ROUND LAKE — Irene Elena Burke-Jones, 77, of Round Lake, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2021. The family wishes to celebrate Irene’s life in private. Please consider a donation to a nonprofit organization Irene was passionate about or put a pink Flamingo in your yard. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.
CHANDLER, AZ — Fanny May Woodcock Putnam, 82, of Saratoga Springs, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior the evening of February 11, 2021, in the company of her children at her winter home in Chandler, AZ.
Born in Saratoga Springs on November 3, 1938, she grew up number six out of ten children in those difficult post-depression WWII years. Learning first-hand the meaning of deprivation and rationing, she developed a near-Scroogian appreciation of the value of a dollar, which would serve her well in the pursuit of her later accounting career.
Fanny attended and graduated from Schuylerville High School, class of 1957, where she divided her attention between academics (as much as was necessary), singing in the school choir (as much as was scheduled) and traveling with her brothers to spend time dancing with the boys (as much as she could get away with).
She would meet her sweetheart, Jay Myron Putnam, in 1957 and marry him for life when she was nineteen years old in June of 1958.
Her career found her early in the accounting department at Montgomery Wards, where she served over thirty years until the company waned into oblivion, then she took her accounting skills to Saratoga County, where she served another sixteen years, retiring to travel with her husband in 2004.
While she spent much of her life as a working mother, she found time do all those things that her family loved. Sewing for her children and grandchildren provided clothes, blankets, handmade dolls, quilts and many treasured memories. She was an accomplished baker, crafting cookies and winning the hearts of every starry-eyed grandchild.
Outside the house, she devoted time to her Sunday School classes at both the Saratoga and Ballston Spa Christian & Missionary Alliance churches. If she wasn’t actively engaged in caring for her family and others, she found time to devote to their treasured horses, Pete, Major and Casper, relaxing in casual riding, or heated competitive barrel-racing.
Fanny turned out to be a woman of surprises. She could be quiet and calm around the house, but quickly quite the terror at the table drawn up around a deck of cards or a handful of dice. At home in the saddle on the back of a quarter horse, she was equally comfortable on the back of a hurtling motorcycle. Behind the wheel of their Dodge pickup, which seemed to be her favorite ride, she was known for dominating the road and lesser drivers alike, with speed being her primary measure of competency.
We will long remember the extended-family fried dough and bacon breakfasts and sundown shindigs she hosted in their barn and corral where dozens of family and friends would gather around the fire with coffee, music, and hours of stories and gossip.
In the end, Fanny reflected the love of her Lord and Savior in her sacrificial love for others; her friends, her brothers and sisters, her children, and most of all her husband.
She loved, and she was loved.
Those of us blessed to know Fanny knew without question that her heart was for others, whether family or friend, and you were not a friend for long before you understood you were family.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Jay M. Putnam, an old rodeo rider, who shared her love for horses, rodeos, and the cowboy way, and her two proudest achievements, her son Casey (Tracey Hartman) Putnam, and her daughter Margaret (Brad) Williamson.
Her legacy continues in those who we knew brought her so much joy; her seven grandchildren: the Putnams – Cheyanna, Elizabeth and Garrett, and the Williamsons – Caitlin (Ross) Downhour, Tierney, Beck (Lexi Schmidt), and Keely, and her five great-grandchildren: Cheylee, Braylee, and Novalee on the Putnam side, Maynard and Simon on the Williamson side.
She is also survived by her brothers; Roger George, Karl K., and Kirklin D.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Kirkland D. and Martha A. (Owens) Woodcock and siblings Betty Lou (Zwijacz), Ralph Lamar, Olive Sandra “Sandy” (Dickenson), and Joy Susan, as well as half-sisters, Lois (Saetes) and Rose-Marie (Neiger).
Memorial services will be held both in Chandler, Arizona and in Saratoga Springs with details being published as soon as circumstances allow.
Fanny will be interred in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, weather and pandemic restrictions allowing, as early as May 2021, on a specific date to be announced.
The family’s heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional nurses at Chandler Regional Medical Center and the professional staff of In My Home Hospice Care, who provided not only attentive nursing care for Fanny, but also a peaceful, compassionate, and hymn-filled environment during her transition from this life to the next.
Memorial donations can be made to In My Home Hospice Care, 1204 East Baseline Road, Suite 101, Tempe, Arizona 85283.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — Raymond Zielinski of St. Augustine, FL died after a courageous month-long battle with COVID-19. He was 83 years old.
Ray was born in Albany, NY on April 9, 1937 to Mary and Stanley Zielinski. He graduated from Siena College and received his master’s degree in business from SUNY Albany. Ray worked for New York State for 33 years. Raymond was the president of the Albany Polish American Citizens Club for several years when the new building was established.
Ray and his wife, Ann, left Saratoga Springs after he retired for St. Augustine, FL. There he worked for the Red Train giving tours of this great historical city. Ray could often be found on the golf course or socializing with friends. Always adventurous and vivacious, he was known for his love of parties and friendship.
He and Ann would vacation to Saratoga Springs for the summer months where he would conduct back stretch tours of the racetrack. Ray also volunteered at the Saratoga Visitors Center where he gave tours of Congress Park, Yaddo, and trolley tours of the city. Raymond belonged to the Historical Society where he continued his interest in the bygone Saratoga.
In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his brothers Richard and Stanley Zielinski and his sister, Pat Dobek.
Survivors include the love of his life for 33 years, his wife Ann, his daughters whom he was so proud of, Alecia Ramos (Tony), Amy Lee (Joe), Alison Faggiano (Blaise), Ann’s children Kelly Smachlo (Mark), Stuart McDowell (Gloria), many grandchildren, and his sister and best friend, Sandy Crooks (John).
As soon as Ray learns the layout of Heaven and its many attractions, he will be giving personalized guided tours. Ray was truly a love of history.
Due to COVID-19 a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
GREENFIELD CENTER — Patricia May Fitzgerald, 64, of Greenfield Center passed away at home on February 14, 2021 surrounded by her family and loved ones. A private funeral home service will be live streamed at 1 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2021. Calling hours are Friday, February 19, 2021 from 3-5 p.m. at Burke Funeral Home. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
ROTTERDAM — Chris T. Andreadakis passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at home after a short illness. He was born on August 18, 1923. Calling hours were Monday, February 15 at Burke Funeral Home. Burial with military honors took place Tuesday, February 16 at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the death of our dear friend Andrew Brown of Saratoga Springs who passed away January 20, 2021 at the age of 96.
He was born on April 6th, 1924 to Mittie Logan Brown and Jerry Brown in Birmingham, Alabama. Andrew was the youngest of 8 siblings. By the time he was the age of 15 most of his relatives, including both parents, had passed away.
Andrew moved to Tennessee to live with his sister for a while. He left school in the 10th grade and began to nomadically travel until he settled in Saratoga Springs, working with the horses at the racetrack. Andrew fell in love with this town and over the years he became known to many. He was good friends with Hattie Moseley and even had a friendship with Mary Lou Whitney. Andrew famously found Mary Lou’s gem in Congress Park while walking and returned it to her. Andrew became a member of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge, a fraternity that he would always cherish. He enjoyed traveling all over the country especially with his dear friend Emma.
Through all his travels he enjoyed collecting and taking photographs. However, he had many other interests as well. Andrew relished in the sound of music, enjoyed fishing and loved watching a good sporting event, football, basketball, baseball etc. Andrew was known for his love of cooking; people would walk past his window asking for a plate of food. He was a man of different trades. He worked in a factory in Detroit, laid sidewalks all over Saratoga, drove cars all over the east coast and was even a super for an apartment building in Detroit.
Andrew was predeceased by both his parents, his seven siblings, Clifford, Ralph, Ronzola, Ernest, JB, Goldie and Mable; a very special great niece Gloria Jean Trout Nelms Hall; and his best friend Emma Nelson. He leaves behind a loving great-great niece Roshunda Turner, and children, Tyresha and Tyrone Jr; two great-great nephews, Tony and Damon Nelms and son Damon Jr.; His loving sister-n-law Patricia (Clifford) Brown and children, Kimberly, Daphne, Samantha, Jasmine, Jade and Louwana; and three very special friends Patrice Figuereo, Lisa Cilenti and Erika Manning.
Andrew will be missed dearly by those he left behind. Services will be held in the springtime with more information to follow.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michael R. Maki, age 51, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at home with his family by his side. Michael was born on August 11, 1969, son of the late Robert J. Maki, Sr.
Mike was employed with Spa Moving for many years. He was an avid NY Giants fan and loved to fish and play golf. Your smile will always warm our hearts because we know you are only away…not gone.
Mike is survived by his wife, Chrissy Maki; his mom, Rose Travis; twin brother, Joseph Maki and brother, Donald Pratt, all from Saratoga Springs. Two sisters, Esther Stanton from Porter Corners and Sherry Maki from Fulton, NY. Two stepsons, Steven Sherlin and his partner Megan Roland, and Joshua Sherlin. Also, his grandson Noah, who he loved beyond words…and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Robert (Jim) Maki Jr., and Edward D. Pratt.
Burial will be held at a later date in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Oswego NY.
A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael’s name to the Saratoga Community Hospice, as the family was thankful for the love and support from the nurses and staff.
WILTON — Michael J. Cahill, 24, passed away Sat., Feb. 6, 2021 after a snowboarding accident. Relatives and friends may call from 3:30 to 7 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 12, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass will be at St. Peter’s Church on Sat., Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
GREENFIELD CENTER — Judy A. Schmidt, nee Turney, passed away peacefully at home on January 23, 2021 after a long illness. Judy was a joyous person who enjoyed large gatherings of her family and friends and was the life of the party. Funeral services will be spring of 2021. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edward “Ned” Joseph Minahan, 82, passed away January 5, 2021. No calling hours. Mass of Christian Burial will be April 30, 2021 at the historic Church of St. Peter. Burial with military honors will follow at Saratoga National Cemetery. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
