Obituaries
from the
Greenville Press
March 2007
Transcribed by Sylvia Hasenkopf
Obituaries provided by April Saccoccio
March 1, 2007
Eleanor Jacob
Homemaker
Eleanor Jacob, 80, of Potter Hollow, died Monday, February 26 at St., Peter’s Hospital in Albany.
She was born in New York City July 1, 1926, the daughter of the late Herman and Elsie Gronwaldt.
She was a lifelong homemaker.
Surviving are two sons, Arthur Jacob (Rosalie) of Union City, NJ, Douglas Jacob (Donna) of Earlton; two daughters, Lorraine Dowdall (James) of Middleburgh and Kathleen Albertson (Charles) of Hensonville; a brother, Richard Presedo of Florida; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Her husband, David Jacob Sr., and her son, David Jacob jr., predeceased her.
Funeral services are Friday, March 2 at 8pm from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville. Calling precedes services from 2 to 8pm.
Spring interment is in the Potter Hollow Cemetery.
March 8, 2007
Ann K. Maikis
Crossing Guard
Ann K. Maikis, 90, of Durham, died Sunday, March 4, at her residence in Fishkill.
She was born May 6, 1916 in the Bronx, the daughter of the late William and Mae (Higgins) Ford.
Ann was a communicant of Our Lady of Knock Roman Catholic Church in Durham and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary in Durham.
While living in New Hyde Park, Ann was employed as a crossing guard for the Nassau County Police Department. She had lived in Durham since 1975.
Surviving are two daughters, Anne Bracken of Stormville and Denise Young of Natick, MA; three sons, Rudolph Maikis and wife Barbara of Yuma, AZ; Richard Maikis and wife Rosemary of Huntington, Long Island, and Kevin Maikis and wife Debbie of Gilbert, AZ; a brother, Arthur Ford of Islip; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the widow of Rudolph Maikis, who predeceased her on January 15, 1999.
A Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated today, March 8, at 10am at St. Columba Church, Hopewell Junction.
Spring interment takes place in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Route 145, East Durham, 12422, or to Hospice Inc., 74 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie 12601.
March 8, 2007
John Stempel, Jr.
“Mr. Fix It”
John S. Stempel, Jr., 89, of Greenville, formerly of East Berne, died at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn on Thursday, March 1.
He was born in Newark, NJ, January 8, 1918, the son of the late John and Teriza Stempel.
John had a dairy farm and was employed by the Berne Highway Department for 37 years, retiring in 1989. He was elected highway superintendent for Berne.
He was a member of the East Berne Fire Company for 25 years.
He and his wife traveled in their motor home and spent the winter months in Florida. He loved to work in his garage and was known as “Mr. Fix It” and enjoyed working on small engines.
Surviving are his wife, Mamie (Weis) Stempel; five children, Dorothy Fisher (Doug), Mary Stempel, Robert Stempel (Audra), Virginia Krug (Robert) and Sheri Cucuruto (Lance); his stepchildren, Shirley Bryan (William), Arlene Lutz (William), Vicki Palmer (John), Lori Manning (Jerry) and Randolph Mahne (Michelle); two brothers, Rudolph and Patrick Stempel; five grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister, Veronica Stempel.
Graveside services take place in the spring in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the Potter Hollow Union Church, PO Box 576, Preston Hollow 12469, or the East Berne Volunteer Fire Company.
Arrangements were with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 8, 2007
Edward Usher
Retired teacher
Edward Usher, 81, of Westerlo, died at St. Peter’s Hospital on Wednesday, February 28.
An Army veteran, he was a history teacher who retired in 1983 from Greenville Central School.
Surviving are his wife, Gloria (Sibek) Usher, a daughter, Margaret Usher; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Jusino.
A memorial Mass takes place at St. John the Baptist Church, Greenville, on Thursday, March 15 at 3pm.
Interment will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 8, 2007
George Zimzores
National Guard member
George P. Zimzores, 76, of Round Top, died Friday, March 2 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson, where he had been a patient since February 26.
Born February 21, 1931 in New York City, he was the son of the late Peter and Eva Zazakos Zimsores.
He was a former member of the New York State National Guard.
An area resident since 1993, he was a lifetime member of the Round Top Fire Co. and a member of the Catskill Elks Lodge No. 1341.
He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 55 years, Janet F. Birtner Zimzores of Round Top; three daughters and a son-in-law, Laura Zimzores of Woodstock, Diana and Robert Gutierrez of Long Island and Maria Harrow of the Bronx; a brother, Bill Zimzores of Texas; a sister, Dora Asadoorian of Westchester County; and four grandchildren, Michael, Kristina, Jesse and Jake.
Private cremation took place at the Albany Rural Crematory, Menands.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were with Richards Funeral Home, Cairo.
March 15, 2007
Barbara A. List
Executive Secretary
Barbara Ann List, 63, of Earlton, died at her home with her family by her side on Monday, March 12.
She was born in Manhattan on September 10, 1943, the daughter of the late Eino and Lempi (Juntunen) Tyvela, and moved to State Island when a year old.
She attended Public School #3 in Staten Island and upon graduation from the eighth grade in 1957, she won the Peace Prize for her essay on world peace/ Graduating from Tottenville High School on Staten Island in 1961, she won the CookingAward and graduated the following year from Claremont Secretarial School In Manhattan.
She worked 11 years at Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co., a marine casualty insurance company on Wall Street, as the executive secretary to the treasurer of the company.
In 1987 she moved to Eastham, MA, where she and her husband owned and operated Nauset Haven, a nine-unit cottage complex on Minister Pond, also working part time at the child care center at their church. Selling that business after 12 years, she and her husband started a woodworking business that they operated for five years before retiring and moving to Earlton to be near their daughter and grandson.
She loved to garden, sew and read when not doing volunteer work in the communities she lived in. For many years she was a Sunday school teacher and secretary for the Sunday school. She and her husband had just become members of the United Methodist Church of Greenville and Norton Hill.
She married Clinton Bruce List in 1966. They had one daughter, Jennifer Anne. In 2006 she and her husband celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
In addition to her husband and daughter, her grandson Adam and her sister Maria Basinski of Denville, NJ, survive her.
A memorial service takes place at a later date. Those who desire may contribute in her memory to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 15, 2007
Blanche Gerard
Teachers aide
Blanche Gerard, 81, of East Berne, formerly of Medusa, died peacefully on Sunday, March 11 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn with her family by her side.
She was born in Brooklyn on September 25, 1925, the daughter of the late Demetri and Sara (Inzalaco) Albano, one of 14 children.
She had worked at Greenville Central School as a teacher’s aide from 1972 to 1981.
Blanche loved cooking for her family, playing Acey Ducey with her husband and children, and visiting and talking with her sisters.
Surviving are three sons, Gary Gerard of Albany, Dennis Gerard (Sandra) of Franklin, MA, and Timothy Gerard (Ellen) of East Berne; three sisters, Yolanda Crudo, Lilly Watkins and Gloria Allen; her granddaughter “daughter” Kim Marano (Vincent); grandchildren Greg, Dominic, Heather, Bryan, Stephen and Victoria; great-grandchildren Marcus and Laura Holloway; and several nieces and nephews.
Her husband, William Gerard, Jr., son William Gerard, daughter Laura Ackerman, and brothers-in-law Vince Crudo and George Allen predeceased her.
There are no calling hours and services are at the convenience of the family. Interment is in the Saratoga National Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 15, 2007
Agnes Kruzensk
”Ice cream lady”
Agnes V. Kruzensk, 88, of Greenville, died Monday, March 12 at Kaaterskill Health Care Center in Catskill.
She was born in Brooklyn, November 14, 1918, the daughter of the late Edward and Cecile (Laboda) McGrath.
Agnes worked as a telephone operation for the Equitable Life Insurance Co. in Great Neck, Long Island, prior to her retirement in 1973.
She was one of the founders of the Levittown Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. She worked in the Greenville Central cafeteria until she retired in 1993 and was known as “the ice cream lady.”
Surviving are her husband of 67 years, August L. Murzneck of Greenville; a daughter, Mary Lindlau and husband Roy of Greenville; a granddaughter, Mary Koelmel of Greenville; two grandsons, Roy Lindlau and wife Penny of Star, NC, and Joseph Lindlau and fiancée Jen Ballenger of Cincinnati, OH; and three great-grandchildren, Michelle and Wally Koelmel of Greenville, and Jeremy Lindlau of Springhill, FL.
Funeral services are today, March 15, at 10:30am from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at St. John the Baptist Church.
Interment is in the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.
Those who wish may contribute in Agnes’ memory to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
March 15, 2007
John Mulqueen
NYPD sergeant
John J. Mulqueen, 83,of Greenville, died at the Hospice in Albany on Tuesday, March 13.
He was born in the Bronx on March 24, 1923, the son of the late Michael and Irene (Fordes) Mulqueen.
John served in the Army Air Corps during World War II in Normandy, North France and the Rhineland, and received the EAME Service Medal, Air Medal and Victory Medal. He was discharged as a technical sergeant in 1945.
John retired from the New York Police Department in 1984 as a sergeant.
He was a member of the Greenville American Legion Post #291, the Tri-Town Memorial Post #7229, the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Center in East Durham and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was very active at St. John the Baptist Church and enjoyed driving people in need to their various appointments.
Surviving are three daughters, Joyce Imbrogno (Louis), Margaret Samoyedny (William) and Eileen Burns (Jim); a son-in-law, Thomas Melella; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his two wives, Margaret (Crossen) Mulqueen and Zita Helane “Kitty” (Byrne) Mulqueen; daughter Barbara Melella, granddaughter Erin Burns and siblings Michael, Mary, Irene, Pegy and Bernard.
Funeral services are Friday, March 16 at 8:30am from Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9am at St. John the Baptist Church.
Friends may call at the funeral home today, March 15, form 3 to 5 and 7 to 9pm.
Interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Yonkers.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, 12205.
March 22, 2007
Philip Stewart
Farmer, deputy
Philip Stewart, 92, of Westerlo, died at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany on Monday, March 19.
He was born in Albany March 1, 1915, the son of the late Clinton and Lottie (Sherman) Stewart.
A longtime farmer on the family farm (now the Boone farm) until a farm accident caused him to retire from farming, he joined the Albany County Sheriff’s Department and served as a deputy sheriff for 19 years.
He was lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo, serving it well in several positions.
Surviving are his daughter, JoAnn Garry; grandsons Robert and Steven Garry; and great-grandchildren Hannah and Eve Garry.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dellite (Mackey) Stewart, and a sister, Rita Stewart.
A memorial service takes place Friday, March 23 at 7pam at the First Baptist Church of Westerlo.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Westerlo, PO Box 130, Westerlo 12193, or to the Westerlo Rescue Squad, PO Box 12, Westerlo 12193.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 22, 2007
Michael Hynes
K of C member
Michael Hynes, 85, of Greenville, died suddenly at the home of his daughter in Mahopac on Monday, March 19.
He was born in Creggane, County Galway, Ireland, on May 5, 1921, the son of the late William and Catherine (Morgan) Hynes.
He was a retired grocery clerk manager, having worked for the A&P Food Stores in the Bronx.
He was a member of Our Lady of Knock Council Knights of Columbus and the Greenville Irish American Club.
Surviving are a daughter, Mary Kress (John) of Mahopac; a son, Michael p. Hynes (Ellen)of Greenwich, CT; and four grandchildren, Eric, Christopher and John Patrick Hynes and Allison Kress.
Funeral services are Friday, March 23 at 8:30am from Cunningham Funeral Home, Home, 4989 Route 81, Greenville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9am at St. John the Baptist Church.
Friends may call at the funeral home today, March 22, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9pm.
Burial is in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne.
March 29, 2007
Charlotte Garrison
Memorial service set
Charlotte Mae Schermerhorn Garrison, 85, died Sunday, March 25.
Born April 1, 1921 in Gilboa, she was the daughter of the late Lillian Rogers and Grant L. Schermerhorn Sr.
Survivors include her daughters, Winifred Castle (Sandy) of Vero Beach, FL, and Karol Garrison Lucce (Brian) of Schenectady; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Grant and Nelva Schermerhorn Jr. of Pennsville, NJ, and Robert and Dee Schermerhorn of Cobleskill; a sister, Ernestine Bier of Acra; five grandchildren and their spouses, Joseph and Eileen Dees, Herbert and Michelle Smith, Robert and Becky Smith, Sheryl and George Henderson and Beth and Carl Foster; nine great-grandchildren; and three great great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Russell Garrison, sisters Violet Schermerhorn and Dorothy Weaver, brothers Basil and Ronald Schermerhorn and a great-grandson predeceased her.
Cremation took place at the Albany Rural Crematorium, Menands.
A memorial service is planned Saturday, April 7 at 11am at Richards Funeral Home, Bross Street, Cairo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cairo United Methodist Church, Main Street, Cairo12413, or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, 139 South Lake Avenue, Albany 12208.
March 29, 2007
Fred Johnson
Decorated Navy veteran
Fred Johnson, 80, of Freehold, died at Albany Medical Center on Monday, March 26.
He was born in New York City April 27, 1926, the son of the late Frederick and Molly (McDonald) Johnson.
He served his country during World War II in the US Navy and received the American Theater Medal, the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. Fred was a retired New York City fireman.
He loved boxing and swimming in the ocean whenever he could.
Surviving are his wife, Ilse (Urban) Johnson; sons Peter Johnson (Debra) and Fred Johnson (Natalie); daughters Cheryl Maylo (Richard) and Susan Terpak (Richard); eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A memorial service to which all friends and relatives are invited takes place Saturday, March 31 at 11am at the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church.
Those who desire may contribute in his memory to the American Cancer Society or a cancer research group of your choice.
Arrangements are with Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.
March 29, 2007
Franz Szemlewski
Mechanic, welder
Franz (Frank) Szemlewski, 81, of Preston Hollow, died at his home on Sunday, March 25.
He was born in Duisburg, Germany, October 9, 1925, the son of the late Johann and Elisabeth (Starros) Szemlewski.
Frank was employed as a mechanic and welder by Precision Valve in Yonkers until his retirement in 1983. Following his retirement, he and his family moved from Rockland County to Preston Hollow.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Erika (Ebert) Szemlewski; his daughter, Maria wood and husband Bud of Oak Hill; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Maiorano (Lenny Brennan) and family of Oak Hill; a grandson, Robert B. Richter (Lily) and family of Oyster Bay; two great-grandchildren, Kevin and Rosemary; and a nephew, Karl Heinz Buschfield of Germany.
A memorial service to celebrate Frank’s life will be at the family’s convenience in late April.
Those who wish may contribute in Frank’s memory to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany 12205, or to the Rensselaerville Rescue Squad.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cunningham Funeral home, Greenville.