WILTON — Colum (Joseph) O’Brien died peacefully at home on January 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Colum was born on March 17, 1944, in Dublin, Ireland, to Patrick and Bridget O’Brien. Colum grew up in Ireland surrounded by the family chaos of 11 children. He served his apprenticeship as a jockey in Lambourne, England, and met the love of his life, Jacqueline (Ward) while visiting home in 1961. Colum and Jackie started a long-distance love affair that included many love letters between them. Colum came to the United States in 1964 to work with his brother Leo and eventually emigrated fully in 1966. He was with his older brother Leo, and soon joined by another brother Michael. Together they became known on the riding circuit as the “Jumping O’Briens” and they successfully fulfilled their dreams of becoming steeplechase jockeys. 

On February 3, 1968 Colum and Jackie wed in Middleburg Virginia, and their first daughter Michele was born in Leesburg, Virginia in December of 1968. Their second daughter, Colleen, arrived in February of 1974. In 1978, Colum switched careers and became a thoroughbred horse trainer. He started training at Belmont Park, in Elmont, NY. Training and riding his own horses were Colum’s passion and calling in life. Throughout his 40-year career as a horse trainer, he traveled the East Coast winning races, mostly in New York. His favorite place to train and race was Saratoga Springs. He was a true horseman and loved to ride the horses that he trained, in fact, he continued to ride well into his early 70’s. He retired from training horses in 2017 and left Elmont to retire in Saratoga Springs with his wife Jackie.

To know Colum, was to love him. He was a charismatic man who loved to talk to everyone. He enjoyed sharing his views and laughing with all. His pride and joy were his three daughters, Michele, Colleen, and Tara (who arrived in August of 1980). His greatest achievement was ensuring that his daughters got the best education possible. All three girls went on to college and had successful careers. Colum never met a stranger, he welcomed all into his barn and his home.  He gave many of today’s leading riders their first shot. He loved everything about the horse industry and loved to travel to farms to see the young horses and how they were developing. He also made sure to find the retiring horses he trained loving second careers or homes.

Colum’s greatest skill was unconditional love, both with his wife, his daughters and his grandchildren. One of the unique aspects of this love was involving his whole family in his career as a horse trainer. Jackie often brought the three girls to the barn to “help” out when they were younger. As his daughters got older, they worked with their Dad at the barn on the weekends and school holidays. All three of his daughters spent time with him and learned every aspect of the business. He taught them how to ride, but most importantly he shared his passion and love for horses with them. The O’Brien family was always together at the barn and at the races. And when Colum won a race, it was a family affair and celebration. He continued that tradition of sharing his love of horses with his three grandchildren, Bridget, Keellyn, and Angelo. Many mornings you would see him proudly giving his grandkids pony rides around his barn.

Colum is survived by his wife Jacqueline (Ward), his daughters Michele (Angelo Vescio), Colleen (Jay Cummings), and Tara, and his grandchildren Bridget and Angelo (Vescio) and Keellyn (Cummings). In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at www.trfinc.org.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

A mass service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at St. Peter’s Church, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at www.trfinc.org.

Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Robert Eckardt, 88, of Saratoga Springs, NY passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 3, 2023 surrounded by his family. Robert was born to Eric Eckardt and Johanna Eckardt in 1935. 

Robert graduated from Morristown High School in Morristown, NJ in 1954. Upon graduation, Robert joined Carpenters Union Local 620 out of Madison, NJ. Around that time, he fell in love with Mary Rose Lee and they were soon married. They had eight children and were married 68 years. Growing up in Morristown, they had a faith-filled life with Sunday dinners and lots of love and laughs.

Mary and Robert together with their 8 children moved from Morristown to Saratoga Springs in 1973. They purchased a local business. Robert continued his work as a skilled union carpenter and real estate investor while Mary was a homemaker and a successful manager of the family business before selling it. 

Robert loved spending time with his family. He was a man with strong integrity, work ethic and character who had strong family values – he would do anything for his children. He also enjoyed watching the New York Giants, Atlanta Braves and occasionally watching thoroughbred racing. But nothing compared to the love he had for his devoted wife of 68 years and his family – what he cherished the most. He was a man of his word and stood strongly behind his beliefs – he never compromised and did it his way. 

Robert was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Carl Eckardt and brother-in-law John Keating. He is survived by his sister Regina Keating, sister-in-law Brenda Lee, brother-in-law John (Barbara) Lee and many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his eight children; Robert Eckardt (Teresa), Kathy (Kenny) Goodwin, Mary (Jim) DeWaard, Linda (Jim) Perry, Francis X. Eckardt, Patricia (Vince) Riggi, Sandra (Steve) Foley, Eric (Sonja) Eckardt, as well as his 14 grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren and a deceased great grandchild.

We’d like to thank all his doctors, Hospice and Saratoga Springs Fire & Rescue for their compassionate care.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 6 at 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care at 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY. 

Condolences may be shared at compassionatefuneralcare.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gerald M. Meehan, 93, of Saratoga Springs passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at the Home of the Good Shepherd. He was born on November 22, 1930, the son of the late Philip Meehan and Veronica Stefanik Meehan. 

Jerry grew up in South Hadley, MA where he was an altar boy and pharmacy tech. He graduated in 1949 from South Hadley High School playing an important part of its basketball and baseball teams. He went on to serve in the Air Force, stationed in Keflavik, Iceland as a pharmacist. After his time in the service, Jerry attended Lowell Technical Institution where he earned his degree in its first graduating class majoring in Plastic Engineering. He subsequently moved to Chicago and the Midwest, where he met his wife and started his family. Eventually, Jerry would return to the Capital District. There he worked at many positions, including the NYS Commerce Department, where he helped develop the “I Love NY” marketing program, and eventually retiring as a dedicated manager for the NYS Health Department.

Beyond his professional life, Jerry was an avid golfer and a long-standing member of the Ballston Spa Country Club. He was also proud of belonging to the “Hole in One Club” which he earned on a Par 3 at the Van Patten Golf Course. He was a Miss America Softball coach and Clifton Park soccer coach. He and his wife shared a passion for travel, exploring many parts of the world with a special passion for River and Ocean cruising. He was also a history enthusiast and had an avid appetite for reading. Education was especially important to him, and even in his later years he continued to learn, taking classes at Skidmore College. He was always happiest at night listening to his Big Band albums, especially Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey. Jerry was a big sports fan and spent many hours cheering for his favorite teams, the Green Bay Packers and Boston Red Sox. In his later years, he wanted to stay busy, so he volunteered to deliver food for Meals on Wheels.

But his favorite time was spent with family. He enjoyed his time with his wife, children and grandchildren, whether camping, cross-country skiing, cooking pancakes Saturday morning, taking trips and cruises, intense Trivial Pursuit competitions at the kitchen table, or playing Santa for friends and family.

Jerry is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Barbara Wadas Meehan, and his brother, Francis Meehan.

He is survived by his daughter, Melanie Meehan Nelson, his son, Michael (Shari) Meehan, as well as his grandchildren; Samantha Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Madeline Nelson, Nicklaus Meehan, Grace Meehan, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends who will deeply miss his humble spirit and twinkling blue eyes.

While Jerry cherished his family, his profound love for his dogs was especially precious to him as well. Many neighbors recall seeing him enjoying the day, riding his bike with his dogs in the front basket.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at Home of Good Shepherd, for all the love and care they gave him in his last years.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date, where Jerry will be laid to rest alongside his wife at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

Arrangements for his final farewell are under the compassionate guidance of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc., located at 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his name to World Central Kitchen for their feeding of children worldwide. 

You are welcome to share your condolences and memories at compassionatefuneralcare.com