SARATOGA SPRINGS – Barton Hugh Klion died peacefully in his sleep on April 7, 2026; he was born March 28, 1928, in Manhattan. He celebrated his 98th birthday with his children, daughter-in-law, and devoted granddaughter. Bart was fiercely independent, and he was still driving and only using a cane until recently. He was looking forward to his Academy for Lifelong Learning “international relations” discussion group and had just found a new chess partner with whom he played at a local coffee shop. He had a 518-day streak on Chess.com, where he played every day with one of his grandsons and others. A lifelong athlete, he skied until he was 82 and played tennis until he was 89.

After graduating from Rutgers University in 1948 and serving as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army (1948 – 1949), he began a successful career as a wallcovering sales and marketing executive, leading sales teams in metro NYC, while managing national accounts throughout the United States and Canada. Married to Barbara in 1955, Bruce and Lisa were born shortly after, and they moved to Hartsdale, NY, in 1960, where they remained until 2018, when they moved to Saratoga County. Bart and Barbara’s passion was travel, both in the U.S. and internationally, mostly on walking tours. The places and countries are too long to list but think of the song “Let’s Go Everywhere.”

Bart will mostly be remembered for his commitment to friends and family. Bruce and Lisa grew up with a slew of “Uncles,” some from the Manhattan neighborhood where he grew up, some from his years at Rutgers, where Bart was the president of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity chapter. He was an Ardsley Little League coach and a co-founder of the local touch-and-flag football program, as well as “Lassie League” softball. He taught his children to ski in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Quebec, and to play tennis at the local swimming and tennis club. He regularly attended his grandchildren’s school and youth sports activities, even though they were not local, with one grandson noting, “I don’t recall any other grandparents watching their grandchildren play outdoor division 5 soccer in all weather.” 

Other than seeing his two great-grandsons this spring, Bart was most looking forward to the annual Rutgers Living History Society meeting; RLHS and Rutgers Oral History Archive (now part of the Rutgers University History Department), gave him much meaning and purpose over the last 32 years, not just the absolute value of this worthy project, but the people he had met, interacted and formed relationships with. He served on the original operations committee, was President of RLHS for seven years, and remained active in the organization until last week. Bart entered Rutgers during WWII as a 16-year-old in 1944, and virtually all of his friends and fraternity brothers were returning combat veterans (as was his brother Stanley, RU class of 1942). Much of his devotion to ROHA was born of these relationships. Bart loved Rutgers University and was the true definition of a “loyal son.” Donations in honor of Barton Klion can be made here: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/oral-history-archives/8689.html. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Kupsick Klion (b. 1933, d. 2024). Surviving him are his son, Bruce and daughter-in-law Linda Klion of Saratoga Springs, their children and spouses and grandsons, Bennett Klion and Rose Mendoza, their son Cillian of Brooklyn; Henry Klion and Nicole Cavallaro, their son Oliver of Brooklyn; his daughter Lisa (Klion) Wald of Wayne, NJ; her son Jason Wald and fiancée Annika Sundberg of Chicago; her daughter Samara Wald of Providence (his “favorite” granddaughter). 

Bart was and will continue to be a role model of a life well lived, dedicated to friends and family. 

A private graveside service with military honors took place at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

June 12, 1932 – March 2, 2026

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Helen (Janes) Patti, age 93, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love, on March 2, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Though dementia touched her later years, her warmth, gratitude, and gentle spirit never faded.

Born June 12, 1932, in Woburn Sands, England, she was the daughter of David and Muriel (Gilby) Janes. She graduated from Totley Hall Training College of Housecraft and taught in England before continuing her career in Montreal and Vancouver, where she also studied computer programming.

While visiting Lake George, Helen met her husband, Jerry Patti, and they married in 1968. Helen worked in the Registrar’s office at Skidmore College for almost 30 years and earned her bachelor’s degree there in 1977.

Forever the athlete, she continued hiking, biking, dancing, skiing, sailing, kayaking, tennis, and brisk daily walks. Helen was also a magician: “Magic Patti,” delighting audiences with humor and charm and teaching the art of magic to children for decades. She was devoted to English Country Dance and continued dancing into her 90s.

In her final years, Helen was cared for by a devoted group known as “Team Helen.” She was predeceased by her husband, parents, and brothers, and is remembered by dear friends and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Burke’s Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Helen’s magician family will honor her with a traditional “Broken Wand Ceremony” beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Helen’s wishes were to be cremated, with a portion of her ashes scattered among the islands of Lake George, reuniting with her husband, while the remainder will be interred with her parents in England.

Please read the full obituary: www.burkefuneralhome.com. 

All people die, but not all people live. Helen lived!

June 12, 1932 – March 2, 2026

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Helen (Janes) Patti, age 93, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love, on March 2, 2026, in Saratoga Springs, NY. Though dementia touched her later years, her warmth, gratitude, and gentle spirit never faded.

Born June 12, 1932, in Woburn Sands, England, she was the daughter of David and Muriel (Gilby) Janes. She graduated from Totley Hall Training College of Housecraft and taught in England before continuing her career in Montreal and Vancouver, where she also studied computer programming.

While visiting Lake George, Helen met her husband, Jerry Patti, and they married in 1968. Helen worked in the Registrar’s office at Skidmore College for almost 30 years and earned her bachelor’s degree there in 1977.

Forever the athlete, she continued hiking, biking, dancing, skiing, sailing, kayaking, tennis, and brisk daily walks. Helen was also a magician: “Magic Patti,” delighting audiences with humor and charm and teaching the art of magic to children for decades. She was devoted to English Country Dance and continued dancing into her 90s.

In her final years, Helen was cared for by a devoted group known as “Team Helen.” She was predeceased by her husband, parents, and brothers, and is remembered by dear friends and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Burke’s Funeral Home in Saratoga Springs. Helen’s magician family will honor her with a traditional “Broken Wand Ceremony” beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Helen’s wishes were to be cremated, with a portion of her ashes scattered among the islands of Lake George, reuniting her with husband, while the remainder will be interred with her parents in England.

Please read the full obituary: www.burkefuneralhome.com.

All people die, but not all people live. Helen lived!

PORTER CORNERS, NY – Keith Harris, 60, passed away on January 31, 2026. He was born on May 12, 1965, in Ballston Spa, New York.

 Keith was a man who found joy in making and mending, a true craftsman who could build just about anything with his hands. He had a passion for reclaiming old buildings and barns, seeing potential where others could not, and bringing new life to what had been forgotten. He loved being outdoors and spent his time hiking, running, and even practicing yoga whenever he could. He also had a deep appreciation for history, books, good beer and whiskey, music, and, most of all, the people he loved.

Keith sang and danced loudly, never minding that he wasn’t particularly good at either, and his quick wit and humor brought laughter to everyone around him. He loved his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews deeply and made sure they always knew it. He supported his people fiercely and was always ready to lend a hand. He left us far too soon, and his absence will be felt forever.

Keith is survived by his wife, Jaqueline; his children, Nicole Best (Tyler), Emily August (Brandon), and Christian Harris (Lauren); and his grandchildren, Ruby and Penelope Best. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Corlew, Kelly Harris, Bonnie Murtlow (Daren), and Betty Scott (Jerry); as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Ethel Harris; his sister, Beverly Rabideau; and his sister-in-law, Susan Gemmett.

Services will be held on April 17, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York. A celebration of life will follow at 2:00 PM at The Parting Glass in Saratoga Springs.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature), a nonprofit organization based in Saratoga County that works to protect land, farms, forests, and natural habitats so they remain undeveloped and accessible for future generations.

GREENFIELD, NY – Mervyn Milks passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Glens Falls Hospital after a long illness. He was 57 years old.

Our beloved brother will be missed dearly.

He grew up tough in a fatherless home. Had to fend for himself from a juvenile age. Despite many hardships, he rose up and conquered. He had true grit and determination. By way of incarceration, he earned his way into some of the most notorious, invitation only, clubs in America.

Those who knew how to read his prison tattoos understood and usually kept their distance. Although very quiet on the outside, you wouldn’t want to find yourself on the fighting side of Mervyn. Many guys had to find that out the hard way.

Forced to survive and conquer amongst the worst of society’s criminals, he showed zero tolerance for anyone who tried to take advantage of him.

Harley Davidson motorcycles were his hobby and way of life.

Mervyn is survived by his ex-wife Mellisa, whom I’m sure pulled him back from the brink of death more times than she would like to admit, his brothers Francis and Mark, his children Kyle and wife Meghan, Joe and Ivan, his niece Marchelle, his nephew Mike Kolakovic, grandchildren Ellianna, Dylan Blamble and Lorelai.

A special thank you to his health care team.  Dr. John Pezzulo, Dr. Mitchell Forshey – Albany Med Palliative care and staff. Dr. Sidharth Jogani – Saratoga Hospital pulmonology.  Dr. John Mougan – Glens Falls Oncology group and staff. Dr. Ben Fraizer Taylor, MD PHD Saratoga Hospital Radiation Oncology and staff. Dr. Jordan Thiem – Glens Falls med group. Natalia Losi P.A. Dr. Amandeep Kaur MD. Care Lane cancer staff. P.A. Hakeem – Glens Falls Oncology. Staff at Wilton Medical Arts.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Mae Elizabeth (Bump) Gailor, 82, passed away on March 31, 2026, peacefully at home.

Mae was born on July 1, 1943, in Ballston Spa, NY. She was the daughter of the late Clinton and Lura Severie Bump.

Mae was born and raised in Ballston Spa with her sister Jean Llewellyn. She graduated from Ballston Spa High School in 1960. She married her husband, Daniel J. Gailor, Sr. on October 14, 1961. She devoted her life to taking care of others and her family.

Mae was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, sitting on the porch and watching “her” Mets play.

In addition to her parents, Mae was predeceased by her sister Jean Llewellyn, husband Daniel J. Gailor, Sr. and son Daniel J. Gailor, Jr.

She is survived by her sons; Dennis (Cherie) Gailor and Charles Gailor (Gina Young),  eight grandchildren; Danielle (Shawn) Willard, Courtnianne Gailor, Brittany Clark, Amber Gailor (Billy Hull), Abbi Gailor (Jesus Morales Torres), Justin (Lauren) Staigar, Erika (Duke) Bussing and RJ Furey, ten great-grandchildren; Matthew Gailor, Camdyn Hull, Taylor Bussing, Kaitlyn Willard, Tori Bussing, Hailee Hull, Lilliana Hull, Jaxson Hull, Blake Bussing and Joseph Clark along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital @ www.stjude.org or Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.

James Edward “Jimmer” Ruhle

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY- James Edward “Jimmer” Ruhle, born January 3, 1938, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 30, 2026. Funeral services were held on April 6.

Please consider donations may be made to the Easton Greenwich Rescue Squad, 441 New York 29, Greenwich, NY 12834.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.