Obituaries

ALBANY – Helen M. Casey, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2017, after a brief illness.  Helen was born and raised in Watervliet, New York, the daughter of the late William A. and Catherine Mahar McDermott.  She graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1945 and attended The College of St. Rose.  Helen worked for the New York Telephone Company,...

ALBANY – George F. McKittrick, 89, and his wife Estelle M. Baker McKittrick, 87, passed away suddenly within an hour of each other after being stricken at their home on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

George was born in Glens Falls and lived in Comstock for a time until moving to Albany.  He was a graduate of Albany High School and...

ALBANY – Kimberly L. Helm Thomas, 49, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Guilderland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at St. Peter’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  Kim was born in Albany, and lived here all her life until moving to Naples, Florida two years ago.  She was a graduate of Guilderland High School and Utica College,...

ALBANY – Irene E. Mack Riley, 83, of Albany, passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Teresian House.  Irene was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Raymond Mack and Catherine Taggart Mack.  She lived here all her life, and was a graduate of Cathedral Academy, and attended Siena College.  She was employed by AT&T as an office...

GUILDERLAND – Linda C. Mastro of Guilderland peacefully embraced the angels on her birthday, Wednesday, March 29, 2017, after an infinite, hopeless and relentless struggle with MSA. MSA is an extremely rare incurable progressive neurological disease that strikes only 3 out of every 100,000 people. To the bitter end as always, Linda displayed grace and dignity as she valiantly fought...

GUILDERLAND – Robert Leo LaFave, Sr., 76, of Guilderland, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center.  Bob was born in Albany, and lived in the area all his life.  He was employed for many years by the Albany Country Club, and then by Laborers’ Local 190.  Bob enjoyed hunting and horses, but mostly...

ALBANY – Eleanor C. DeRusso, 99, of Albany, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at the Teresian House.  Eleanor was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Joseph A. DeRusso and Mary L. Cahill DeRusso.  She was employed for thirty years by the Huyck Felt Co. in Rensselaer as a Senior Payroll Clerk. Eleanor enjoyed traveling and trips...

GUILDERLAND – Margaret M. Compisi, 92, of Guilderland, died Sunday, March 19, 2017 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Margaret was born in Albany, and lived in the area all her life.  She was well known for her sewing and craft making skills.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Vito Compisi.  She is survived by...

GUILDERLAND – John E. Kinisky (Jack) of Guilderland died on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, after a long illness. Born in Troy on August 27, 1927 he was the son of Dorothy M. Baker and James P. Kinisky. He lived his early years in Rensselaer and attended St. John’s Catholic High School. He joined the US Navy after graduation and served...

ALBANY – Elaine E. Smith entered into eternal peace March 18, 2017. Born in Lynbrook, NY May 11, 1921, Elaine most recently was a resident at Teresian House Nursing Home since 2010. Married in 1945 to Martin C. Smith, she resided in East Rockaway, Long Island until moving to   Delmar in 1967.

Dignified and modest throughout her long life, Elaine...

GUILDERLAND – Alan J. Domaracki, 67, of Guilderland, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017.  Alan was born in Buffalo, and studied at the University at Albany, where he earned his doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences.  He was employed until his retirement by the New York State Public Service Commission.  In retirement, he was employed part time by the New York State...

COLONIE – Charles M. Mendel, Sr., 60, of Colonie, passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2017, with his son by his side, after a brief illness.  Chuck was born in Albany, and lived in the area all his life.

Chuck is survived by his pride and joy, his son Charles M. Mendel, Jr., and by a large and loving extended...

GREENFIELD CENTER – Richard Dechants was called upon to join his parents after a brief illness surrounded by his family. Born on October 14, 1932, he was the only child of Angelo and Mary (Parente) Dechants. A US Navy Veteran, he served aboard the USS General George M Randall during the Korean War. He retired from General Electric after a...

RENSSELAERVILLE – Robert Lawrence Bolte, 73 passed away peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side on Sunday, March 5, 2017.  Bob was born on August 14, 1943 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin to the late Alma and Thomas Bolte.  He joined the US Navy in 1961 where he served on the USS Boxer until 1966. His rank was...

East Dorset, VT – Charles M. Stewart, 75, died at Albany Medical Center, on February 26, due to head trauma incurred from an accidental fall. A resident of East Dorset, VT, he is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Scott (Daniela) Dorset, VT and Todd (Amber), Boulder, CO; a sister Bonnie Boyd, Norwood, NY, three grandchildren, Timothy, Benjamin, and Emily...

ALBANY – Raymond J. Steede, Jr., 68, of Albany, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Albany Memorial Hospital with his sister and brother-in-law by his side.  During his final days, Ray was always surrounded by his loving family.  Ray was born in Albany, the son of the late Raymond J. Steede, Sr. and Regina A. Ryan Steede.  He was...

GLENVILLE – Barbara Glenn Leva, 82, of Glenville NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday February 22, 2017. Mom, Nana, Friend, always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.

ALBANY – Lucy T. McCall of Albany, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Lucy was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Frank Campione and Frances Pazienza Campione.  She lived in the area all her life, graduating from St. John’s High School in Albany’s South End.  She was employed as...

ALBANY – Edward G. O’Brien, 81, of North Albany passed away at home on Friday, February 17, 2017.  Edward was born in Cohoes on March 20, 1935 and was the son of the late Adele Potyrala O’Brien and Edward O’Brien.  He served in the US Navy and retired from the NYS Department of Labor.  He was a devout communicant of...