OBITS: Post-Star 7 Jun 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Post-Star http://www.post-star.com Ball, Edward C. Gansevoort -- Edward C. Ball of Traver Road passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. He was 79. Born on Oct. 15, 1925, in Saratoga Springs, he was a life-long area resident and son of the late Everett W. and Alice J. (Gitsham) Ball. Ed was a 1944 graduate of Saratoga High School. A U.S. Navy veteran serving during World War II, he earned his bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University where he graduated in 1951. In May of 1952, he married his beloved wife, Audrey Petteys, and they recently celebrated 53 years together. Ed retired from Wausau Insurance Companies where he worked as a special insurance agent for more than 30 years. A member of Saratoga-Wilton Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 161, he was also a member of Bethesda Episcopal Church in Saratoga Springs. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Everett G. Ball. He is survived by his wife, Audrey (Petteys) Ball of Gansevoort; his daughter, Nancy J. Kuhl and her husband, Lawrence, of Fayetteville, N.Y.; his son, Jeffrey E. Ball and his wife, Beverly, of Hagaman, N.Y.; and four grandsons, Eric L. and Justin M. Ball and Jonathan L. and Stephen G. Kuhl. A Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2005, at Bethesda Episcopal Church, Washington Street at Broadway, Saratoga Springs, by the Rev. Thomas T. Parke, rector. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot at Greenridge Cemetery on Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373 or burkefuneralhome.com). Members of Saratoga-Wilton BPOE Lodge No. 161 will conduct services at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Bethesda Episcopal Church, 41 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Published in the Post-Star on 6/7/2005. Hoptay, Joseph E. Albany and North Creek -- Joseph E. Hoptay, 81, of Sewickley, Pa., formerly of Albany and North Creek, died on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at the Forbes Hospice Center, Oakland, Pa., after a long illness. He was born in Dixonville, Pa., on July 29, 1923, the son of Michael and Anna Lawrence Hoptay. Joseph served in the U.S. Marines during World War II and the Korean War. Following his service, he worked as a sales manager at Barton Mines in North Creek and later sold insurance in Kingston and Albany, retiring from AETNA Insurance Co. in 1985. He was a member of the Elks lodge, the VFW, American Legion and he was past chairman of the American Red Cross, Albany Chapter Blood Program. Joe married Josephine (Minder) Hoptay on Oct. 7, 1950. She passed away in 1995 after 45 years of marriage. He is survived by his son, Joseph M. Hoptay and his wife, Amy, of Sewickley, Pa.; his daughter, Linda Droege of Pownal, Vt.; granddaughters, Jessica, Claire, and Kate Hoptay, and Lisa Droege. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at Alexander Funeral Home, Inc., 4479 state Route 28, North Creek with the Rev. Peter Berg officiating. Rite of Committal will follow the service at St. James Cemetery, North Creek. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to Forbes Hospice, c/o Forbes Health Foundation, 2570 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, PA 15146-9917. Published in the Post-Star on 6/7/2005. Kosek, Sylvia Ellen WILTON -- Sylvia Ellen Kosek passed away peacefully Friday, June 3, 2005. Her late husband, Henry Kosek and parents greet her in heaven. She is survived by her sisters, Kathy Grimaldi and Thelma Russo of New London, Conn.; a son, Paul Kosek of Savannah, Ga.; a daughter, Deborah Pannetto of Gansevoort; a son, Richard Kosek of Gansevoort; a son, John Kosek of Greenfield Center; her seven grandchildren; nieces, nephews and family in England. Sylvia was born Feb. 26, 1926, in London, England, to Charles and Ellen Wheeler. She spent her youth in her home country where she experienced the bombings of London during World War II. Sylvia was evacuated to the countryside with her mother and sisters. It was during World War II that Sylvia met Henry Kosek, an American soldier. They were married in Brentwood, England, on May 6, 1944. Sylvia and Henry celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2004, just before Henry's passing. Sylvia came to the U.S. in 1946, on Her Majesty's Ship the Queen Mary with many other war brides. She and Henry settled in Brooklyn, N.Y., where they began their family. Eventually she was joined by her parents and sisters. The Kosek family moved to Rock City Falls, N.Y., in 1966. Along with raising her family, Sylvia ran a small "Dutch Kitchen" restaurant where patrons and dancers of the New York City Ballet frequented. Sylvia and her sisters were expert knitters. They were the proprietors of "Sylvia's of London," setting up shop at craft shows and taking custom orders for hand-knit sweaters and goods. Sylvia was a devoted mother, sister and wife. She loved to be surrounded by her family and friends. She spent her last few years residing at Wilton Commons Apartments in Wilton. Sylvia was truly happy there. She was grateful for the company of her wonderful friends there and loved the camaraderie of that community She especially enjoyed the social activities she frequented - particularly game nights!! Sylvia held life sacred. She had a pure heart, but never felt she should impose on others. She will be missed greatly by her family. We know she is now at peace. We love you MOM. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Wilton Emergency Squad, 1 Harran Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home of Ballston Spa. Published in the Post-Star on 6/7/2005. Tyrell, Mary L. GLENS FALLS -- Mary L. Tyrell, 70, of the Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre of Glens Falls, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, June 5, 2005. Born on Nov. 1, 1934, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Ellen (Shea) Mabb Sr. Mary graduated from Glens Falls High School. In 1974, she married John Tyrell in Glens Falls. John passed away on July 22, 1990. Mary was a nursing assistant at West Mount Health Facility in Queensbury for more than 15 years. She enjoyed Karaoke, listening to Al and Kathy Bain, playing cards, going to bingo, watching TV 8 Auctions and catalog shopping. She loved visiting with friends at the round table at The Stanton. Mary enjoyed living there and those who knew her, loved her and said she was a wonderful woman. Survivors include her caregiver and loving grandson, Daniel DeBlois and his wife, Tracy, of Hadley; her two sons, David DeBlois and his wife, Gail, of Hudson Falls and Philip DeBlois and his wife, Kathy, of Queensbury; two sisters, Beatrice Mabb and her husband, Jerry, of Hudson Falls, and Isabel Coon of South Glens Falls; two brothers, Eddy Mabb and his wife, Anne, of Glens Falls, and Gary Mabb of Glens Falls; two stepsisters, Edith Mabb and her husband, Jerome, of Hudson Falls, and Ceil Mack and her husband, William, of Fort Ann; her other grandchildren, Jason and Christopher DeBlois of Hudson Falls, Tia Price and her husband, Josh, of Virginia, Stacey Buck and her husband, Derek, of Glens Falls and Tonya Bennett and her husband, Justin, of Queensbury; her two stepgrandchildren, Dorothy Ovitt and her husband, Paul, of Queensbury, Roger Monroe Jr. of Queensbury; nine great-grandchildren; her best friend, Carol Guyette of Glens Falls; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Patricia Girard, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church of Wilton, officiating. Burial will follow at the West Glens Falls Cemetery in the town of Queensbury. Her family suggests memorials donations be made to the Estate of Mary L. Tyrell, C/O Daniel DeBlois, 53 Park Ave., Hadley, NY 12835. Published in the Post-Star on 6/7/2005.