OBITS: Post-Star 22 Mar 2005; Glen Falls, Warren co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** 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 Darrah Sr., Gilbert W. Queensbury -- Gilbert W. Darrah Sr., 78, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Born on July 5, 1926, in Cadyville, N.Y., he was the son of the late Gilbert and Margurite (Dutton) Darrah. Gilbert was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving in World War II and Korean Conflict. He was a life member of the B.P.O.E. 81 Glens Falls, and a member of the VFW in New Paltz. Gilbert loved to bowl, play golf, and go fishing. His parents and his sister, Hazel Decker, predeceased him. Gilbert is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ida M. (Stark) Darrah of Queensbury; his children, Gilbert Darrah Jr. and his wife, Lynne, of Plattekill, N.Y., Stephen Darrah and his wife, Blen, of Plattekill, N.Y., Christine Schwartz of Ghent, N.Y., Donna Schwenk of Tillson, N.Y., and Dennis Darrah of Crystal River, Fla. His brothers, Kenneth Darrah of Danbury, Conn., Robert Darrah, and Lawerence Darrah, both of Cadyville, N.Y.; and his two sisters, Flora Collins of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Jean Tamer of Cadyville, N.Y.; along with 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, also survive him. A funeral service will be held today, March 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Regan and Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury. Burial will follow at Pine View Cemetery, Queensbury. Calling hours were held Monday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Published in the Post-Star from 3/20/2005 - 3/22/2005. Garuccio, Virginia Anne "Ginnie" QUEENSBURY -- Virginia "Ginnie" Anne Garuccio, 57, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. Born on June 13, 1947, in Rockville Centre, Long Island, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Harry Weintraub and Virginia Bates Smolen. Virginia was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Garden City, The Berkeley School and she attended SUNY at New Paltz. Ginnie was a woman who loved her family dearly. She was a kind, loving mother, sister, daughter, grandma and friend. Ginnie was an energetic, charismatic person. She enjoyed the hotel business and was director of sales at the Sheraton Hotel and the Queensbury Hotel. Ginnie also worked at the Hyde Museum, for Dr. Jung and Associates, and was a member of the Glens Falls Insurance Professional Associates. She was president and vice president of the Voorheesville Community Club and was a member of the Toastmasters International. She was selected as volunteer of the year for her work with the Crisis Hotline. Ginnie loved animals, especially her dogs, Jessie and Emmi, and her cat, Googie. Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Andrew Garuccio; a son, Christopher Garuccio of Wilmington, Del.; a daughter, Carla Garuccio and her fianc‚, Rodney Boucher, of Gansevoort; her mother, Virginia Bates Smolen; a sister, Carol Hill and her husband, Henry, of Weston, Conn.; an aunt, Marilyn Fisher and her husband, Harry, of Ashland, Ore.; three brothers-in-law and their wives, Peter and Barbara Garuccio of Scottsdale, Ariz., Charles and Roberta Garuccio of Oceanside, Long Island, and George and Linda Garuccio of Northport, Long Island; one granddaughter, Kayla Boucher, her little darling; and her nieces and nephews: Julie Garuccio, Peter Garuccio, Jennifer Connolly, Elizabeth Gordon, Peter Garuccio, Gabrielle Murray, Daria Borntrager, Audra Garuccio, Lauren Garuccio and Nicholas Garuccio. A funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, at Church of the Messiah, 290 Glen St., Glens Falls. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Family and friends are invited and may call from 4 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday. March 23, at Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury. Those who wish may send a remembrance in her name to Albany Medical Center, Neurology Department, New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. Published in the Post-Star on 3/22/2005. Holman, Robert Edward STEVENSVILLE, Pa. -- Robert Edward Holman, 60, of Stevensville, Pa., and formerly of Ticonderoga, died Saturday, March 19, 2005, at Towanda Memorial Hospital, Towanda, Pa., following a long illness. Born on Oct. 3, 1944, in Ticonderoga, he was the son of Vera (Crossman) Holman of Whitehall, and the late Robert Holman. Robert was an avid bingo and lottery player and enjoyed working on cars. Two infant sons, Leonard Steven Holman and Christopher Holman, three sisters, Barbara Dufault, Rose Hallock and Brenda Holman, and one brother, Lonnie Holman, predeceased him. Survivors besides his mother, include three daughters: Tammy Holman of Ticonderoga, Lisa Holman and Darlene Holman of Port Henry; one son, Robert Holman of Ticonderoga; one brother, Richard Holman and his wife, Debbie, of Whitehall, two sisters, Jackie Flack and her husband, Edward, of Ticonderoga, and Linda Stark of Ticonderoga. He is also survived by several grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Michael G. Angiolillo Funeral Home, 210 Broadway, Whitehall, with the Rev. C. Don Wheeler, pastor of the United Methodist Church of Whitehall, officiating Burial will take place at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, Ticonderoga. Friends are invited to call on the family at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the services. The family invites friends to join them for refreshments at their residence at 202 Broadway, Whitehall, following the services. The family suggests that memorial contributions take the form of donations to the Skenesborough Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 133, Whitehall, NY 12887. Published in the Post-Star from 3/22/2005 - 3/27/2005. Merchant, Stephen Lee BALLSTON SPA -- Stephen Lee Merchant, 76, of Lasher Road, Ballston Spa, died Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Saratoga Hospital. Born March 1, 1929, in the town of Ballston, he was the son of the late Stephen and Edith Merchant. He was a 1947 graduate of Cobleskill College. Stephen was a longtime distinguished dairy and horse farmer and the owner of the White Birch Farm in Ballston. He was a lifelong member and leader of the Saratoga County 4-H and represented Saratoga County at the National 4-H Congress. He often donated his time and horses for 4-H and Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraisers. He loved to show saddle and draft horses at several local fairs. Stephen was president of the New York State Saddle Association and New York State Palomino Breeders and also a member of the Washington and Rensselaer County Draft Horses Club. He was a past member of the Harmony Corners and Burnt Hills Fire Departments. He was a member of the Adirondack Riders Motorcycle Club and the Charlton Snowmobile Club. Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Carol Merchant; a son, Stephen H. Merchant and his wife, Gail, of Ballston Spa; a daughter, Linda Lee Boisvert and her companion, Hugh McGee, of West Haven, Vt.; three stepchildren: Geraldine D'Onofrio-Kent and her husband, Tim, of Albany, Susan D'Onofrio of Rotterdam, and Rock Canabush of Lewis, a brother, Richard Merchant and his wife, Katherine, of Ballston Spa; a sister, Shirley Geier and her husband, Charles, of North Fork, Calif. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church, 778 Charlton Road, Charlton. Burial will follow at Sweetman Cemetery in Charlton. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High St., Ballston Spa.(www.armerfuneralhome.com) Memorial contributions may be made in Stephen Lee's memory to the Saratoga County 4-H, Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Published in the Post-Star on 3/22/2005. Nelson Sr., Willard T. "Butch" QUEENSBURY -- Willard T. "Butch" Nelson Sr., 89, a former resident of Queensbury, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2005, surrounded by his loving family, at Pleasant Valley in Argyle. Born on April 20, 1915, in Troy, he was the son of Thomas Henry and Blanch Agnes (Beaudoin) Nelson. Willard was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy as a cook during World War II. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of South Glens Falls. Prior to his retirement, he worked for National Biscuit in Albany, where at one time he delivered bread by horse and wagon. Willard was an avid Yankees fan. He was also a coin collector for several years and at one time had his own shops located in Troy. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his family. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Edith Mae (WeMett) Nelson, to whom he had been married for 65 years, and a son, Robert T. Nelson. Survivors include his children, Willard Nelson II and his wife, Pat, of Florida, and Garry Nelson and wife, Shirley, of Queensbury; his grandchildren, Willard Nelson III and his wife, Anna, of Mechanicville, Timothy Nelson of Wyoming, Kelly Bramer and her husband, Frank, of Halfmoon, James Nelson of Clifton Park, Debbie Rifenburg and her husband, Warren, of Johnsonville, Lori Humphrey and her husband, Rick, of Troy, Thomas Sylvia and his wife, Debbie, of Gansevoort, Michael Sylvia and his wife, Susan, of Queensbury and Paula Slayton and husband Derek, of Queensbury; and 14 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury, with visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m., prior to the service. The Rev. Thomas Young will officiate. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Published in the Post-Star on 3/22/2005. Shaffer, Noreen Joy (Lareau) PLATTSBURGH -- Noreen Joy (Lareau) Shaffer, 58, of Plattsburgh/ Ticonderoga, passed away on Monday, March 21, 2005, at Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Vermont. She was born in Plattsburgh on Oct. 2, 1946, the daughter of Felix Leon (deceased) and Doris Mae Lareau. Noreen is survived by her five children: Shawn Shaffer, Holli (Shaffer) Frenchik and her spouse, Donald, Lisa (Shaffer) Busby and her spouse, Justin, Paul Shaffer II and his spouse, Bobbi Jo, and Christopher Shaffer. Noreen also leaves behind several grandchildren: Ryan Frenchik, Colton Frenchik, Jake Shaffer, Marianna Shaffer, and Ainsley Elizabeth Busby, to whom her heart belonged. She also leaves behind her mother, Doris Lareau; three brothers, Milo Lareau, Felix Lareau, and Leon Lareau; one sister, Darlean (Lareau) Tuller; and several nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces of whom she was very fond. Noreen is also survived by her special friend, Irven J. Fleury of Ticonderoga; and her aunt, Dorothy Rachkaitis and her family. Noreen was predeceased by her father, Felix; and her very special sisters, Marlean (Lareau) Morin and Donna Lee Lareau (Shatraw). Noreen's loving and friendly spirit will be missed by all who knew her. She will forever live in the hearts of those who loved her and in the smiles of her grandchildren. We will miss you, Mom; we will miss you, Nana. Published in the Post-Star on 3/22/2005. Simpson, Mary Huchro MINEVILLE -- Mary Huchro Simpson, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Horace Nye Nursing Home in Elizabethtown. Mary was born Aug. 12, 1909, in Mineville, the daughter of Martin and Victoria (Wilk) Huchro. She married Ralph Simpson Sr. on Aug. 20, 1937. She lived most of her adult life in Mineville, as well as several years in Warrensburg. Mary operated the Club Restaurant in Mineville for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Mineville-Witherbee Home Bureau for many years. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Church in Witherbee and St. Cecilia's Church in Warrensburg. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Simpson, who died Aug. 14, 1960, and her brothers, Paul and John Huchro. She is survived by her sons, Ralph Simpson and his wife, Lenore, of Chestertown, Frank Simpson and his wife, Jan, of Pensacola, Fla.; three brothers: Frank Huchro and his wife, Dorothy, of Keene Valley, Stanley Huchro and his wife, Dorothy, of Glens Falls, and Walter Huchro and his wife, Madeline, of Westport; three sisters: Anna Anderson of Mineville, Helen Osborne of Tempe, Ariz, and Gena Haley and her husband,George, of Port Henry; four granddaughters: two stepgranddaughters; a stepgrandson; three great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and five stepgreat-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A memorial Mass will be celebrated in April for family and friends. Burial will be later in the spring at Union Cemetery in Port Henry. Donations may be made in Mary's name to the town of Moriah Ambulance Squad, Moriah Center, NY 12961. Funeral arrangements are with Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. Published in the Post-Star on 3/22/2005. Weber, June Audrey (Pardee) LAKE GEORGE -- June Audrey (Pardee) Weber, 79, of Prospect Street, passed gently away on March 20, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital. She was born on Dec. 30, 1925, in Brooklyn. June married John Weber on Aug. 28, 1949. They lived in Glendale, Queens, where she worked for the A&P Co. for more than 31 years. June and Johnny spent many years vacationing in Lake George at the Shore Meadows Motel, owned by her close friends, Pat and Skip Saum. After Johnny died on April 24, 1981, June moved to Lake George permanently. In 1986, Robin and Bert Weber "adopted" June as "Nana" to their children, Christian, Kalyn and Makenzie. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Madeline Zeitinger of Glendale; two nephews, Joseph Zeitinger and his wife, Nadine, of Bethpage and Louis Zeitinger and his wife, Jane, of Florida; one niece, Mary Zeitinger of Bethpage; and two grandnieces, Lauren and Marissa of Bethpage. June will also be dearly missed by her many friends. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Stafford Funeral Home, Inc., 90 Montcalm St., Lake George. A reflecton service will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Queens. N.Y. Published in the Post-Star from 3/21/2005 - 3/22/2005.