SARATOGA SPRINGS —Judy C. Parks passed away April 28, 2024. Born Judy Carole Stevens on February 20, 1941 in Saratoga Springs, she was a lifelong resident. Calling hours: 10 a.m. – to 12 noon on Friday, 5/3/2024 at Burke Funeral Home, followed by funeral home service. Burial following at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com
GANSEVOORT — Joyce Manchester Cerosaletti, aged 82, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, in The Villages, Florida. Family and friends may call from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Robert A. (Bob) Stokes, a visionary leader in business, community, and public service, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on April 24, 2024.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1942, Bob was raised “in the shadow of Fenway Park.” He often said his lifelong devotion to the Boston Red Sox helped form his willingness to take on tough challenges and the endurance to see them through. He earned his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts. After graduating from Colgate University with a degree in History in 1964, he married Julia Snelham Stokes, whom he met on a blind date while she was a student at Elmira College. They moved to the Capital Region, where he was hired as management with New York Telephone Co., the predecessor of Verizon. He spent the next 30 years managing the company’s plant and business offices while implementing strategies to build facilities in fast-growing areas including Saratoga County.
The County’s community infrastructure is infused with Bob’s nearly 60 years of influence and quiet, determined vision. His relentless practicality, and “done right, on time and under budget,” guided Bob’s oversight of a multitude of volunteer projects. When Bob and Julie moved to Saratoga Springs in the 1970s, he began serving on citizens’ planning committees. As the first chair of the Community Development Committee in Saratoga – he was proud to open Fire Station 2 on West Avenue. He went on to serve on numerous school redistricting committees, and when the Presbyterian Church on Broadway burned in 1976, Bob chaired the Building Committee, acquiring St Peter’s Convent on Circular Street and Park Place for the new structure.
After moving to the Town of Greenfield in 1979, Bob was appointed to the Greenfield Planning Board, later becoming Chair. He was elected to the Town Board in 1993 and Supervisor in 1995. Bob held public office for the next 10 years, serving as Greenfield’s Supervisor and Chair of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. He enjoyed building a solid financial base for the town, expanding Greenfield’s Town Hall and was committed to providing services to support managed growth like quality roads and parks. At the County level, he was proud of having proposed and funded the first Saratoga County Open Space Committee and grants in 2003.
He found a way to teach others in his retirement. He served as a volunteer at the Saratoga Auto Museum and had a special passion as a docent for the National Park Service at the Saratoga National Historic Park. Stokes would share his historical insights with friends and visitors. As a board member of the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield, he helped lead the design, fundraising, and construction of the panoramic Saratoga Sword Surrender Site, expanding the boundaries of the historic seminal battlefield. He was a master of Trivial Pursuit, especially in the yellow “history” category, and waged epic games of Risk with his daughters and grandson. A lifelong interest in cars led to the restoration of several 1940s and 1950s British MG “T” series sports cars. He delighted in showing them at car shows, and with Julie, received numerous regional and national awards, including one of the Antique Automobile Club of America’s most prestigious honors.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Julia Snelham Stokes, his daughters Lynn Stokes of Saratoga Springs, Jennifer Stokes of Denver, Colorado, and his grandchildren Mary Elizabeth Andrews of Monks Corner, South Carolina, and Dylan Stokes Crowe of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by his extended family Linda Snelham Moore, Thomas Snelham, Courtney Snelham Rhodes, Peter Snelham, Eliza Moore, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Marion Stokes and son Edward Stokes.
A special thank you to the friends, family, and caregivers who have provided ongoing support during Bob’s palliative care.
Visiting hours will be held at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5- 7 p.m. with a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Hudson Crossing Park, Lock 5 Island, County Route 42 in Schuylerville, NY.
In recognition of Bob’s commitment to the community the family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield (648 Rt. 32, Stillwater, NY 12170) or a charity of your choice.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stephen P. Ethier, aged 63, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on October 31, 1960, in Troy, New York, Stephen was the cherished son of Gil Ethier and Barbara Piteras Ethier.
Throughout his life, Stephen was a dedicated and accomplished individual. He carved a successful path as a self-employed Real Estate developer and mortgage broker, serving with Eastside Group LLC in the Saratoga Springs area for numerous years. His passion and proficiency in the field earned him a notable reputation among his peers and clients alike.
Stephen’s journey in life was marked by remarkable achievements both on and off the court. He distinguished
himself as a standout bas
ketball player during his high school years at Cohoes High in 1978, a legacy he continued through Skidmore College in 1980. Venturing to Las Vegas, he embarked on a new chapter in the casino industry, later transitioning to Washington DC for real estate, before returning to his roots in his home state, where he continued his endeavors in Saratoga Springs.
Stephen is survived by his devoted parents, Gil and Barbara Ethier, his beloved daughter, Chloe Ethier, his long-time partner of 20 years Maria Billis, and his siblings: Gary Ethier (Lisa), Greg Ethier (Shannon), and Gillian Dineen (Micheal). He is also remembered fondly by his former wife and mother of Chloe, Kathleen Cote, and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and friends who will hold him close in their hearts.
A funeral service to honor Stephen’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Compassionate Funeral Care, located at 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.) Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to the service, family and friends are invited to gather from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stephen P. Ethier, aged 63, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on October 31, 1960, in Troy, New York, Stephen was the cherished son of Gil Ethier and Barbara Piteras Ethier.
Throughout his life, Stephen was a dedicated and accomplished individual. He carved a successful path as a self-employed Real Estate developer and mortgage broker, serving with Eastside Group LLC in the Saratoga Springs area for numerous years. His passion and proficiency in the field earned him a notable reputation among his peers and clients alike.
Stephen’s journey in life was marked by remarkable achievements both on and off the court. He distinguished
himself as a standout bas
ketball player during his high school years at Cohoes High in 1978, a legacy he continued through Skidmore College in 1980. Venturing to Las Vegas, he embarked on a new chapter in the casino industry, later transitioning to Washington DC for real estate, before returning to his roots in his home state, where he continued his endeavors in Saratoga Springs.
Stephen is survived by his devoted parents, Gil and Barbara Ethier, his beloved daughter, Chloe Ethier, his long-time partner of 20 years Maria Billis, and his siblings: Gary Ethier (Lisa), Greg Ethier (Shannon), and Gillian Dineen (Micheal). He is also remembered fondly by his former wife and mother of Chloe, Kathleen Cote, and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and friends who will hold him close in their hearts.
A funeral service to honor Stephen’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Compassionate Funeral Care, located at 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.) Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to the service, family and friends are invited to gather from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
BALLSTON SPA — Susan B. Fassett (nee Thompson), age 79, of Ballston Spa, passed away on April 16, 2024, after suffering a stroke. She was born on Novem- bar 30, 1944, in Buffalo and grew up in Dansville, N.Y., before leaving her hometown to go to college at the State University at Albany. Susan was a beloved high school math teacher, beginning her career at Owen D. Young Central School and then moving to and retiring from Schuylerville Central School. She was a fun-loving woman who enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Susan was an avid walker. You’d find her out walking around her neighborhood, the village of Ballston Spa, the Saratoga Spa State Park, and anywhere else someone invited her to go. She rarely refused an offer to go for a walk. She was a regular at the Saratoga YMCA and was always recruiting people to join her rowing team. She was closing in on 11,000,000 meters rowed since they started tracking. She also won her age bracket in many of our area road races. There aren’t many 5ks, 10ks, or half marathons locally that she didn’t participate in. She also completed multiple marathons. She enjoyed hiking in the Adirondacks and summited numerous mountains. At home you could find her in her flower gardens trying to keep the weeds at bay or sitting outside watching the birds on her many bird feeders. When time would allow, she fostered many kittens throughout the years from the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. She and her husband traveled extensively and saw many beautiful places and their favorite was Puerto Rico.
Susan was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Malta and the Saratoga Senior Center. Susan is survived by her daughters, Christine (Ken) Wright of Ballston Spa, and Katherine Culbert of Houston, Texas; sisters, Donna Gridley and Bonnie Wolfer of Dansville, N.Y.; grandchildren, Whitney and Nicholas Wright and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Fassett; parents, Lois and Howard Thompson; and sister, Gloria Berg. Susan will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and she will live on through her organ donation and her anatomical gift to Albany Medical College. Her family would like to thank the nurses and medical staff at Albany Medical Center for their excellent care. A service to celebrate Susan’s life will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Malta on May 18, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Loretta V. Filkins, 89, peacefully passed surrounded by loved ones on 4/20/2024. Per the family’s wishes, Loretta will be placed with Paul at a private burial. A celebration of Loretta’s incredible life will be 12 noon, 7/15/2024, at the Hathorn Pavilion in Saratoga Spa State Park. www.burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Mary Worthman passed away on April 11, 2024. Funeral Mass 5/1/24, 10 a.m. at St. Clement’s Church. Graveside St. Joseph Memorial Park (Indiana) at a later date. Memorial donations to South Bend Center for the Homeless, https://www.cfh.net or the Prostate Cancer Foundation http://www.pcf.org. www.burkefuneralhome.com.
Bye for now…
Bruce W. Friday
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Bruce W. Friday, 79, formerly of Webster, N.Y., died on April 19, 2024 at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs after living for several years with Parkinson’s Disease. Graveside service was 4/25/2024 at GreenridgeCemetery. Memorial donations to Michael J. Fox Foundation. www.burkefuneralhome.com.
https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout
Stephen P. Ethier
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Stephen P. Ethier, aged 63, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Glens Falls Hospital.
Born on October 31, 1960, in Troy, New York, Stephen was the cherished son of Gil Ethier and Barbara Piteras Ethier.
Throughout his life, Stephen was a dedicated and accomplished individual. He carved a successful path as a self-employed Real Estate developer and mortgage broker, serving with Eastside Group LLC in the Saratoga Springs area for numerous years. His passion and proficiency in the field earned him a notable reputation among his peers and clients alike.
Stephen’s journey in life was marked by remarkable achievements both on and off the court. He distinguished
himself as a standout bas
ketball player during his high school years at Cohoes High in 1978, a legacy he continued through Skidmore College in 1980. Venturing to Las Vegas, he embarked on a new chapter in the casino industry, later transitioning to Washington DC for real estate, before returning to his roots in his home state, where he continued his endeavors in Saratoga Springs.
Stephen is survived by his devoted parents, Gil and Barbara Ethier, his beloved daughter, Chloe Ethier, his long-time partner of 20 years Maria Billis, and his siblings: Gary Ethier (Lisa), Greg Ethier (Shannon), and Gillian Dineen (Micheal). He is also remembered fondly by his former wife and mother of Chloe, Kathleen Cote, and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and friends who will hold him close in their hearts.
A funeral service to honor Stephen’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Compassionate Funeral Care, located at 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.) Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to the service, family and friends are invited to gather from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
