Author: Saratoga TODAY

The Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the NYS Military Museum are teaming up for a special networking event at the New York State Military Museum.

The Mixer at the Museum is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 at the New York State Military Museum, located at 61 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs and is open to all who support the military and veterans.

Admission is free for Veterans and Active-Duty Military personnel and pay what you wish for others with a $10 suggested donation to support the mission of the Veterans Business Council to foster business connections and career opportunities within the local veteran community. Proceeds from the event’s cash bar will benefit the Friends of the NYS Military Museum, an organization that helps to support the care, preservation and interpretation of the Military History Collection of the State of New York.

“The Veterans Business Council is thrilled to partner with the Friends of the NYS Military Museum on this event, where we will be raising funds for both veteran career and education initiatives and the preservation of our important New York State military history,” said Joe Juracka, Chair of the Veterans Business Council.

“The Friends of the New York State Military Museum are honored to co-host the ‘Mixer at the Museum’ event,” said Mark O’Rourke, President of the Board of Trustees for the Friends of the New York State Military Museum. “We are immensely grateful to have this opportunity to support both the respective missions of the Veterans Business Council and of the Friends – Proudly Preserving the Military History of New York State.”

The event offers a unique opportunity to explore world-class military memorabilia while connecting with fellow veterans, active military members, and supporters. This mixer provides a great chance to network in a meaningful setting surrounded by New York State’s rich military heritage.

Attendees will have access to the museum’s collection while enjoying refreshments and connecting with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to supporting the veterans and military community.

Advance registration is requested. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/vbcmixer2025.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Patricia A. Hodge, 78, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, creativity, and dedication. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 5, 1947, she spent her early childhood in Merrick, Long Island, where her family settled when she was very young. Patricia thrived in the Merrick Public Schools, graduating from S.H. Calhoon High School in 1965, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego in 1969. At Oswego, she found lifelong friendships and a sense of sisterhood when she joined the Phi Lambda Phi sorority, and in 1967 she met Tom Hodge, who would become her husband and partner in life and business.

After college, Patricia began her career as an elementary school teacher in Ballston Spa, where her patience and creativity inspired countless young students. In April 1970, she married Tom, and together they embarked on entrepreneurial ventures that showcased her exceptional talent for communication and strategy. She launched a public relations firm focused on real estate, and Patricia later served as Marketing Communications Manager at Delmar Publishers, elevating the company’s brand and outreach. In the early 1980s, she founded Summit Marketing in Saratoga Springs, building a thriving advertising and marketing agency that she led with vision and integrity until her retirement in 2008.

Outside of work, Patricia was happiest on the slopes or the water. She embraced winter with spirited ski trips to the mountains and spent summers boating. She adored her dogs, who were constant companions on her adventures, and her home was a haven for friends and family who gathered to share her generosity and laughter.

Patricia’s influence endures in the students she taught, the clients she guided, and the community she enriched. She is survived by her husband, Tom Hodge, her brother Hank Casazza and his wife Bette, and a wide circle of sorority sisters, former colleagues, and friends who will forever cherish her memory. Her life was a testament to passion, perseverance, and the joy of connection, and those who knew her will carry her spirit forward in everything they do.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025, at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY (518-584-5373).

Burial will be private.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

BALLSTON LAKE – A long road home, Philip G. Liska finished his journey on September 13, 2025. He was reunited with his father, exchanging the breath of life for eternal peace. Services will be held at a later date.  Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

GLENS FALLS – Ernest Suttle III, passed away September 12, 2025.  Calling hours were September 18 at Compassionate Funeral Care.  A celebration of Ernest’s life will be held on Saturday, September 20 at Crandall Park in Glens Falls from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

WILTON – Gary Masten passed away peacefully after a long illness on September 11, 2025, just days shy of his 84th birthday.  A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at Malta Ridge Methodist Church, Malta, NY on Saturday September 20, at 11 a.m. Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

BALLSTON SPA – Craig Allen Tunwall was born February 12, 1955, in Iowa. He passed September 13, 2025. Memorials may be made to Saratoga Springs Public Library, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.  A memorial service may be held at a future date.  Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

KINGSBURY – Norma O. Saville passed away September 12, 2025.  Calling hours will be held September 26, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Vantage Point Church, 543 Ridge Road, Queensbury, NY.  A Memorial Service will be held the following day, September 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Robert Gratton, 78, passed away Monday, September 15, 2025. Calling hours are 1 – 4 p.m., Sunday, September 21, at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, September 22, at the Church of St. Peter. Burial will be private. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.