SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marianne H. Knapp, 75, passed peacefully after a courageous, battle with colon cancer. Calling hours 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, 8/16/2021 at Burke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, 8/17/2021 at Church of St. Peter, burial to follow at Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial donations to Saratoga County Animal Shelter. www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Maryellen (Luce) Biggie Thompson Celeste, 96, passed away peacefully July 31, 2021.  Funeral services were private, and burial followed in the family plot in Maplewood Cemetery. Memorial donations to Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420, 190 Excelsior Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Augustus “Gus” E. DeMatteo, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 02, 2021, at Saratoga Hospital with his son by his side.

 He was born on July 28, 1928, in Saratoga Springs, son of the late Gus and Anna DeMatteo.

 Gus served in the US Army from 1950 to 1951 as a private.

 Gus was a teamster for Local 294, then worked as a boilermaker at West Milton Nuclear for several years. He worked for the City of Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works for 30 years and retired as a motor equipment operator. 

 Gus belonged to the Italian American Club for many years and enjoyed the numerous cookouts and social events the club held. In his free time, he would go fishing and hunting with his friends and family. As a born and raised Saratogian, he had a passion for horse racing and could be found at the track most days in July and August. But most of all, Gus loved spending time with his son Tony, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life and kept him going all these years. They all knew him and cherished him as their “Pop” or “Pop-Pop.”

 Gus was truly one of a kind. He was a man who would do anything for anyone. He loved helping people and prided himself on that. Whatever anyone needed, he was always first in line to help, with no questions asked. Whether it was plowing people out during snowstorms, running errands for people in need or checking in on his family, Gus was always there, no matter how big or small the task was.

 Gus is survived by his son, Anthony DeMatteo (Patricia); grandchildren, Erin Dahlstrom (Jerad), Julie DeMarco (Tom), Maria DeMatteo (Taylor Morris), step-daughter, Rose Downing; great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Aidan, Hadley Dahlstrom; Owen, Gavin, Griffin DeMarco; step-grandchildren, Sarah Downing, Jessica Winney (Darion), Ryan Smith (Jill), PJ Pierce (Stacy), Grant Pierce, and Skylar Pierce; step-great-grandchildren, Lawson Smith, Mihla Smith, Lola Smith, Kaylin Solari and Lena Goldman; and many nieces and nephews. 

 He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence DeMatteo; His brother and sister-in-law, Jeremiah and Alice DeMatteo. 

 A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 6, 2021, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs. Family and friends may call from 4 to 5:45 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

 Arrangements are under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. For online condolences, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Robert A. Millington Sr., 75, died surrounded by family on July 31, 2021, from complications of aggressive prostate cancer.

Bob grew up in Troy, the son of the late Eleanor (Will) and Irving Millington. After graduating from Troy High School in 1964, he began a long career in sales. He spent the last thirty-three years of his career as a sales engineer with Amada America., retiring in 2017. On August 9, 1967, he married the love of his life, Barbara (Rich) and together they settled in Saratoga Springs where they raised their family.

Bob was a loving man, who was always ready to share a story or a joke. He loved to make people laugh and always had a smile on his face. His first and greatest love was his family; willing to do anything to make them happy, always dedicating his time to be with his children, and proud of their accomplishments and the families they raised. Always the proudest Papa, he loved watching his grandchildren play sports, seeing their achievements, and watching them grow. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed rooting for the Orioles, Celtics and Giants, no matter their record. He also had a passion for horse racing and sharing his handicapping with friends and family. Never one to shy away from adventure, Bob loved to travel and explore new places. His free spirit often led his family to places they had never seen, while traversing 48 states and many countries. 

Bob was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard and his nephew. He leaves behind his wife, his son, Robert Jr. and his wife Kerrin, grandson Trevor and granddaughter Maryn of Tolland, CT; his daughter Stacy Hyjek and her husband Robert, and grandsons Patrick and Jacob of Meriden, NH; his sister Patricia of Averill Park and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs.

Bob’s family would like to thank the nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors at Saratoga Hospital for the wonderful care he received the last few weeks of his battle. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc. (thsaratoga.org).

“How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” – A.A. Milne

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SAINT CLAIRE, MO — GySgt James Steven Misa, Jr., USMC (Ret.), Jimmy entered eternal life on July 31, 2021. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2019, at the Burke Funeral Home. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

AMSTERDAM — George Augustus Smith, Jr., age 57, died on Wednesday, July 28. A funeral service was held on Monday, August 2, 2021, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs followed by a graveside service at Greenridge Cemetery, 17 Green Ridge Pl, Saratoga Springs. www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

GREENFIELD — John “Jake” LaButta, age 73, passed away on July 25, 2021, at home, with his life partner Diane L McQuigge at his side. John was a co-owner/operator of Point Breeze Marina on Saratoga Lake with his best friend Tom Carringi for many years. For online condolences, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

GLENVILLE — Earl K. Stewart, age 91 of Glenville, formerly of Queensbury, and Chatham, MA passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 23, 2021. Memorial Service to be private at the convenience of the family. For online condolences, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

WATERFORD — Amy Patricia Gilbert, age 51, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021. A celebration of life was held on Friday, July 30, 2021, at The American Legion in Cohoes.For online condolences, please visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stephen Sean DiGiovanni, 45, of Saratoga Springs died unexpectedly on July 26. There will be no services held but a Celebration of Life will be held at a later time. www.compassionatefuneralcare.com