George K. McCarg, Jr.
March 31, 2010
ALBANY – George K. McCarg, Jr., 57, of Albany, died Monday, March 29, 2010 at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. George was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He was a graduate of Cardinal McCloskey High School, where he played basketball, and he was employed for many years by Laborers Local 190 in Albany. He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, and enjoyed visits to the Yankees spring training camps in Florida.
George is survived by his daughter Angela McCarg; his stepson Eugene Mobley; his parents George K. McCarg, Sr. and Margaret E. Padula McCarg; his sisters Marie McCarg and Karen Gebhardt (Mark); his grandchildren Nierah, Tearri, Terrance, and Euniqua; his aunts and uncle Bessie Pezzula, Lena Pioggia, and Josie and Tony Maio; his nephew and niece Alex and Kerry Gebhardt; and by several cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Clifford McCarg, and his partner Joan Heaphy.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning at 9:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home today from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202, or the All Saints Catholic Church, 1168 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Philip L. Foote
March 24, 2010
ARLINGTON, VA – Philip L. Foote, 88, formerly of Albany, died Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Arlington, VA. Mr. Foote was born in Cortland, NY, but lived most of his life in Albany. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre. After the war he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of the marching band for four years, and then a master’s degree from the College of St. Rose. For many years he led his own band, the Phil Foote Band, and was a local favorite at area school proms, country clubs and weddings. He also played for many summers at the Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing, NY on Lake George, and over the years played accompaniment for Bob Hope, Jerry Vale, Connie Francis, and Anthony Newley. He also was a music teacher at West Winfield Middle School, Lisha Kill Middle School, Colonie High School, Bishop Maginn High School, and Christian Brothers Academy. He was a communicant of the former Holy Cross Church in Albany, and Blessed Sacrament Church, Bolton Landing.
Mr. Foote was predeceased by his wife Freida B. Foote in 2005. He is survived by his daughter Mary Jo Foote Arzpaima (Saheb Arzpaima) of Fairfax, VA; his son Philip E. Foote (Katherine) of Albany; his sister Regis Crowley of Lakeland, FL; and his grandchildren Dina and Philip Arzpaima, and P. Michael Foote. He was predeceased by his brother Bradley Foote.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Saturday 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 Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the CBA Music Parents & Friends Association, 12 Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12205. The family would like to thank the staff of the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center of Alexandria, VA, and Dr. Amy Nobu and her staff for the care they gave Mr. Foote, and thanks to the Old Ebbitt Grill of Washington, DC for many years of memories. 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.
Elizabeth T. “Betty” Horick
March 20, 2010
ALBANY – Elizabeth “Betty” Horick, 85, of Albany, was called to Heaven on March 18, 2010. “Aunt Betty” as many affectionally called her was born in Greenville, NC, but lived most of her life in Albany. She was employed for thirty years by Platt’s Place deli in Colonie. She was president of the Czechoslovakia Society of America for more than 30 years.
She is predeceased by her husband Edward J. Horick, Sr. She is survived by her son Edward J. Horick, Jr. of Albany; beloved brother, Herman Tripp (Ethel Mae) of Greenville, NC; her grandchildren Edward J. Horick, III (Mary Jo) of Albany, Darryl Horick (Keli) of Queensbury, Donna (Horick) Rapp of Seattle, WA, Diana (Horick) Rose of Brunswick, and Dillon Horick of Albany; and by her great-grandchildren, Christopher Horick, Jessica Horick, Michael Horick, “D.J.” Horick, Alicia Nisch, Nicholas Rose, Ashtin Rose and Jason Murray. She will also be greatly missed by her long time friend, Frances Barney and by her Goddaughter, Terry (Barney) Conway of Albany. There are many that will miss her; however, the wonderful memories of her unselfish love, her wonderful recipes and generous heart will never be forgotten. Her beautiful blue eyes, smile and the loved she shared with us will live in our hearts forever. She will always be an angel among us.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at Mater Christi Church, Hurst Ave., Albany on Saturday, March 27th at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are invited. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit: www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Albert F. Grogan
March 20, 2010
ALBANY- Albert Frederick Grogan, 70, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. He was born April 18, 1939 and was the son of Albert and Cecelia (Bryfonski) Grogan. A lifelong resident of Albany, he was a graduate of the Vincentian Institute. He served in the US Air Force from 1958-1962. He graduated from Russell Sage College and was employed by the VA Hospital in Albany until his retirement.
He is survived by his children Deborah A. (Robert) Miller of N. Blenheim, NY and a son Thomas A. Grogan and Mary Marks of Juneau, Alaska, his grandchildren, Airman Recruit Cody Grogan USN. and Claire, Lillian and Katherine Miller, a brother James and his wife Judith Grogan, of Pataskala, OH and 3 nieces and 2 nephews. Albert is also survived by his lifelong friend and former wife Dawne R. Guidry of Scotia, NY.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the All Saints Church, Homestead Street, Albany, on Friday March 19 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Albany. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in memory of Albert to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 5 Computer Drive West, Suite 100, Albany, NY 12205
Virginia “Jinny” Femia
March 12, 2010
ALBANY – Virginia Lee “Jinny” Femia, 80, of Guilderland, died Thursday, March 11, 2010 in St. Peter’s Hospital. Jinny was born in Albany, the daughter of Harold L. Randall and Bertha Lee St. Onge Randall. She was employed for many years by the NYS Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, a job that she loved. She was very active in many associations, as President of the School 27 PTA, a Girl Scout volunteer, a member of the Bucci-McTague Post Auxillary, and a member of the Watervliet Senior Center and Choir. She enjoyed spending summers at Warners Lake, and throughout the years her warmth and affection made her home a special place for all. She was a best friend to all. To her family, she was both your biggest cheerleader and most honest critic.
Jinny is survived by her children Gail Meehan (Bill), Denise Strothers, John C. Femia (Jana), Rick Femia (Shawn); her brother John Randall (Avis); her sister June R. Gaynor; her grandchildren Amy Savoie (Dave), Chris Witko (Rebecca), Jill Meehan, Chris Nicholas, Brett Strothers (Christine), Evan Strothers (Nikki), Elizabeth and Nicholas Femia, and Michael, Matthew, Jessica and Laura Femia. Her former husband John Femia predeceased her.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Monday morning at 10:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 3-7 p.m. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Albany. In keeping with her giving and liberal spirit, donations in her memory may be made to the Food Pantry For the Capital District, 23 Essex St., Albany, NY 12206; or to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Ruth M. Russell
March 11, 2010
SLINGERLANDS – Ruth M. Russell, 93, of Slingerlands, died Thursday, March 11, 2010 at her home. Mrs. Russell was the daughter of the late Henry A. and Estella M. Meyer. Born in Selkirk, she attended elementary school in what is now the Bethlehem Historical Association. She graduated from Coeymans High School and Albany Business College. She pursued a career in tax accounting and auditing for many years while living in Santa Barbara, CA. She and her late husband Roger were married in Bakersfield, CA, and lived the next several years in Germany. While in Germany Ruth was a volunteer with the American Red Cross at the Army General Hospital in Landstuhl. She and her husband returned to the US to live in Virginia, where Roger retired from the military.
Returning to the Albany area in 1963, Ruth became active in the Albany Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary for many years, and served on the auxiliary board for many years. While there, she acted as Officer of the Day for the Red Cross Bloodmobile whenever they came to the hospital. She became a charter member of the Bethlehem Historical Association. She also joined the Bethlehem Seniors, the Sunshine Seniors and the Guilderland AARP. She was a supporting member of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Five Rivers Environmental Center, the New York State Museum and other organizations concerned with the performing arts and the environment.
Ruth and Roger traveled extensively to western Europe, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Panama, Hawaii and every state and Canadian Province.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Roger L. Russell in 2005. She is survived by her beloved step-children Sally Russell Malik of Slingerlands, Linda Russell Maguire of Schenectady, and Ronald Edward Russell of Colorado Springs, CO; six dear grandchildren Saleem, Zaheer, and Saira Malik, Sarah and Amy Maguire, and Nathan Edward Russell; her cousins Janet Vine of Delmar, Harold A. Vine of Belfast, ME, and Carol Jean Kennedy of Newhall, CA; two special nieces Teri Russell and Patricia Cunningham both of Indianapolis, IN, four great grandchildren Aryanna, Kayla, Felicia and Leon; and dear cousins Margarete LaMar and Ruth Allenspach.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours today from 5-7 p.m. at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany. Graveside services will be held in the Elmwood Cemetery, Route 9W, Glenmont at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Joseph A. Kravalis
March 10, 2010
ALBANY – Joseph A. Kravalis, 91, of Albany died Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the Albany County Nursing Home. Mr. Kravalis was born in Latvia, but had lived in the United States since 1951. He was employed by the Tobin Packing Co. in West Albany for a time, and later operated his own construction firm, Joseph A. Kravalis Home Builder. He was a communicant of the former Holy Cross Church in Albany, and a member of the Latvian American Club.
Mr. Kravalis was predeceased by his wife Anela Kravalis, and his daughter Hedija Kravalis-Norris. He is survived by his son John Kravalis (Zinaida Rukmane) of Guilderland; his son in law William Norris of Maryland; his grandchildren Maija and Camille Norris, Guna Green (Scot), Dana Zilvere (Jurgis); and his great grandchildren Elizabete Green and Dina Zilvere.
Calling hours will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday from 4-6 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be in the Latvian Memorial Park Cemetery, Tannersville at a later date. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Christopher Benfield
March 3, 2010
HUDSON – Christopher Benfield, 49, formerly of Hudson, more recently residing between England and Sacandaga Lake, died Monday, February 15th 2010 at Albany Medical Center. Born in North Yorkshire, England he was the son of the late Thomas H. and Alice Oakley Benfield. He grew up in the North of England, moving to the USA following his graduation from York University attaining a Degree in Psychology and marriage to a US Citizen in the early 1980’s. Divorce followed and he eventually moved to the Hudson area, spending time working in a care facility for adolescents, and later changing vocational direction to concentrating on carpentry and the construction industry. He also undertook research relating to internet security, gaining recognition from Microsoft for his works and publishing internet tutorials which are still current and in use today.
Chris was passionate about life, having survived a usually fatal attack resulting from Marfan’s Syndrome. Following this, he spent much of his time at his camp near Sacandaga Lake, fuelling his passion for motor bikes, boats and fishing, whilst still working. His mantra was ‘Never a Dull Moment’ and he lived by that to the letter.
In 2006, he re-found his childhood sweetheart and spent his time between the UK and the States, finally getting married in February 2008.
Chris leaves behind his loving wife Pamela; his step-children Christopher James Roberts and Jessica May Roberts; his son Christopher Thomas Benfield; his mother Alice Oakley Townsend and brother David Benfield of the UK; and many friends.
It was his wish that his body be left for the furtherance of Medical Science and potentially increase the knowledge of Marfan’s Syndrome. There will be a Memorial gathering later in the spring, by Sacandaga Lake, details yet to be finalized, those wishing to attend may contact Pam via the Hans Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given online to the National Marfan Foundation via the following address: http://www.firstgiving.com/pambenfield . For more information about what the foundation does, visit their website: www.marfan.org .