Saratoga Springs — Surrounded by his loving family, Richard Swantek, 89, peacefully passed away April 25, 2021 after a richly fulfilled life.
Memorial donations: Leukemia Society (P.O. Box 22445, New York, NY 10087-2445, www.lls.org) or Community Hospice of Saratoga (179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, www.communityhospice.org). Services were private.
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Greenfield Center — Augustine Perrino, 96, passed away on the morning of Sunday, April 25, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Calling hours were Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Burke funeral home followed by a funeral home service and burial in Greenfield Cemetery.
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South Glens Falls — Louis J. Alonzo, 90, passed away at home on February 21, 2021. Graveside services with military honors will be 2 p.m. Thursday May 6, 2021 at GBH Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs.
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BALLSTON SPA — Kenneth Murdie, 89, our loving husband and father, passed away on March 8, 2021.
Kenneth was born June 20, 1931 in Ogdensburg, NY to his parents William and Bertha Duvall Murdie. Ken married Joanne Mary Ramsey April 4, 1994.
Ken loved the outdoors with a passion towards farming and gardening. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Always with a smile and joke. Always a helping hand to anyone in need.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, 16 siblings, sons, Kenny and John Murdie, grandson Michael Murdie. He is survived by his wife Joanne. Also, he is survived by his former wife Patricia Murdie Hansen and children Vickie (Jeff) Snyder, Kenny Murdie (Dorie), Debra (Ken) Ballard, Kevin (Laura) Murdie, Tim (Patricia) Murdie, Lisha (Dave Blake) Flinton, John Murdie, Robert Murdie, Billy Murdie, Pam Murdie. Grandchildren Pete Burns, Sheila Yuncker, Richard Burns, Jeanette Murdie, Michael Murdie, Jennifer Moore, Tim Moore, Kevin Murdie, Jr., Sheryl Murdie, Tim Murdie, Patty Wipple, Steve Flinton, Jesse Flinton, Cheyanne Murdie, Jeffrey Murdie, Chris Murdie, Renee Murdie, Jacob Murdie, Justin Murdie, Jessica Murdie, Phoenix Murdie. He is also survived by many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
BALLSTON LAKE — Peter Enn Ratsep, Sr., 85, passed away at his home on April 13, 2021. Service will be held privately for the family. Burial will be in Greenridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs.
Visit Peter’s Book of Memories at TownleyWheelerFH.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — James D. Monaco died, Thursday April 16 at home. He was 94 years old. Jim and his wife Cecelia owned and operated Valley Acres Garden Center. A private burial will be held at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave., Saratoga Springs.
Online remembrance may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — James Edward Donohoe, 79 (b. January 31, 1942), beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully after a short illness on Friday, April 16, 2021. Calling hours were April 22, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home, services are private. Memorial donations to St. Jude’s Research Hospital. burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joseph Michael Abbruzzese, 78, resident of Saratoga Springs for over 30 years and current resident of Ballston Spa, passed April 6, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Services were private. Memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
CORINTH — William R. Jeske, 78, passed away at his home on Friday, April 2, 2021. Calling hours were Thursday April 8, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home. Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Gainesville Elks Lodge 990, 2424 NW 23rd Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Philip Harrison Diamond passed away March 20, 2021, after almost 4 years of a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Born January 17, 1936 to the late Estelle and Irving Diamond, he grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
After graduating college, Phil served in the Coast Guard eventually earning Lieutenant Commander status. He also held a helicopter pilot’s license and continued to serve in the reserves teaching navigation and firefighting.
After initially working for Citigroup in Manhattan, Phil moved to Baltimore in 1966 to work for The Rouse Company with his first wife Marion (nee Schwartz). They had two sons, Mark Randall in 1963, and Craig Bentley in 1969.
While at The Rouse Company, Phil served as one of the original planners of the city of Columbia, MD and has his name inscribed at the base of a statue in the city center. Phil went on to work for the Veterans Administration for 30 years until his retirement. Phil eventually moved to Washington, DC, and later to Alexandria, VA with his second wife, Stella.
Retiring to Saratoga Springs with Stella, Phil immediately embraced being a local in many ways, contributing through SCORE, the Saratoga Hospital Board, the City Taxi Commission, the City State Authority, and the City Democratic Committee. If one asked, one got, and then some.
Ever the explorer and bon vivant, Phil loved to travel, café life at Uncommon Grounds, his Thoroughly Thoughtful book club, and many other social interactions. A self-described “foodie” he was an enthusiastic regular at local restaurants, and never met an anchovy he didn’t like.
Phil was a character, and an eternal optimist. He maintained friendships from kindergarten with lifelong pals Jerry, Zev, and Spencer.
Phil was predeceased by his parents, Irving and Estelle (nee Kirschner), his sister Loraine Fishkind, son Mark Randall Diamond and wife Stella (nee Drebitko).
Phil is survived by his son Craig Diamond, daughter in-law Amy Diamond, granddaughters Allison and Megan Diamond, life partner of most of the last decade Pamela Lonergan, and many friends.
A service was held at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on March 25.
Special thanks to Dr. Edward Liebers, Dr. Tao, Community Hospice and their caring compassionate staffs.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
