Francis “Gary” Brooks, age 73, of Queensbury, NY, passed away on February 9, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Gary was born on June 4, 1949 in Saratoga Springs, the son of the late Gilbert and Mildred (Howard) Brooks. Gary graduated from St. Peter’s Academy in 1967 in Saratoga Springs and then went on to get his Business Administration degree at Albany Business College. He then eventually furthered his education at Bryant & Stratton Business Institute in Albany in 1996. Every year, he was happy to complete the Income Taxes for countless friends & family!

Gary married Anne Kearney in 1969 and share daughter Whitney (Brooks) Rebisz. Gary is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Dave; his long-term committed relationship with Gretchen Mutaf; his sister Denise and brother-in-law Frank Largen; his dear friends Jeff & Milayne Jackson-Kingsley; and many musician friends he played with throughout his entire life.

Preceding Gary in death includes his father Gilbert, his mother Mildred (Howard) Brooks, and his brother Malcolm.

Gary will always be remembered through the music he played with numerous bands including The Shames, The Cherry Stones, Breakfast of Champions, Whisper, Merlin’s Minstrels, Emerald City, Gary Brooks Band, Bobby Kaye and ‘Them,’ Joe Mele Band, Janis Joplin Tribute Show, Joe Jackson and Armed & Dangerous Band, Wild Bill & the Rhythm Kings, Thunder Road, the Milayne Jackson Trio and his solo career.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2023 with an 11 a.m. Funeral Home service at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway Saratoga Springs. Burial will follow in Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave.

Visit burkefuneralhome.com

GLENVILLE ­— Georgette D. Smith, age 77, passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Granville Center. She was born on May 23, 1945, in Saratoga Springs, the daughter of the late Niles King and Olga (Dunham) King.

Georgette was a proud homemaker, she loved caring for her husband, her home and raising her wonderful children. Georgette’s husband and children were her world.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband, animals of all kinds, listening to music and going to concerts. She was a big fan of Randy Travis, Elvis, and George Jones. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always made people laugh, and she was a very kind and compassionate person who everyone loved to be around.

Georgette is survived by her loving husband, Robert L. Smith; son, Robert L. Smith II and wife Gala of Black River, NY; daughter, Deanna Smith of Milton, NY; grandchildren, Robert L. Smith III and Maya Smith of Black River, NY and Thomas J. Powers of Milton, NY; sisters, Patricia Merrill and her husband Jack of Watertown, NY, Carol Todd and her husband William of Saratoga Springs; many nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved very dearly.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Jessie Smith of Ballston Spa.

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, with Pastor Jeffrey Stratton officiating. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.  

A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville NY, 12871. 

For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com