Author: Saratoga TODAY

Saratoga Springs, NY — Richard Paul Varley Passed away on February 12, 2025, at the age of 84 at Equinox Terrace, Manchester, VT.  Born in Thomson, NY on March 17, 1940, he was the youngest of 4 children born to the late Dorothy Lang Brooks Varley and George Varley.

Richard, with the consent of his parents, joined the Army at age 17 with his brother, Thomas Varley. They both auditioned as buglers for the Army Band and were accepted and stationed at West Point where they both served for 3 years. His parents then bought him a used piano to repair, and his passion for the instrument inspired him to attend a Piano Technician school in Pennsylvania. On completion of the program, he moved to Saratoga Springs to start his new business and became known as “Dick Varley the Piano Tuner”.

He honed his craft and grew into one of the most respected piano technicians in the area. Richard became the concert tuner for SPAC when it opened in 1966 and worked there for over 50 years. He became the concert tuner at the Egg in Albany, and he tuned for the entire music department at Skidmore College. He also had many private customers in and around the Saratoga County area, many of whom became his close friends. 

Armed with a witty joke or pun, Richard would banter with the stagehands at SPAC, the professors at Skidmore, the members of the Racing City Chorus where he sang barbershop on Tuesday nights, or with his ballroom dance friends on weekends away with his wife, Donna Bird. He was also an avid piano player and songwriter. Richard was extremely social and made friends everywhere he went. His positive outlook and personable nature were always welcome at any social gathering. 

Richard is the beloved father of, and is survived by, Scott Varley (wife, Amra) and Kristin Pirie (husband, Lain); grandfather, of Sloan and Julian Pirie and Amelia Domazet, and husband and partner of Donna Bird. He is also survived by beloved stepchildren, grandchildren, several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.  Richard is predeceased by his sisters, Sue Brooks Garnsey (Zene) and Clara Brooks Charron (Art) and his brother, Thomas Varley (Candace).

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to VNA and Hospice of the Southwest Region, VT https://www.vermontvisitingnurses.org or to The Saratoga Performing Arts Center https://spac.org/saratoga-performing-arts-center/support-us/donations-general-fund/

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-5373. There will be a procession and short service at 1:00 p.m.at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY, followed by a 2:30 pm celebration of life, open to all at Mama Mia’s Restaurant 185 Ballston Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY

Online remembrances can be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

BALLSTON SPA — Gerald John McNerney (Jerry), 84, died peacefully on February 17, 2025, at his home in Ballston Spa, NY after a brief illness.  Jerry was born on June 24, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to Frank and Nora (Kelly) McNerney, both immigrants from Ireland.  He had fond memories of his boyhood in Brooklyn and summers in Breezy Point, NY. 

Jerry’s proudest achievement was his family; his innate optimism, faith, and work ethic were a model for his children and grandchildren.  He loved a vigorous debate, a good game of spades, and a round of mini golf throughout his life, and generally won at all of them even into his 80s.  He and his wife Kathleen (Sutton) McNerney celebrated 60 years of marriage in September. 

After graduating from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, Jerry apprenticed at Swift & Co. becoming a skilled butcher. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years at Ft. Belvoir in Alexandria, VA.  After leaving Brooklyn in 1967, Jerry and his wife first settled in Manchester Center, Vermont where they opened and operated Sutton’s Guest House while he also worked two jobs to support his growing family.  In 1970, he found his true home in Ballston Spa, NY and built an enviable life.

He was a member of the Meat Cutters Union and spent 30 years managing meat departments in A&P, Grand Union, and Shop Rite grocery stores.  He then opened a one-man contracting business putting his handyman skills to work for many years in Saratoga County.  Jerry was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s parish, and active in the community throughout his life, volunteering with a community food bank, St. Mary’s School and Saratoga Catholic High School, as a Boy Scout leader, a youth baseball coach, and member of the Knights of Columbus.  

Jerry is survived by his wife Kathleen; his children Gerald (Maureen) McNerney of Rockville Centre, NY, Patricia McNerney of Washington, DC, Christopher (Erin) McNerney of Matthews, NC, Andrea (Jeff) Wilk of Hopkinton, MA, Dennis (Michelle) McNerney of Orangeburg, NY, and James McNerney of Albany, NY; his grandchildren Ryan, Grace, Mae, Annie, Bridget, Maura, Sebastian, and Scarlett; his siblings Marion Murray, Andrew McNerney, and Kathleen Coady; and many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his parents Frank and Nora McNerney; his siblings Nora Keenan, Anna Windels, Frank McNerney, and Gloria McNerney. 

Calling hours will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High St., Ballston Spa. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26 at St. Mary’s Church, Milton Ave., Ballston Spa. 

Valuing the importance of education to the end and inspired by his granddaughter’s medical studies, Jerry donated his body to the anatomical donation program at Albany Medical College.  His family is grateful for the kind and skilled caregivers from Community Hospice who helped realize his wish to be at home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s School (https://smsbsn.betterworld.org/campaigns/st-marys-school-online-giving-pl). 

Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com

QUEENSBURY — Joyce L. Sumner passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025. She was born on June 22, 1937, in Fort Ann, NY. She was the daughter of the late George and Blanche Burch.  Graveside service will take place in the spring at the Union Cemetery.  For condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

BALLSTON SPA — Kenneth L. Wurster passed away on February 8, 2025.  Kenneth was the son of Harry Wurster and Brenda Williams.  At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service at this time.  For condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com