OBITS: Post-Star 26 Sep 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 Arlt, Paul T. RYE, near Yonkers -- Painter and political cartoonist Paul T. Arlt, whose work was exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum and galleries nationwide, has died. He was 91. The New York City native died Tuesday at his suburban New York home, his daughter, Ronay Arlt Menschel, said Friday. Arlt was a skilled watercolorist who often depicted Washington landmarks and political life in the nation's capital, where he lived for several decades. His acclaimed satirical pen-and-ink drawings of political figures and committee hearings on Capitol Hill included one with a pack of large senators overshadowing a diminutive witness testifying before the group. "He was always interested in politics," said Menschel. "He had a good sense of humor which was never cynical, but which showed an understanding of people in politics." Arlt's work was displayed in museums and galleries across the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the City of New York, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Phillips Memorial Gallery and the Art Institute of Chicago. He graduated from Colgate University in 1933 and studied painting at the Greenwich House, an art school in Greenwich Village. He moved to Washington, continuing his studies at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. In 1940, the U.S. Treasury Department commissioned him to paint a mural at the post office in the small town of Enterprise, Ala.; it now hangs in the Enterprise Public Library. Arlt served in the Marine Corps during World War II as a combat artist who accompanied troops to the front line in the Pacific theater, recording the events in drawings and paintings. He received the Purple Heart for a shrapnel injury. In the 1950s he was an editorial cartoonist for the New York Herald Tribune. He retired to devote more time to painting in Washington. NASA commissioned him to do paintings and drawings at the Gemini space launch at Cape Kennedy and various tracking stations nationwide. His NASA artwork is at the Kennedy Space Center and the National Air and Space Museum. He and his wife of 65 years, MacClaire, returned to New York in 2001 to be near their daughter. In addition to them, Arlt is survived by three grandchildren. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Bond, Thomas Ross LOS ANGELES -- Thomas Ross Bond, who played Butch the bully in the "Our Gang" and "The Little Rascals" serials of the 1930s, has died. He was 79. Bond died Saturday of complications from heart disease at Northridge Hospital, said his manager, Frank Marks. Bond played a member of the Gang named Tommy. After his first year he was dropped from the cast but returned later in the role of Butch, the archenemy of Alfalfa. Bond appeared in dozens of "Our Gang" and "Little Rascals" features before outgrowing the role. Born Sept. 16, 1926 in Dallas, Bond got his start at the age of 5 when a talent scout for Hal Roach studios approached him as he was leaving a movie theater with his mother. The scout "asked him if he'd be interested in acting, (said) he had a great face and he could set up an appointment with Hal Roach in L.A.," Marks said. His grandmother drove him in what, at the time, was a rugged journey: "It was all dirt roads from Dallas to L.A," Marks said. In the 1940s, Bond played Jimmy Olsen in two Superman movies and appeared as Joey Pepper in several installments of the "Five Little Peppers" serial. In 1951, Bond quit acting and went into television directing and production work before retiring in 1991. Bond is survived by his wife, Pauline, son Thomas Ross Bond III and a grandson. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Crank, Joe SALEM - Joe Crank, beloved husband of Catherine Werner Crank, died Thursday evening, Sept. 22, 2005, at his residence following a long illness. Joe was born Dec. 1, 1924, in La Union, N.M., the son of the late Paul and Dovie Mae Crank. Joe served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. During the war, he spent most of his time on a minesweeper in the Pacific. After resigning from the Navy, Joe spent his years in college as a very talented athlete on both the football and track teams. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tulsa and a master's from the University of Maine. In El Paso, Texas, he coached football and taught social studies. In 1967, he moved with his family to Salem, and began teaching in Cambridge, N.Y. Although he was born and raised in the desert climate, he really enjoyed the beauty of upstate New York, and the company and friends he made here. Joe frequently entertained family and friends with a wide variety of stories and usually managed to perform a magic trick for children. Joe loved politics, current events, history, antique tools, woodworking, Mexican food and admired Winston Churchill. Joe was noted for his strength, his wit, his courage, his generosity, and his love of knowledge. Joe was well-loved and will not be forgotten. In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by six children: John Crank and his wife, Patti Gregor, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Joe Crank of Las Vegas, Nev., Helen Morris and her husband, Raymond, of South Glens Falls, David Crank of Port Orchard, Wash., Mary Warner and her husband, Charles, of Cedar Town, Ga., Ivan Crank of Glens Falls; and his two stepdaughters, Gretchen Ingraham of Bennington, Vt., and Rebecca Ertel of Salem. Joe's grandchildren are: Jason and Raymond Rapp, David and Susan Crank, Chad, Michael, Samuel, and Joseph Warner, Gwen Roderick, Heather McNulty, Katrina and Joseph Dugan. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Hogan and her family of Hudson Falls, Virginia and her husband, Herb, of Rochester, Minn., his brother-in-law, Richard Werner and his wife, Barbara, of Marshall, Minn. A visitation will be held on Wednesday Sept. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at McClellan Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem. The family invites guests to join them at their home following the visitation. Funeral services, with military honors, will be held on Thursday Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Following the interment services, guests are invited to join the family for a luncheon at Joe's home at 87 East Broadway in Salem. Memorial contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865 or WAMC Northeast Public Radio, P.O. Box 66600, Albany, NY 12206. For directions and online guest book, please visit www.mcclellanfuneralservice.com. Published in the Post-Star from 9/25/2005 - 9/26/2005. Gerardi, Jennie CATSKILL - Jennie Gerardi, 101, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005, at Eden Park Health Center in Catskill. Born in Isnello, Sicily, on Dec. 19, 1903, she emigrated in 1911, and lived in Schenectady until 2002, when she moved to Catskill to be closer to one of her grandchildren. She had been employed at Weber Electric Co. and Cluett, Peabody & Sons prior to her marriage. Jennie had been a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Mrs. Gerardi cherished her family above all else, and was a loving and devoted sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her grandchildren: Tina Gerardi of Albany, Michele Aparicio of Perrysburg, Ohio, Marie AhKao and her husband, Rick, of Belleville, Mich., Joe Gerardi and his wife, Laurel, of Queensbury, Mike Gerardi Jr. and his wife, Mary, F Gilbert, Ariz., and Janine Rundell and her husband, Kevin, of Coxsackie; her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Catherine Calantone of Schenectady; sisters-in-law, Martha Calantone of Shreveport, La., and Annie Morelli of Schenectady survive her as well as eight cherished great-grandchildren. Her father and mother, Guiseppe and Maria Calantone; husband, Joseph Gerardi; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Joanne Gerardi of Schenectady; and three brothers, Nicholas Calantone of Albany, Anthony Calantone of Shreveport, La., and Sammy Calantone of Schenectady, and her sister, Rose Calantone, preceded her. Funeral services will be held at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Schenectady. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may call at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Pleasant and Ninth streets, Schenectady. Interment will immediately follow at St. John's Cemetery, Schenectady. The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff of Eden Park Health Center in Catskill for taking such loving care of our grandmother. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Foundation, 35 Colvin Ave., Albany, NY 12206 or the Eden Park Health Center Recreation Activities Fund, 154 Jefferson Heights, Catskill, NY 12414. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Moschetta, Peter A. LAKE GEORGE and FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Peter A. Moschetta, 82, of Halada Drive, Lake George, passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2005, at Glens Falls Hospital following a brief illness. Born May 28, 1923, in the Bronx, he was the son of the late Louis and Josephine Moschetta. Following his high school years, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 907th Signal Corps in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Peter began his career as the director and teacher at the Eastern School for Physicians Aids in New York City. He went on to work as a chemist with Kolmar Laboratory in Port Jarvis before retiring. He married Jean (Dann) Moschetta. The couple lived in Newfoundland, N.J. before retiring to Lake George and wintering in Florida. Besides being an avid reader, his favorite passion was cultivating bonsai trees. He was a member of the Bonsai Association. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 40 years and his sister, Susie Carlucci. Survivors include two daughters, Karan Dumont of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Elise Boschen of West Milford, N.J.; one grandson, Jon E. Boschen and his wife, Michele, of West Milford, N.J.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on the family from 12 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Alexander Funeral Home, Inc., 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Sister Linda Hogan of St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church in Warrensburg officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery, Lake George. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Oncology Unit of the Glens Falls Hospital, 102 Park St., Glens Falls, New York 12801. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Orcutt, Erma SOUTH GLENS FALLS - Erma Orcutt, 94, of Connor Drive, died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005, at her home. Arrangements are pending and under the direction of M. B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls. A full obituary will appear in Tuesday's edition of The Post-Star. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Smith, Robert Leon FORT EDWARD - Robert Leon Smith, 24, of Gates Avenue, went into the arms of the Lord on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005. Born on April 7, 1981, in Wichita, Kan., he was the son of Edward and Theresa (Smith) Cleavland. Rob attended Hudson Falls High School. On March 29, 2002, he married Jennifer Taylor at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Hudson Falls. Rob loved doing roofing and owned his own company, Northeast Roofing in Fort Edward. He attended the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, where, as a young boy, was a member of the Royal Rangers. Rob was also a Cub Scout and a former member of the South Queensbury Fire Department, where his father and brother are now members. He was a dedicated husband and a wonderful father that loved his wife and children deeply. Rob enjoyed playing with them and making them laugh. He spent many hours swimming and being outdoors with his babies. Rob enjoyed taking long trips by himself and with his wife. Rob was a very outgoing and spirited man, who never hesitated telling you exactly what he thought! He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, George and Julia Smith, and his paternal grandfather, Sargent Cleavland. Survivors include his loving wife, Jennifer Smith, of Fort Edward; his nine children: Megan Hall-Taylor of Lake George, Austin Smith of Hartford, Courtney Rock of Fort Edward, Tyler Smith of Hartford, Mackenzie Rock of Fort Edward, Destiny Smith of Argyle, Abigail Smith, Aubrey Smith and Robert Smith Jr., all of Fort Edward; his parents, Edward and Theresa Cleavland of Hudson Falls; his two sisters, Sadie Szucs and her husband, Wayne, of Bangor, Pa., and Diana Cleavland of Hudson Falls; his brother, Edward "E.J." Cleavland Jr. of Hudson Falls; his paternal grandmother, Nina Cleavland of Fort Edward; his two nephews, Connor Cleavland of Hudson Falls and Lucas Szucs of Bangor, Pa.; his niece, Shyanne Szucs, of Bangor, Pa..; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 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 Pastor William Kenna, youth minister of the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward. Friends and family are welcome to gather at the South Queensbury Firehouse on Dix Avenue after the cemetery services. The family suggests memorial donations be sent to Rob's mother, Theresa Cleavland, 322 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005. Vacchiano, William NEW YORK -- Trumpeter William Vacchiano, who never missed a performance during his 38 years with the New York Philharmonic and taught thousands of students through the Juilliard School, has died. Vacchiano, who was 93, died on Sept. 19. Vacchiano, a Portland, Maine, native, joined the philharmonic in 1935, becoming its principal trumpet player in 1942, said philharmonic spokesman Eric Latzky. The spokesman noted that Vacchiano's perfect attendance at philharmonic performances during his lengthy tenure was "extraordinary." Not only was he a legendary figure at the orchestra, he also "was one of the great trumpet teachers of the 20th century," Latzky said. During nearly seven decades at Juilliard, he taught some of the world's trumpet greats, including Wynton Marsalis and Miles Davis. Published in the Post-Star on 9/26/2005.