Mark R. Ryan
January 17, 2010
ALBANY – Mark R. Ryan, 52, of Albany, died Saturday, December 26, 2009. Mr. Ryan was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He was a graduate of Albany High School. He was predeceased by his parents Robert E. Ryan and Joan Barbara “Bunny” Coyne Ryan. He is survived by his aunts Sonia Goodspeed of Guilderland, Jean Hickman (Fred) of West Terre Haute, IN; his uncle Jerry Eddy of Terre Haute, IN; and by several cousins. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Russell L. Zindle
January 13, 2010
SLINGERLANDS – Russell L. Zindle, 62, of Slingerlands, died Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at his home. Mr. Zindle was born in Albany, and lived in Slingerlands all his life. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war, and he worked as an electrician for many years, operating Excelsior Electric. He was a member of the Guilderlands Elks #2480, the Joseph E. Zaloga American Legion post #1520, and the IBEW Local 236. He loved automobiles, and restored a 1959 Corvette. He also enjoyed motorcycles and traveled to Laconia Motorcycle Week. He loved spending time at his camp on the Sacandaga, boating, fishing, hunting from his hunting camp, traveling to the Florida Keys, Aruba and Hawaii, and reading and attending concerts. All these activities were enjoyed with a great many of his dear friends who were like his family.
Mr. Zindle is survived by his beloved daughter Jennifer M. Zindle of Slingerlands, and by his canine companion Roxy the Puggle. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Patricia E. Franze, and by his parents Russell and Lucy Sileo Zindle.
Calling hours will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Saturday afternoon from 12-4 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be held privately at a later date. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a memorial card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Stanley Niemiec
January 11, 2010
ALBANY – Stanley Niemiec, 92, of Albany, died Monday, January 11, 2010 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. Mr. Niemiec was born in Glenville, CT, and was employed by the Electrolux Corp. for 36 years. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, both in stateside hospitals and as part of a malaria survey unit in Calcutta. “Grandpa” taught us to appreciate human progress as well as life’s simple pleasures, to look for humor in everything, to be a good neighbor to everyone, to have faith, to always want to learn more, and most importantly, to love your family and enjoy every moment of life.
Mr. Niemiec is survived by his wife of 67 years, the love of his life, Sophie Pilitowski Niemiec; his daughters Mary Thomas (Bruce) of Holly Springs, NC, and Theresa Ewell of Albany; his grandchildren Scott Thomas (Heather), Keith Thomas, Catherine Ewell (Matthew Barton), and Michael Ewell (Arielle); and by his great grandchildren Trenton Thomas and Elijah Ewell, all of whom he loved and cherished.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning at 11:30 in Mater Christi Church (formerly St. Catherine of Siena Church), Hurst Ave., Albany. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Siena School, 35 Hurst Ave., Albany, NY 12208. 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.
Rev. Carl Bierman
January 8, 2010
ALBANY – Rev. Carl Bierman, 79, of Albany, died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. Rev. Bierman was born in Hannover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1935. He was raised in the Bronx, attended Columbia University, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York. He then earned a Masters of Divinity from the Harvard Divinity School. He served for many years as a Unitarian minister at churches in Kennebunk, ME, Trenton, NJ, Washington Crossing, NJ, Springfield, MO, and Woodstock, VT. He oversaw the construction of the churches in Washington Crossing, NJ, and Springfield, MO. He also taught in the religion department of Missouri State University at Springfield, MO, was a member of the Torch Club of Trenton, NJ, and was active in the civil rights movement, traveling to Montgomery, AL, and to Martin Luther King’s march on Washington, DC.
Rev. Bierman is survived by his wife Dolores Hart Bierman; his daughters Natalie Opitz (Charlie) of Springfield, MO, Daphne McKinney of Yucaipa, CA, and Sally Diggins (Patrick) of Hoover, AL; his son Andrew Bierman (Jill) of Albany; and his grandchildren Marcus, Tara, Nicholas and Matthew Opitz, Malcolm, Alec and David McKinney, Patrick Diggins, IV, Zachary and Henry Diggins, and Katherine and Nathan Bierman.
Funeral services were held privately at the convenience of the family, with interment in Albany Rural Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Rose C. Catizone
January 6, 2010
ALBANY – Rose C. Catizone, 101, of Albany, died Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home in Albany. Miss Catizone was born in Albany and lived here all her life. She was employed for many years by the Preston’s Pastry Shop in Albany, and was a communicant of the former Holy Cross Church in Albany for over 30 years.
Miss Catizone is survived by her sister Angeline DeLorenzo of Albany; her nephew Charles Catizone; and her nieces Marie DeLorenzo, Catherine Dickson, and Carmella Gavin. She was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Catherine Catizone; by her brothers and sisters Ralph Catizone, Elizabeth Carpenter, and Vincent, Mary and Anthony Catizone; and by her niece and nephews Joseph Catizone, Thomas Carpenter, Catherine Tedesco, and Joseph and Ralph Catizone.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday morning at 9:30, and from there to Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany at 10:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. 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.
Alma O. Heisey
January 6, 2010
GUILDERLAND – Alma O. Heisey, 85, of Guilderland, formerly of Ridgewood, NJ, died Sunday, January 3, 2010 at her home. Mrs. Heisey was born in Manhattan, and lived in New York and Ridgewood, NJ for many years until moving to Guilderland two years ago. She was employed for many years by Exxon Oil Corp. in New York, retiring as secretary to the president. She also volunteered at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, and was a communicant of St. Luke’s Church in Ridgewood.
Mrs. Heisey was predeceased by her husband Burnell F. Heisey in 1973. She is survived by her sister Ruth Delamater (Mark) of Guilderland; several nieces and nephews including locally Carol Young (Carl) of Guilderland, Susanne Witkop (Jerry) of North Bethlehem, Maryann Ten Eyck of Niskayuna, and Linda Ferrante of East Greenbush; and several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Charles and James Olsen.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday morning at 8:15, and from there to Christ the King Church, Sumter Ave., Guilderland, at 9:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Thursday from 4-7 p.m. The parish family of Christ the King Church will gather at 4:30 pm for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. The family would like to thank the staff and the residents at Atria Guilderland for their care and friendship. 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.
Elaine V. Bailey
January 4, 2010
VOORHEESVILLE – On Thursday, December 31, 2009, Elaine V. Price Bailey, 64, also known as “Aunt Elaine” was called into Heaven by the Angels of God while surrounded by her loving family after a short battle with lung cancer. Elaine was born to the late Grace and William Price of Manhattan. She shared many years of marriage and friendship with her husband Dennis Bailey, they enjoyed traveling especially to the ocean, which brought them to live in Myrtle Beach, SC from 2008 to the present. Prior to moving in 2008 she resided in Albany and Guilderland, NY. She owned and operated her own beauty salon from her home, as well as worked as a switchboard operator for Answerphone. Elaine volunteered for many years at the Community Gardens at Farnsworth Middle School with many of her friends from Heritage Village where she resided for many years before moving south. Elaine was a very religious woman, she nurtured, loved and treated everyone she met like they were the most special person in the world. She never judged anyone. If you needed a place to stay she opened her door, if you needed a meal she fed you and if you needed a hug she loved you. She will be greatly missed by many from here and afar.
Elaine is survived by her only son Al Dillenbeck of Voorheesville to whom she devoted her life. She loved and enjoyed being a part of caring for her twin granddaughters, Alli Elaine and Alexa Elizabeth Dillenbeck who were her pride and joy. She shared a very special relationship with her “daughter in law” Jill Conley. Elaine was very close to her sisters, Patricia Cross of Voorheesville, Grace Putnam of Altamont, Gaye Sagar and Maureen Price of Albany, and her brother Richard Price of Altamont. Aside from her undying devotion to her family which includes many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, she is also survived by her stepdaughters and their husbands Debra and Daniel Holser of Averill Park, Donna and Allen Gould of Wynantskill, Denise and Frank Zibura of Greenville, Dawn and Tim Doherty of East Greenbush and 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Elaine was a very loyal friend to everyone she came in contact with, especially Mary Valenti and Shirley Smith who were like sisters to her, and Lenny her feline angel until her death.
The entire family would like to express their deep appreciation to the St Peter’s Community Hospice for their exceptional care that was give to Elaine. The family would also like to give a special thank you to Judy and Shirley for keeping her comfortable and dignified. Services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home prior to the service on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions be made in her memory to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., 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.
Rita Gecewicz
January 3, 2010
ALBANY – Rita Gecewicz, 85, of McKownville, died Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the Teresian House. Mrs. Gecewicz was born in the Bronx, but lived in Albany since 1946. She was an active member of Christ the King Church and also founded the Arbor Hill Lassie League, a girls softball league, serving as the first president of the league and as a team manager. Beginning in the 1960s, she was employed by Whitney’s Dept. Store, and then by the Mechanics Exchange Savings Bank. She was a member of the McKownville Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary and bowling team, and in retirement enjoyed traveling throughout the country with her husband Stan.
Mrs. Gecewicz is survived by her husband of 63 years, Stanley F. Gecewicz; her daughter Rosemary Frazier of Delmar; her son Michael Gecewicz (Barbara Frankel) of Albany; her grandchildren Thomas Frazier, Jr. (Jill), James Frazier (Kim), Marie Webb (Robert Spain), Laurie Haertel (Mike), Kerry Gecewicz (Scott Baggott), and Justin Gecewicz (Natalie); and by eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two brothers and four sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Infant of Prague Chapel of the Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, Wednesday morning at 11:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany on Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Teresian House Memorial Fund, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.