; niece and nephew Adrienne and John Gatti of Acra; sister Phyllis D’Annunzio of the Bronx; grandchildren Nicholas Pera, and Preston and Anna Hutton; Lee’s children Stephen, Vinnie, Anthony and Nancy LoGrasso of Staten Island; and Lee’s grandchildren, Danielle, Stephen Jr. and JoLie LoGrasso.
Danny was predeceased by his parents, Grace and Nicholas Pera; his brothers, Jimmy, Tony and George Pera; infant daughter Diane Pera; and his former wife, Nettie Pera, who died on September 10, 2004.
Burial was in the Round Top Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Town of Cairo Ambulance Squad, P.O. Box 728, Cairo 12413.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.
December 11, 2008
MARGARET HANNON
Born in Ireland
Margaret Hannon, 78, of Cairo died Monday, December 1 at St. Peter’s Hospice, Albany.
She was born in Tubercurry County, Sligo, Ireland, on August 12, 1930, the daughter of the later Patrick and Mary Walsh.
Survivors include her sons, David and wife Maureen, and James Hannon, all of Riverdale, Patrick and wife Barbara, and Edward Hannon, all of Cairo, and Daniel Hannon of Manhattan; her sisters, Ellie and Nancy, both of Ireland; five grandchildren, David, Michael, Brian, Christopher and Christine; and two great-grandchildren.
Beside her parents and husband Edmond, a son, Thomas, predeceased her.
Burial was in the Greenville Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.