SAN DIEGO, CA — Waylon Edward “Bucky” Loftis, long-time Saratoga Springs, NY resident, passed away on December 21, 2023 in San Diego, California where he lived with his cherished wife and children. Waylon, 33, was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother. He is much loved and adored and will be forever missed by his family and friends. 

Waylon was born to Keith and Sheri (Boucher) Loftis on June 3, 1990, at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, California. He was the baby brother to Cody, Jacob, Candace, Rhiannon, and Keith James. He was a very passionate and devoted husband to Kandace Loftis and the most amazing and loving father to both Wyatt and Wesson Loftis. 

After graduation from Saratoga Springs High School, Waylon moved back to his hometown of El Cajon, California. He loved working with his brother Keith James at Loftis Motorsports. There he met his best friend and the LOVE of his life, Kandace Guevara, on June 8, 2008. They both were 18 years old, and it was love at first sight! They married on September 1, 2016. From this beautiful union they were blessed with two beautiful mini-Waylon’s, Wyatt Jameson Loftis (9 yrs. old) and Wesson Kash Loftis (6 yrs. old). Waylon was the most patient, compassionate, and warmhearted father his sons could ask for. His family was his “heart,” his world and everything he looked forward to. He took every opportunity to teach his boys all that he knew. His sons will forever cherish memories and lessons learned from spending time with their beloved father fishing, hunting, skateboarding, BMX riding, and working on automobiles. Above all, he taught them to be proud respectful young men. 

Waylon felt honored to be part of a brotherhood with the Local 229 as an Ironworker. Waylon never failed to pass up an opportunity to show his wittiness or play a good joke while working with his fellow Rod Buster brothers. 

Waylon was fun-loving—he loved to surf and snowboard. He was kind-spirited, giving, and there is nothing he wouldn’t do for someone in need. Waylon had an immense impact on everyone he came across during his lifetime and will be forever missed by us all. 

Rest in peace, Bucky. I love you, Momma

AMSTERDAM — William “Bill” Blake Jr. passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023, following a recent stroke. He was 83.

Bill was born in West Burke, VT on May 7, 1939. From an early age, he loved to fish and hunt. He dreamed he’d grow up to be like singing cowboy Gene Autry or Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges. Although he never mastered yodeling, he did hit over .400 playing first base in high school. But his ambitions soon changed the first time he saw his father’s harness horse race in Montreal. The thrill he felt watching that horse go from last to first over the course of a mile was like watching the Dodgers beat the Yankees in 1955, but it happened in 2 ½ minutes! He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be sitting behind that horse, guiding it to victory. Over the span of 50+ years, Bill got to experience that feeling himself repeatedly, having driven and trained countless horses into the Winner’s Circle.

After serving his country in the Army, Saratoga Harness became Bill’s home once he met Barbara LaRouech, who groomed horses for her father. The two were married in 1966 and raised four daughters as they worked alongside each other with the horses until her passing in 2000. Having already been inducted into the Saratoga Hall of Fame in 2006, glaucoma forced Bill to retire in 2016. Otherwise, he would’ve still been training horses. That’s who he was. Hard-working. Humble. Dependable. He’d give you the shirt off his back in the middle of winter and say he was hot anyway. To his family, he was their anchor. No matter how turbulent the sea got, he kept things grounded. He was as steady and as decent a man as you will ever find, and he will be deeply missed.

Besides his wife, Barbara, Bill is predeceased by his father and mother, William and Lila Blake; his brothers Bernard, Clifton and Wendell; his mother and father-in-law, Elizabeth and Clyde Revier, and his father-in-law Fred LaRouech.

Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Darcy and Steven Alheim of Moreau, daughters Laury Blake and Shelley Blake of Saratoga, daughter and son-in-law Billie and Anthony DeLuca of Greenwich; sisters Wilma Fournier and Marylyn Blake of VT, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carol and Edward McNeil of Ft. Edward, brother-in-law Fred LaRouech of IL; grandchildren Rachael and Kenneth Ricks, Nicole and Amanda Malfer-Compton, Tyler Hendrickson, Brennan DeBates and Rylee DeLuca, five great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023 with Military Honors bestowed at 4:45 p.m. at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 7, 2023. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Glens Falls Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

MALTA — Marilyn A. Heggen, 91, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn was born in Troy on September 3, 1931. She was the daughter of Charles J. and Frances V. (Geiger) Meehan. Raised in Latham, she was a graduate of Vincentian Institute in Albany. She worked for several years for the State of New York and the County of Saratoga.

Marilyn met her husband Arne E. Heggen when they were members of the Albany Single Ski Club. They were married for 53 years. Marilyn volunteered with many organizations, including as a religious education teacher at St. Mary’s in Ballston Spa, delivering Meals on Wheels, and with her children’s activities. She treasured her friendships, especially with her exercise and bridge groups. She also enjoyed many years of skiing and camping with her family and friends. She was a regular attendee at her grandchildren’s activities, games and events.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Arne E. Heggen, her son Arne C. Heggen, her brother Charles J. Meehan and her sisters Betty Murphy (the late James) and Frances Casserly (the late James).

Marilyn is survived by her children Karen A. Heggen (Peter S. Klotz, Sr.) of Malta; Mark E. (Jennifer) Heggen of Malta; Katherine (Thomas) F. Burke of Ballston Spa and her daughter-in-law Julie Arel (the late Arne C.) of Essex Junction, VT. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jacqueline Burke (fiancé Cory Adams), Meghan Burke Cochran (Quin), Andrew Heggen, Sophie Heggen, Matthew Heggen and Daniel Heggen, her sister-in-law B. Jane Meehan (the late Charles) of Latham, her longtime friend Elizabeth F. Kmen of Glenville, NY, and many nieces and nephews. 

Services were held Wednesday January 18 and Thursday, January 19, 2023. Memorial contributions may be made in Marilyn’s name to St. Mary’s School, 40 Thompson Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. To light a candle, visit us at www.mevecfuneralhome.com

SYRACUSE — On Friday, January 13, 2023, in Erin’s loving arms, Joe (Mars) Marinelli, age 78, peacefully passed. His worn-out, much-used heart simply couldn’t keep up with him any longer despite his strong desire to go one more furlong. Joe wasn’t ready to leave us, and we are not ready to say goodbye. There is comfort in knowing that Joe never wanted to be an old man. He wasn’t meant for it, and he won’t be remembered that way. He left this life a handsome, smart, and vibrant man and without a doubt looking over his shoulder thinking “Erin, you know what we should have done” one last time.

His loved ones are left simply stunned that an infection in the hospital was what took him. We thought for sure it would be the point spread in a damn Patriots game that would do him in.

Born in Syracuse, he was the son of the late Anthony and Carmella Marinelli. He was known for his big, beautiful smile, his quick wit, sharp tongue, impeccable style and kind, generous heart. A stand-up man without doubt, Joe truly believed that if you are not living on the edge, you’re just taking up too much space. He was loved by many but more importantly admired by all.

What a life he fully lived. From Syracuse to New York to Florida to California to Boston and finally in Saratoga Springs (with a hundred more stops along the way), all the while collecting hundreds of dear friends. A true lover of life, music, and people, Joe was never one to suffer fools or anything that might get in the way of a good time. If asked what he did for work he’d let you know that he did “whatever needed to be done” and that a job is a way to pay for living, and that’s it. It does not define the person and certainly not happiness if you are living the right way surrounded by the right people. Joe once said, “I’d rather live one day as a lion than a thousand days as a sheep,” and he did. When you were with Joe you were in for a good time and if you were lucky, he’d cook for you. This was one of the many ways he showed his love. Now if you weren’t so lucky you were in the passenger seat of his car – for those of you that experienced this just think; he took enough years off our lives with sheer terror that we’ll be with him that much sooner.

All that loved Joe will be left with an immense void. He will especially be deeply missed by his love, Erin Ennis. Her three children, Colin Dreyer (Nichole Mangona), Grace Ennis, and Liam Dreyer. And of course, his precious newborn grandson Colt. All whom he loved beyond measure and generously imparted his wisdom and affection upon every day of their lives. Remember, he’d say “Nothing good comes easy, just put your head down and keep grinding.”

He leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Lynn Marinelli; Erin’s sisters and their families, and her parents, whom will all greatly miss Joe’s deep love for hosting family gatherings which resulted in deeper bonds and precious memories. His many nieces, nephews, and more dear friends than we can count, that were his family in his heart.

At one time I simply asked who in the world still talks to basically everyone they went to elementary school with and had met moving forward for their entire life? Incredulously, he answered: “Italians. We change our clothes, not our friends.” And everyone was a fast friend. He is predeceased by a brother, Michael Marinelli, a sister-in-law Patricia, and niece Mary.

At Joe’s request, there will be no calling hours or services. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Principessa Elena Society at 13 Oak St. in Saratoga Springs. Joe loved the Principessa and the friendships he made there. Nothing made him happier than bringing people together with a good meal and a strong cocktail. And again, on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Vito’s Ristorante, 320 E. First St., E. Syracuse, NY. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joseph “Mars” Marinelli please visit tjpfuneralhome.com.