Obituaries

ALBANY – Thomas Christopher “Tom” Vacek, 31, of Albany, passed in his sleep on Monday, December 7, 2015.  Tom had a big heart and was always quick to lend a helping hand. A sports fan his entire life, Tom enjoyed college basketball, golf, and auto racing.  He will also be remembered for his prowess in the kitchen.

Tom is survived...

ALBANY – Rose A. Cassala, 82, of Albany, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2015, in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Rose was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Joseph DePremis and Mary Cerone DePremis.  She lived here all her life, and was employed by the Internal Revenue Service and the National Credit Union Administration.  She...

LOUDONVILLE – Virginia L. “Kip” Barr Kotecki of Loudonville, entered into eternal life with her family by her side on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Kip was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Jack Barr and Mary Kenyon Barr.  She was a graduate of the Cathedral Academy, and met and married...

ALBANY – Joseph E. Montana, 93, of Albany, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015 in Great Barrington, MA.  Mr. Montana was born in Albany, and lived in the same neighborhood all his life.  He served in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II, and was employed as a toolmaker by the Simmons Fastener Corp. for 26 years.  He then...

COLONIE – Louis A. Perretta, 44, of Colonie, passed away suddenly Nov. 16, 2015.  He is the loving and cherished son of Gloria Audi Perretta; and loving brother of Arthur Vincent Perretta.  He was an avid Steelers fan, and a superb billiards player, and a total one hundred percent animal lover.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on...

BRUNSWICK – Ernest D. “Jim” Pirman, age 86, of  Brunswick, died peaceably at home with his daughters on Monday, November 9, 2015. Born in Brooklyn he was raised in Brooklyn and the Adirondacks of NY and Bradenton FL. Jim lived most his adult life in Brunswick with his dogs Pucky, Basil, Dumper, Blackie, and Brownie; and many friends. His pride...

ALBANY – William W. Roylance, Sr., 89, of Albany, passed away at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center on Friday, November 6, 2015.  Bill was born in Saratoga Springs and raised in Cohoes.  He attended Cohoes High School, and joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in the South Pacific.  After the war he completed high school and...

ALBANY – Charlotte A. Mullen, 74, of Saratoga Springs, formerly of Albany, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Charlotte was born in  Arlington, MA, but lived in this area most of her life.  She was employed by the former W. T. Grant, Co., and also by Friendly Home Parties in Albany.  She also enjoyed playing cards...

ALBANY – Mary Florence Schofield, 93, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady, NY.  Mary was born in Montréal West, Canada, where her grandfather was mayor 20 years earlier.  In 1950, she married Frederick David Schofield, a decorated World War II fighter pilot.  Mary was employed as a draftsman by the Canadian Pacific...

ALBANY – Rose Mary Wildman, 87, of Albany, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the Capital Living Nursing & Rehab Centre in Schenectady.  Rose was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Constantino and Bella “Adele” Ferrenti Marullo.  She moved to Albany in 1946, and here she was employed by the Whitney’s, Myers, and Muhlfelder’s department stores.  Rose...

GUILDERLAND – Mary D. Griswold, 95, of Guilderland, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center.  Mary was born in Albany, the daughter of the late John J. and Margaret E. Ketzer Douglas.  She lived in the area all her life, and was a graduate of the Cathedral Academy and the Mildred Elley Business School. ...

GUILDERLAND – Joseph Patrick O’Connor, 49, of Guilderland, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, in Boston, surrounded by his family. Joe was as strong as he was unselfish, as positive as he was generous, as loving as he was loved, and Joe will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Joe leaves behind the most important thing to...

ALBANY – Joseph E. Pickett, 93, of Albany, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Eddy Heritage House.  Joe was born in Rensselaer, the eldest of six children of the late Joseph and Anna Stormier Pickett.  He moved to the Albany’s South End, living on Catharine St since 1955. He attended Philip Schuyler High School, where he ran...

ALBANY – Thomas E. Joyner, 90, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at St. Peter’s Hospital. Thomas was born in Oxford, Ohio, the son of the late Fred B. and Mae Joyner. He was raised in Miami, Ohio where he played high school football under legendary coach Weeb Ewbank who led the Baltimore Colts to NFL championships in 1958...

 

GUILDERLAND – Barbara A. Coogan, 79, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, October 25, 2015.  A lifelong resident of Guilderland, Barbara was the daughter of the late Neil D. and Anna Childs of McKownville.  Barb graduated from Guilderland High School in the late fifties and later went back to her alma...

ALBANY – On the morning of October 13, 2015, Ed passed away peacefully after a three-year battle against cancer.

Ed O’Brien was born in the City of Albany, New York on August 23, 1956.  He was the fifth child of six, third son, of Eileen E. Ruth and John (Jack) T. O’Brien, Jr.

As a toddler, Ed would sit in...

RAVENA – Patricia Ann Rafferty, 74, of Ravena, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Patricia was born in Albany, where she lived until marrying and moving to Ravena.  She was a graduate of Vincentian Institute, and was employed by New York Telephone Co. for several years, and then by the Federal Government for many years until...

GUILDERLAND – Susan Marie Macri, 55, of Guilderland, passed away after a sudden illness on Thursday, October 1, 2015.  Sue was born in Albany, and lived in the area all her life.  She was a graduate of Mercy High School, class of ’79, and attended Maria College.  She was employed for many years by the Albany County Dept. of Social...

ALBANY – Nancy A. Peters, 75, of Albany, left the love of her life, best friend of 60 years, and husband of 22 years, Fritz Peters, on Friday, September 25, 2015.  Nancy was born in Albany, and was a proud graduate of Vincentian Institute Class of 1957.  She was employed by British American Publishing.

Her seven children Kelly Stratton, Jennifer...