SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sally A. Evans, 79, entered into eternal life December 8, 2020. Burial will be at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Please visit burkefuneralhome.com.
NORTHUMBERLAND — Ellen R. Bongard, member of the New York Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Industry, passed away on Dec. 7, 2020 at her home. She was 77. Services will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Eugene Wade, 73, passed away at his home in Largo, FL, on December 10, 2020.
He was born on April 8, 1947 in Saratoga Springs. Gene lived there all his life but he and his wife enjoyed spending their winters in Florida.
Gene was a Vietnam veteran and proudly served in the United States Army. He served proudly from 1966-1968. Following his honorable discharge from the Army he was employed by General Electric for over 40 years in Schenectady, retiring in 2009. He married Madeline Wardell in 1968 and they recently celebrated 52 years together.
Gene was predeceased by his parents Richard (Downing) Wade and Corabell (Kimball) Wade. He is survived by his wife Madeline; daughters Marisa and Sheila (Wade) and husband Richard Hall of Maryland; two brothers William (wife Diane) of Saratoga and Charles Wade of California; his nieces Tammy Tidwell, Wendy Paige and Stacy Adams; and nephew William Wade Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Gene to any local animal rescue organization.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at William J. Burke & Sons funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373). A funeral home service will begin at 11 a.m. (due to NYS Executive Orders and Covid-19 protocols, the funeral service will be limited attendance).
Burial with military honors will take place at 12 p.m. Wednesday, December 23 at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Andrea Holcomb Gardner, aged 71, passed away at home in Saratoga Springs on Dec. 8, 2020, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, which she faced with the dignity, courage, intelligence, ferocity, pragmatism, and grace that were hallmarks of her too-short life.
The daughter of Roberta Cole and Albert Holcomb, Andrea was a Michigan native and attended Seaholm High School and Western Michigan University. In the 1970s, she lived with her former husband Thomas Gardner in the Adirondacks, where she was a social worker. The Gardners moved to Saratoga Springs in 1977, where Andrea embraced the community and raised her daughters Ashley and Rachel. She dedicated her life to serving on numerous boards and committees, exploring the natural environment, enhancing her own historic property, and appreciating the cultural breadth of the city. Andrea showcased her love of people through her work at the Saratoga Springs City Center, ultimately as Director of Sales, helping to draw droves of visitors to the downtown she loved.
Gracious and gregarious, Andrea fostered friendships across a wide and diverse spectrum of people, whether at a PTA meeting, playing pickleball, at a party, or in the pool. She treated all people with respect, always affirming their value, and her friends share that being around Andrea’s “calm, curiosity, and light” both improved their lives and propelled them to live up to the best self she saw in them. One friend described Andrea as “devoted” to her passions, especially her children and grandchildren, as well as to the beauty and well-being of Saratoga Springs. Another quoted her as emphasizing that she wanted to “leave the world a better place for her grandchildren.”
Andrea was also known for her ingenuity, was a wiz with a toolbox, had a green thumb, and loved a good dirty martini. She loved to dance, spend time on horseback, and float down the river in a canoe. She had an innate gift for interior design and had overseen the renovations of several historic properties, including her own home.
In her younger years she sailed from Hawaii to California, windsurfed choppy waters, ski-bummed in Vail and the Alps, and cycled through Europe, ultimately burning her luggage on the tarmac favoring the weight of her new bicycle. One friend recalls that in 1991, Andrea began joining a group of women participating in fitness weekends at Camp Chingachgook, in Lake George. “Andi made sure we all survived the itinerary of hiking, ropes courses, tennis, and camp activities, reveling in the sheer joy of our freedom.”
Andrea knew how to play. She joined friends in tennis, pickleball, and mahjong, and excelled at jigsaw puzzles, Scrabble, and crosswords. She loved pre-performance picnics at SPAC, where she was a life member, weekend getaways, and breakfast at the farmers’ market. She rarely declined an invitation and was a witty and animated partner in discussions of politics, gardening, the arts (especially dance), travel, and relationships. Andrea was a second mother to many and gave sage advice. She was sought after as a loyal companion for both her mystery and her openness. She was known to say she did not take the blessings in her life for granted.
She was president of her investment club (The Divas) for nearly 25 years, a generous Christmas host, and frequently the driver to the club’s winter retreat at Big Wolf in the Adirondacks. In sub-zero temps, her trusty Subaru was the only one to start.
Andrea traveled the world, joyfully undertaking adventures in the Yucatán, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Portugal, Paris, Italy, Peru, Belize, Roatan, and the Alps. Despite her pursuit of adventure, she was never happier than at her own hearth in Saratoga Springs, into which she welcomed all comers with a grace and openness that made her the centerpiece of her family and tribe of friends. One said, “She was the archetypical hostess, but most of all, she was our rock.”
Andrea possessed a notion for how life should be. For her, every stranger was a potential friend, every person had an important story, and every problem had a solution she could navigate with clarity and calm. She took pride in the process of life. She found joy in the mundane and comedy in crisis. She valued experiences over outcomes and lived her life with simple abundance. One close friend said, “There are two kinds of people: those who knew and loved her, and those who wish they knew her.”
Andrea is survived by her daughters, Ashley Gardner (Kevin Wood) and Rachel Gardner (Alejandra Bernal); grandchildren Devon and Riley Gardner-Wood; sister-in-law Jeanette Holcomb, nephews Scott (Melissa) Holcomb and Chad Holcomb, her companion of several decades, Tim Shoen; her platonic life partner Deborah Koransky, and her former husband, Thomas Gardner, along with an infinite collection friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Gary Holcomb.
While no gathering is currently planned to memorialize Andrea due to COVID-19, the family plans to meet with friends to joyously celebrate her life sometime in 2021. In lieu of flowers, please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com for memorial donation information, to sign the guest book and share photos and memories.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Mark Terrell, age 65, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Burke Funeral Home, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marion E. Ash Julius, 81, passed away December 6, 2020. Calling hours are 9 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Burke Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Orwell, VT next to her husband and son. Remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Helene (Lee) M. Gary, 88, of Saratoga Springs, passed peacefully Nov. 30, 2020. Services are private. Contributions can be made in memory of Lee to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visit burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Our loving father Peter F. Russo laid his head to rest November 26, 2020.
He has joined his son Charlie, wife Phoebe and his parents Charles and Thelma Russo.
Peter’s passion was Saratoga and horses. At the age of 14 Peter became a horse trainer, and at 16 he went on to become the youngest sulky driver at the Saratoga Harness Track and retired as a racing judge. Other things that Peter enjoyed with his family were traveling to Florida, especially Disney World, watching New York Giants football and was an absolute phenomenal cook, who enjoyed cooking for his family.
Peter was a very loving and doting father who truly loved his family. He is survived by his children: Elizabeth, Sondra and Charles’ twin brother Peter; his grandchildren, Richard, Angelina, Joey, Nicole and Ashley. Peter also leaves behind his special little dog Holly. They absolutely adored each other.
Dad, Poppy, you will be loved and missed until we meet again.
Services were private. Burial was in the family plot in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Shirley Simpson, loving Mom, Nana, and Great Grandmother passed away peacefully at age 85 on November 20. A graveside service was held Wednesday, November 25 at the family plot at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs and a Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Georgia “GG” Alicia Radtke (Grinos), 95, died November 20 in Saratoga Springs. Georgia was formerly of Rochester. At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours or service. A “Celebration of Life” is planned for the coming summer.
