Author: Saratoga TODAY

MECHANICVILLE  — Scott James DeCelle, better known to some as “Diesel,” passed away on the evening of March 10, 2021 surrounded by his family. Scott fought a long and difficult battle with cancer and was always grateful for the overpowering amount of love, support, and generosity he received from his family and friends. He was 57.

A graduate of Mechanicville High School, Scott was a member of the varsity wrestling team. He later went on to graduate from Hudson Valley Community College before beginning a career in performance materials with Bruno Machinery in Troy and later G.E. and Momentive Performance Materials in Waterford. 

Scott was a very easy-going person. He was always in a good mood and always smiling. He put others before himself and loved making everyone smile and laugh. Scott looked forward to dressing up like Santa Claus for his family and friends’ kids each holiday season. Actually, he loved Christmas so much he would keep his house decorated all year. He liked the Miami Dolphins, but loved baseball, and cherished his trips to Shea Stadium and then Citi Field to watch the Mets. He was a diehard fan. Scott also loved to golf and liked to brag to his nephews about his two holes-in-one. For some reason he collected Longaberger baskets. He loved a good puzzle. Scott was also famous from when he “told his story” to Steve Carell in 2001 when Comedy Central visited Mechanicville (video available at burkefuneralhome.com). He loved to cook, especially grilling and he made a delicious pasta salad. 

He is predeceased by his father, Frederick R. DeCelle, Sr. and many aunts and uncles.

Scott is survived by his mother, Madeline Volpe Marinello, siblings; Daniel J. (Debra) DeCelle, Frederick R. (Renee) DeCelle, Jr., Trisha Ann (John) Izzo, David John DeCelle (Trina Carlton), Nicholas J. (Nicole) DeCelle, and step-mother Anne DeCelle. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews; Allison (Eric) Connors, Stephanie (Eric) Nelson, Maria (Cecil) Lane, Amelia and Nicole Izzo, Avery and Addison DeCelle, Nicholas D. (Meredith) DeCelle, and Samuel (Liana) DeCelle, 7 great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family all of whom were important to Scott.

Calling hours were 3/15/2021 at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 3/16/2021 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church (St. Paul’s), 121 N. Main St, Mechanicville by the Rev. Thomas Morrette. The Mass is available to view: burkefuneralhome.com. 

Burial followed at the family plot in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Mechanicville-Stillwater Wrestling Booster Club, 56 Brickyard Road, Mechanicville, NY 12118.

Scott’s family would like to thank Dr. Edward Liebers and the staff at Saratoga Oncology/Hematology, Dr. Alex Frank, Dr. Jonathan Canete, the Community Hospice of Saratoga, and the many friends that have cared so much for him.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — William (Bill) Gaylord Crawshaw died peacefully in his sleep March 14, 2021. A “May-basket baby,” he was born May 1, 1935, in Syracuse, and adopted six months later by Thomas Hill and Mary Gaylord Crawshaw in Glens Falls. He attended Glens Falls schools and Bates College. During service in the United States Army, with Russian language training at the Army Language School in Monterrey, California, he was based in Alaska on St. Lawrence Island. He loved Alaska and came back with many stories. He finished college courses at the University of Maine and worked for a time near Boston in the printing field. 

He married Helen Bogle, a children’s librarian in 1966. After the birth of their first daughter, Catherine, Bill decided to become a librarian. A master’s degree at the State University of New York at Albany led him to twenty-four years as a reference librarian at the Crandall Library in Glens Falls, where he became Head of Reference. When he retired, he and his wife sold secondhand books under the name Book in Hand.

Bill was a family man, proud of his daughters. He enjoyed many family activities, including photography, Halloween costume creation, listening to Prairie Home Companion on Saturday nights, shared meals, landscaping an extensive yard and garden, and bringing in the winter wood supply each year. Bill loved experimenting in the kitchen and was renowned for his creative sandwiches and delicious scones. An avid reader, he especially loved mysteries. He loved to travel and had many memorable adventures. Once his grandchildren were born, California trips were added to the shared memories. Bill belonged to the Glens Falls Lions Club for about forty years. Friends and family will always remember with love his gentle but irreverent “punny” sense of humor and his tremendous kindness and willingness to help others. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Helen, his daughter Catherine (Cricket) Crawshaw and her children, Faye and William Johnson of Berkeley, California, and by his daughter, Abigail Crawshaw, and her husband, Frank Fletcher, of Philadelphia. At age 84, he was able to reunite with his birth family, which provided him with great happiness. He is also survived by four members of that family. 

A memorial will be held this summer when gathering becomes safer.

In lieu of flowers, well-wishers may make a donation to Crandall Library or to SAIL (Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center) in his memory. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 13 Gates Ave., Schuylerville.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Paul Samuel Parobeck died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Monday, March 8, 2021 at his home. Memorial donations may be made to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, the ECOC (Ecumenical Center of Chatauqua), or the Alzheimer’s Association. Visit burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joseph N. Braim, 87, of Saratoga Springs passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021 alongside his loving family. Due to COVID restrictions, services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Wesley Community Foundation, 131 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com