Robert P. Whalen, M.D.
December 27, 2009
ALBANY – Robert P. Whalen, M.D., 84, died on December 24 at Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital following a long illness. He was born in Newburgh, NY, April 28, 1925, son of Mary (Barclay) and William R. Whalen.
After moving to Ravena, NY, he attended Cathedral Academy in Albany and Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, MD. He enlisted in the Army in World War II and served in the Army Medical Corps overseas and at the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Boston. He graduated from Albany Medical College, class of 1951, where he served his internship and residency, and he graduated from the Harvard School of Public Health.
He was appointed Medical Director of the Albany County Department of Public Welfare, which began a long career of public service. He was subsequently appointed Albany County Commissioner of Public Welfare Department, and then as Albany County Commissioner of Health. He was recruited to the New York State Department of Health as Director of Community Health; he subsequently served in numerous positions overseeing public health, hospitals, nursing homes, and health care reimbursement, including serving as the Department’s Deputy Commissioner. Dr. Whalen was appointed by Governor Hugh L. Carey to serve as New York State Commissioner of Health from 1975-1979, where he enacted significant reforms for long-term care, health care reimbursement, and environmental health. He subsequently served as Chairman of the New York State Health Planning Commission. He also served as a board member of the National Library of Medicine and an editor of the Index Medicus, as President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, as a board member of Albany Medical Center, and as Professor of Community Health at Albany Medical College. He was a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Delta Omega Society of Public Health, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and a number of other public health, civic, church, and community organizations.
Following his retirement from state service, he served as Interim President of Albany Medical Center, and Executive Vice President of Hospital Underwriter’s Mutual Insurance Company. He was an avid reader, observer of local, state, and national politics and health policy, was a noted toastmaster and raconteur, and enjoyed telling and hearing a good joke, or leading a sing-along, usually featuring Irish songs. He was a devoted member of the choir at Avila Retirement Community.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Frangella Whalen; four sons, Dennis (Alice), Coeymans, NY, Brian (Annmarie), Carlisle, PA, Robert (Victoria), Weston, MA, and Timothy, Vancouver, Washington; a brother, William R. Whalen, Hudson, NY; and grandchildren, Emily, Philip, Daria, Meghan, Gus, Robert III, Matthew, Nicholas, and Sydney. He was predeceased by his first wife, Josephine Anne (Martino); his sister, Nancy (Phillips); and his son, Kevin.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Mater Christi Church (formerly St. Catherine of Siena Church), Hurst Ave., Albany, NY on Wednesday, December 30 at 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff of St. Peter’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and the Community Hospice. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to The Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or view or print a prayer card, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
John R. Brophy
December 23, 2009
VOORHEESVILLE – John Raymond Brophy, 54, of Voorheesville, died Tuesday, December 22, 2009 in North Carolina. John was born in Albany, and raised in Copake, NY before moving to the Capital District. He was a graduate of Columbia High School, and was employed for many years as a truck driver in Selkirk hauling new cars, and more recently for Fink Trucking of Germantown. John was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and enjoyed fishing and bow hunting.
John is survived by his father John J. Brophy of Voorheesville, his brothers Thomas Brophy of Roswell, NM, and Daniel Brophy of Watervliet; and his sisters Regina Dunn (Jim) of Colonie, and Mary Quell of Colonie; his nieces and nephew Amber Dunn, and Shaun and Jennifer Quell. He was predeceased by his mother Mary Holmes Brophy, his stepmother Ellen A. Rochford Brophy, and his brother in law John Quell.
A memorial mass will be celebrated in Christ the King Church, Sumter Ave., Guilderland, Saturday morning at 10:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and will be received by the family in the gathering space of the church after the mass. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or view or print a prayer card, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Dorothea M. Santen
December 16, 2009
ALBANY – Dorothea Margaret (Stephenson) Santen, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home, on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009. Born in Rutland, VT on June 3rd, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Nona Stephenson. Her family moved to Albany when she was a young girl, where she attended PS-4 and graduated from The Milne School. She went on to graduate from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and received a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. Dottie worked for the New York State Education Department as an archivist in the field of local public records, where she met her future husband, Vernon. Following their marriage in 1953, Dot began her most satisfying career as a homemaker and mother. She was active in the School 19 PTA and her daughters’ Girl Scout troops for many years. She was a Deacon at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (now known as New Covenant Presbyterian Church). For Dot, family always came first. She enjoyed spending time at her daughter’s camp on Schroon Lake and eagerly awaited the annual summer trip to Cape Cod. A highlight of her travels was an Alaskan Cruise taken with her extended family in 2003. Her grandchildren, Kelly and Kevin, were a continuous source of pride and delight. She watched them play in countless hockey games while growing up.
She was the widow of Vernon B. Santen, to whom she was married for 26 years until his passing in 1979. She was predeceased by her brothers, (Philip) Roger and Robert Stephenson and her sister, Eleanor Kasin. She is survived by her loving daughters, Patti Rider and her husband, David, of Glenmont; Margi Santen and her partner, Pamela Waite, of Albany; her cherished grandchildren, Kelly and Kevin Rider, her “adopted” grandson, Jonas Svensson of Sweden and by her nephews: Alan, Jay and Bruce Kasin, Kent Stephenson and her niece, Missy Curtis.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2009, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany. A service will follow at the funeral home at 11:00 am. Internment will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY, immediately following the service.
Dot made it her mission to give generously to a wide variety of charities. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in her name, to the charity of your choice. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a prayer card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Anne M. DuCharme
December 14, 2009
ALTAMONT – Anne M. LeBlanc DuCharme, 51, of Altamont, died Sunday, December 13, 2009 at her home. Anne was raised in Waterford, and graduated from St. Ann’s School and Waterford-Halfmoon High School. She was employed by the New York State Office of Real Property Services, and attended the Grace Fellowship Church. She also enjoyed collecting teddy bears.
Anne is survived by her loving husband Peter DuCharme; her daughter Amber DuCharme; her brother Larry LeBlanc (Natalie Allikso) of Brunswick; her sister Christine Hicks (Steven) of Schodack Landing; and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother Theresa Heroux LeBlanc, and her father Leo LeBlanc.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning at 10:45, and from there to Mater Christi Church, Hurst Ave., Albany at 11:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Waterford. Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Plaza, Suite 204, Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a prayer card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Zoe E. Bopp
December 12, 2009
ALBANY – Zoe E. Conley Bopp, 76, of Albany, died Friday, December 11, 2009 at St. Peter’s Hospital. Mrs. Bopp was born in Troy, and lived in the Capital District all her life. She was a graduate of Vincentian Institute. She was employed by the Academy of the Holy Names Arts Center, by St. Peter’s Hospice Home Care, and she retired from the Albany College of Pharmacy. She later worked for the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Pastoral Center.
Mrs. Bopp is survived by her loving husband of 55 years Leonard P. Bopp; her children and their spouses Cynthia McLean (Bob) of Albany, Michael Bopp (Linda) of Guilderland, Thomas Bopp (Liz) of Randolph, NJ, Judith Campisi (Daniel) of Wilton, CT, Daniel Bopp (Wendy) of Kinderhook, James Bopp (Jane) of Brunswick, and Lisa Meurs (John) of Loudonville; her sister Sr. Jeanne Conley, RSM, of Albany; twelve grandchildren, one great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Agnes Zoller, and her brothers Frank and James Conley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning at 10:00 in Mater Christi Church (formerly St. Catherine of Siena Church), Hurst Ave., Albany. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the church on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie. Those who wish may make a contribution in her memory to St. Catherine’s Center for Children, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY 12203. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family or view or print a prayer card please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Gary C. Towle
December 8, 2009
ALBANY – Gary C. Towle, 58, of Albany, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at Albany Memorial Hospital. Gary was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He attended Schenectady County Community College and SUNY Albany. He was employed by Korvette’s Dept. Store. He served as General Manager for both Big A Auto Parts and T-shirt City. Most recently, he was Sales Manager for Genuine Parts – NAPA Distribution Center in Latham. He was an avid golfer and spent many days golfing at Capital Hills at Albany. He bowled in the Keeler League of Albany for over twenty years, and loved fishing, gardening, and cooking Sunday and holiday dinners for his family. He also loved vacationing on Cape Cod with his family. Gary was actively involved in Holy Cross High School CYO basketball, Westland Hills Little League, and Central Babe Ruth. He also was a dedicated fan of the New York Giants.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Joyce J. Raciti Towle; his sons and their wives David V. Towle and Carrie Towle of Glenmont, and Daniel C. Towle and Erin Towle of Clifton Park; his sisters Susan Conroy of Missouri, Sharon Warejko of Pasadena, MD, and Eileen Gervais (Larry) of Lanesboro, MA; his grandchildren Nicholas and Emily Towle; his mother in law Mary Raciti; his sister in law Madeline Raciti; and dear friends Paula & Jim Begley. Gary was predeceased by his parents Wallace and Elaine Becker Towle.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday morning at 8:45, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church (formerly St. Margaret Mary’s Church), Homestead St., Albany at 9:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a prayer card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
The family wishes to thank the 6th Floor nursing staff at Albany Memorial Hospital for their kind and compassionate care as well as Dr Dudek, Dr Wu and the staff at NYOH.
John J. Mullen, Jr.
December 3, 2009
ALBANY – John J. Mullen Jr., 70, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the Julie Blair Nursing Home in Albany. Born in Albany, NY on January 2, 1939, John was the son of the late John J. Mullen Sr. and Clara Rifenburgh. John graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1958 and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He worked for 33 years at the NYS Department of Tax and Finance, specializing in computer programming, before retiring in 1995. John was well known for his wonderful sense of humor and he brought a smile to everyone around him. He was once very active in Pop Warner Football in Rensselaer and enjoyed fishing and collecting model trains. He also loved being around his grandchildren.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Charlotte Mullen; his children Deborah (Richard) Baker of Saratoga Springs, John (Neilene) Mullen of Delanson, and Karen (David) Bielawa of Amsterdam; his grandchildren Jordan, Daniel, Kelly, Lynne and James; and his great grandchildren Kyle and Kennedy. He was predeceased by his sister Jenne Mullen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning at 9:30 in All Saints Catholic Church (formerly St. Margaret Mary’s Church), Homestead St., Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Inurnment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rensselaer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2 Pine West Road, Albany, NY 12205; or to the National Kidney Foundation, 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or view or print a prayer card, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.