POSTED MARCH 7, 2010   Our classmate Paul Wilson entered eternal rest on February 18, 2010.   Paul came to CCHS from Saint Patrick's in Watervliet.  Paul was a resident of Peoria, Arizonia.  A local memorial will be held in May at the family's convenience.   For condolences:  Mrs. Paul Wilson                              8441 W Tether Tri                              Peoria, AZ  85383-3640             Paul L. Wilson     Wilson, Paul L. PEORIA, Ariz. Paul L.Wilson, 61, of Peoria, died February 18, 2010. He was the husband of Janet L. (Przychodny) Wilson. Paul was born February 6, 1949 to the late Caroline (Graber) and Prentice L.Wilson of Watervliet, N.Y. Paul graduated from Catholic Central High School (1966) and Simmons School of Embalm-ing and Mortuary Science (1968) and was a licensed funeral director. He was employed for many years as a forensic assistant for the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. Paul was a member of Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). He had various deployments including September 11 and the Korean Air Crash. Paul was an avid dog lover and a member of Arizona Search Track and Rescue. He will be missed by his two dogs, Shyanne and Jenney. In addition to his wife Janet; he is survived by a sister, Carol A. Wilson; two sisters-in-law, Roseanne (William) Neuhaus, Helen (Michael) Wood; a brother-in-law, Eugene "Butch" (Teena) Przychodny; and several aunts, uncles; cousins; nieces and nephews. Local memorial services will be held in May at the family's convenience. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Arizona Humane Society, 1521 W Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041 or Arizona Search Track and Rescue, P.O. Box 5535, Peoria, AZ 85385-5535.                   POSTED FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Classmate Art Durivage's Mother passed into eternal life on  February 5, 2010. For condolences:  Arthur and Trudy Durivage                              935 Hoosick Road                              Troy, NY  12180-6634 NORTH GREENBUSH - Viola M. Dufrense Durivage, 84, beloved wife of Arthur F. Durivage Jr., died on Friday, February 5, 2010, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of Arthur and Rose Houle Dufrense. Mrs. Durivage was a graduate of Troy High School. She was a homemaker her whole life. Survivors in addition to her husband include her children Arthur F. (Trudy) Durivage III of Center Brunswick, William (Cindy) Durivage of Ballston Lake, Kathleen (David) Denisulk of Lutz, FL, and Curtis (Diane) Durivage of North Greenbush; her grandchildren Arthur IV, Jason, Scott and Matthew Durivage and Davina and Luke Denisulk; and her great-grandchildren Cecelia Durivage and Isabella Denisulk. She was predeceased by a grandson, David Denisulk; seven sisters, Margaret Ceresia, Alma Oathout, Mary Surprise, Doris Berry, Helen Bloomfield, Grace Dhooge and Martha Turner; and four brothers, Louis, Almond, Exaid and Robert Dufrense. She is also survived by many nieces and nephew. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Mrs. Durivage’s memorial Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 175 Williams Road in North Greenbush, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 9. Calling hours will be at the church from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday preceding the memorial Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Isabella R. Denisulk Trust, 18209 North 30th St., Lutz, FL, 33559, for her cancer treatment and/or the Defreestville Fire Dept, 480 North Greenbush Road, Rensselaer, NY 12144   POSTED  JANUARY 21, 2010   Classmate Edward (Teddy) Malpass's Mother passed into eternal life on January 15, 2010. For condolences:  Mr & Mrs Edward Malpass                                190 Verbeck Ave                                 Schagticoke, NY  12154-2715    TROY, NY - Olga Urzan Malpass Yarter, 81, went to her new home to be with her heavenly father on Friday, January 15, 2010. Born in Troy on April 1, 1928, she was the daughter of two wonderful parents, the late Andrew and Anna Galucka Urzan. Olga was a lifelong resident of Troy. She attended the Troy city schools and also the Troy Beauty School, where she earned her degree as a professional hair and color stylist. She was operating in many salons in the area, such as the Hollywood, Healy’s, Stanley’s Department Store beauty department, and for over 20 years she owned and operated Olga’s Beauty Salon in Troy with hair stylist and friend Paullett Wojick-Kowalchyk. Upon retirement Olga stayed at home and remained in South Troy until a few short years ago when she moved to her new home with her loving daughter Joanne Malpass. Olga loved her home, Polish music and Italian food and above all else she loved to pray to Jesus and St. Joseph. She always said try to strengthen your faith. She was known to be warm-hearted and generous and took great pride in her penmanship. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be truly missed. She will be remembered by her many friends on the boulevard and lane. Olga is survived by her loving daughter Joanne Malpass of Troy and son Edward (Pam) Malpass Jr.; grandchildren Elizabeth Malpass, John E. (Lisa) Malpass; two great-grandchildren, John Jr. and Annika, all of Enumclaw, WA, and her granddaughter Kerri Malpass of Saranac; and her former daughter-in-law Gail Malpass. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Olga was pre-deceased by her siblings Mary Barachak, Stella Kashask, John, Walter and Mike Urzan. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass to celebrate Olga’s entrance into eternal life with our heavenly Father at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 22, at St. Joseph’s Church in Troy. Anyone wishing to make contributions in Olga’s memory may send donations to the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204; or to St. Joseph’s Church, 416 Third St., Troy, NY 12180. POSTED  JANUARY 20, 2010 Classmate Lynn Feldmaier Leitten's Mother passed into eternal life on January 14, 2010. For condolences:  Mr & Mrs Brian Leitten                                3619 Joan Lane                                Port Orange,  FL  32129      View/Sign Guest Book Jane Feldmaier     Feldmaier, Jane FORT MYERS, Fla. Jane Trese Feldmaier, 81, of Fort Myers, died Thursday, January 14, 2010. She was born February 7, 1928, in Troy, N.Y. to Albert and Agnes Dunson. She was raised in Green Island, N.Y. and lived in Speigle-town, N.Y. for 30 years. She raised all of her children there and was very active vol-unteering in organizations including the Speigletown Firehouse and Home Bureau. She moved to Fort Myers in 1978, where she and her husband owned and ran ABC Small Appliance and Repair. She was very involved in the Saint Francis Catholic Church as a Eucharistic minister, in services to the elderly, as a Sunday school teacher, and in the Council of Catholic Women. She also cooked for the priests, who loved her cheesecakes. She was also active in the North Fort Myers Senior Center. She is survived by her four children, Lynn Leitten (Brian), Donald Feldmaier (Sharon), Richard Feldmaier (Margaret) and Susan Rudd (Butch); nine grandchildren, Samantha Delair (Heath), Jude Leitten (Andrew Dougherty), Erica Casey (Brendan), Brian Leitten, Steven Leitten, Donald Mulligan (Candra), Jennifer Rudd, Stefanie Herbert (Joe) and Zachary Rudd; great-grandson, Eamon Delair. She was predeceased by her parents; her husbands, Donald Mulligan and Eric Feldmaier; and her sisters, Thomasine Dunson and Anne Messier. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at the Kiser Funeral Home, 9231 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. She has gone to a place where she is surrounded by fields of beautiful flowers, so please make donations in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN www.stjude.org    Classmate Patricia Magur's Father passed into eternal life on January 17, 2010. For condolences:    Patricia Magur                                  393 Second Street                                  Troy, NY  12180-5307                  TROY, NY - Nicholas T. ‘Slick’ Magur 89, of Troy, entered into eternal life on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Troy, he was the son of the late John and Anna Michaelyshyn Magur Sr. Nicholas was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, serving in Burma and China. Upon completion of his military career he was employed with Armour-Star in Albany as a butcher until his retirement several years ago. He is survived by his children Patricia A. Magur of Troy, John J. Magur of Troy and James J. and Theresa Magur of Brunswick; grandfather of Jamie (Amy) Magur and Christian Magur, both of Troy. Brother of Julia Strock of Troy and the late John and Michael Magur and Helen Collins. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. from the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home, 336 Third St. in Troy, and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Van Rensselaer Manor and the Community Hospice of Rensselaer Co. for all their support and compassion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Church Restoration Fund, 416 Third St. Troy, NY 12180; or to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.   POSTED  JANUARY 12, 2010 Classmate Bob Dembrosky's Mother passed into eternal life on January 9, 2010. For Condolences: Mr & Mrs Robert Dembrosky 832 Contention Lane Berwyn, PA  19312-1120   Agnes Dembrosky     Dembrosky, Agnes WATERVLIET Agnes Dembrosky, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center with her loving daughter-in-law, Anne at her side. Born in Troy on January 20, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Cornelius and Ann Witkowski McCloskey and beloved wife of the late Carl Dembrosky, who preceded her in death in 2003. Agnes and her husband resided for many years in Watervliet and raised her family here. She was a wonderful homemaker and was an accomplished cook with a special flair for all types of Polish specialties which were enjoyed by all. She truly enjoyed taking rides in the car with her husband, shopping, and enjoying the Lawrence Welk program. She also had a sweet tooth for Russell Stover chocolates. In addition, Agnes was a person of faith and participated faithfully in religious services at the Eddy. Her wonderful way, her special love and devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren made her the special person she was and will be truly missed. Survivors include her cherished loving sons, Carl "Mickey" (Anne) Dembrosky of Watervliet, Robert (Susan) Dembrosky of Berwyn, Pa.; treasured grandchildren, Lindsey (Howie) Wisch of Berwyn, Pa., Michael (Melissa) Dembrosky of Latham, and Bryant (Heidi) Dembrosky of Chester Springs, Pa., four great-grand-children; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by several siblings. Funeral services were held privately at Cummings Funeral Home, 643 Third Ave., Water-vliet. Interment took place at St. Agnes Cemetery. The family would like to extend special thanks to the outstanding staff of the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center for the wonderful care, compassion and love shown to Agnes during her eleven year stay there and to the nurses of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for helping make her comfortable during her final days. Contributions in her memory would be greatly appreciated to the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center Patient Fund, 2256 Burdett Ave., Troy, NY 12180. Condolence page may be found at: cummingsfuneralhome.com     POSTED  JANUARY 7, 2010   POSTED DECEMBER 27, 2009 Classmate Fred Choppy's Father passed into eternal life on December 25, 2009. For Condolences: Mr & Mrs Fred Choppy 2146 Parkwood Drive Wall,  NJ   07719   John P. Choppy
Choppy, John P. TROY John P. Choppy, 85, of New Turnpike Rd., died on Friday, December 25, 2009 at his residence. Born in Green Island on November 30, 1924, he was the son of the late Ralph and Mary Lombardi Choppy. He was educated at the former Heatly High School. He was employed for over 40 years at the John A. Manning Paper Mill in Green Island as a machine operator until retiring in 1984. John was a communicant of St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh. John was a former member of the Green Island Italian Club, and was an avid bowler and bowled in many area leagues. He was also a member of the 25 Year Club at Manning Paper. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his wife Rita M. Bisnett Choppy whom he married on June 30, 1947, she died on November 27, 1998, and five brothers. John was the devoted father of Frederick "Fred" (Mitzie) Choppy of Wall, N.J., John F. (Patricia) Choppy of Troy and Bonnie (Garry) Brown, also of Troy; brother of Angelo Choppy of Watervliet; grandfather of Scott, Corey, Kari, Kristen, Kelly, Lindsay, Brad and Lene; great-grandfather of Emma, Shea, Ryan, Olivia and Hunter; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held on Monday at 8:30 a.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc. (Corner of 115th Street and Fourth Avenue) in Lansingburgh, thence to St. Augustine's Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., with the Rev. James T. Spenard O.S.A. as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Waterford.

POSTED DECEMBER 21, 2009 Classmate Helen Kincaid Ravalli's Mother passed into eternal life on December 19, 2009. For Condolences: Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ravalli 422 Manning Blvd Albany,  NY   12206-2109 Veronica M. Kincaid
ALBANY, NY  Veronica M. "Vicki" Nagengast Kincaid, 81, formerly of Wynantskill and Pompano Beach, Fla., died on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Julie Blair Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late John and Barbara Stehle Nagengast. She was educated at Troy P.S. School #18 and Catholic Central High School. While she was a resident of Wynantskill, Vicki was a homemaker. Vicki retired from the Broward County Court System in Pompano Beach, where she had been employed as a bailiff. She was involved in the formation of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill where she was a charter member as well as a member of the Altar Rosary Society. Devoted mother of Helen M. (Michael) Ravalli of Lake George, Patricia J. "Pat" Kincaid of East Greenbush and the late John B. Kincaid; dear sister of Genevieve (Joseph) Zampier of Sycaway and the late Marion Tansey, Frances Zampier, John, David, Edward and James Nagengast; cherished grandmother of Tricia (Gary) Bliss, Christie (Van) Fronhofer, Christopher and Jacqueline Dziuba, all of Troy; loving great-grandmother of Lila and Finnegan Fronhofer and Elizabeth Bliss; also survived by several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Morris-Stebbins-Miner & San-vidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick St., Troy followed by a funeral service beginning at 7 p.m. Interment will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205, in memory of Veronica M. Kincaid.

POSTED DECEMBER 14, 2009

 

Margaret E. Ceresia
Ceresia, Margaret E. WYNANTSKILL Margaret Elizabeth Dufrense Ceresia, age 89, beloved wife of the late George B. Ceresia Sr., died on Friday, December 11, 2009 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Mass. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Rose Houle Dufrense. She attended Troy schools and was a graduate of Troy High School. Later in life after raising her family, Mrs. Ceresia went back to school, receiving an associate's degree in business administration from HVCC. Mrs. Ceresia was a housewife and homemaker most of her life. She was a resident of Wynantskill for the past 55 years, a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Wynantskill, a member of the church's rosary altar society and a member of the Wynantskill Seniors. Survivors include her children, Margaret (John) Scarfi of Mahopac, N.Y., Hon. George B. (Penny) Ceresia Jr. of North Greenbush, Mary Grace Ceresia of Coralville, Iowa, June (Emery) Strohm of Brookville, Pa., Charles (Norma) Ceresia of Niskayuna, Richard (Karen) Ceresia and Thomas (Kathy) Ceresia, both of East Greenbush, Carol (Eric) Rosenberg of West Sand Lake, Gail (Timothy) McKenna of Lee, Mass. and Michelle Ceresia of Holliston, Mass.; a sister, Viola (Arthur) Durivage of North Greenbush; 32 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by six sisters, Alma Oathout, Mary Surprise, Doris Berry, Helen Bloomfield, Grace Dhooge and Martha Turner and four brothers, Louis, Almond, Exaid and Robert Dufrense. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The funeral will be from St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Ave., Wynantskill on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Anthony Ligato. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy. Calling hours will be at the church today from 3 to 7 p.m. Contributions to St. Jude the Apostle Church's Memorial Fund, 43 Brookside Ave., Wynantskill, NY 12198 or a charity of one's choice in memory of Mrs. Ceresia would be appreciated. Arrangements are by the Thomas S. Connolly Funeral Home in Wynantskill.

 Retiring "hero" takes a last bow.

Outgoing Shen principal Richard McDonald is praised during tribute.  by TIM O'BRIEN, TIMES UNION staff writer

First published in print: Saturday, December 12, 2009 CLIFTON PARK -- They sang. They danced. They cried. They pledged to "be nice, work hard and have fun," the mantra of the man at the center of the celebration.

Students, parents and teachers told Arongen Elementary School Principal Richard McDonald that the assembly Friday afternoon was to mark the winter solstice. When he walked in, he discovered they were instead honoring the autumn of his career.

McDonald has been principal of the school for 21 years including the 17 it has been in its current building. He has been an educator for 38. He is retiring Dec. 23.

The tribute began with a tongue-in-cheek discussion between students Chris Rudge, a fourth grader, and Matt Remes, a fifth grader. With a dictionary in hand, the two 10-year-olds discussed the meaning of the word "retire."

The possible definitions:

To go to bed?

"I don't think he's going to leave us to go to bed," Chris said.

To go to a private place?

No, not that either.

To put out in baseball, like "the pitcher retired the batter?"

"I don't think he plays baseball any more," Rudge said. "Didn't he just have his hip replaced?"

To give up work, usually because of old age?

"Now that sounds like the correct definition," Chris said.

It was part of a teasing, rousing tribute that saw faculty in white shirts and hats covered in golden glitter singing and dancing, waving golf clubs instead of canes, to a rewritten version of "New York, New York." Principal McDonald's cousin, State Sen. Roy McDonald, presented a proclamation from the state government.

Video clips showed students in McDonald's office -- he was actually out after hip surgery -- answering questions about his departure.

One student said he expected McDonald to now sit in a chair and watch TV all day, while another thought he might become a veterinarian.

Known for his superhero costumes and sweeping the cafeteria floor himself, McDonald was told his portrait would join the school's wall of fame. With 700 students, Arongen is the largest elementary school in the Shenendehowa district.

McDonald has two children including a daughter, Molly, who is a teacher at Shaketon Elementary School in the district. He said he does plan to golf, to spend time at a vacation home in North Carolina and to volunteer helping people with autism and Alzheimer's disease.

At the assembly, he had expected students to sing him a song, he said, but he never expected the hourlong-plus tribute,

"I told everybody I wanted to go quietly," he said to the assembled crowd. "What we did at Arongen, we did as a team. No one person was better than another. There are no prima donnas here."

He said he felt blessed to have his job.

"I feel very lucky," he said, choking up. "Thank you for today and for all the wonderful memories."

Students eagerly praised their principal.

"I'm sad because he's our superhero, and everyone needs a superhero," said Tyler McFarland, 10, a fifth grader.

  

 

 

 Dr Richard McDonald - CCHS Class of 1966

POSTED NOVEMBER 21, 2009