GANSEVOORT — Ella Elizabeth Dixon Sampson, 88, peacefully passed away May 17, 2025. Calling hours are 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. on May 29 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, with a funeral service at 12 p.m. Burial following, at 1:30 p.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Avril Beveridge (née Waddington) died peacefully on May 13 after a brief illness.
A celebration of Avril’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Burke Funeral Home of 628 North Broadway. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
Saratoga Springs, NY — Jeffrey Charles Pugh passed away comfortably in the Saratoga Hospital ICU on Friday morning May 16, 2025. He was 49.
Best known for his compassion, kindness and humor; he never failed to put a smile on one’s face. His passions were a long open road ride on his Indian motorcycle and to buy, fix and resell cars and motorcycles. He loved wheeling and dealing and he held a special love of dogs.
After graduating from Saratoga High School, class of ‘93, Jeff went on to study mortuary science. His journey continued as private security at Jamesway, The Eddy Senior Living facility and eventually in the home of MaryLou Whitney. She adored Jeff as he did her.
Jeff started his own water testing business, Jeff Pugh LLC, as a NYS licensed Grade C water operator for public water distribution systems which he ran for almost 20 years and up to the time of his death. Jeff proudly serviced many area mobile home parks ensuring residents had safe water.
Jeff was predeceased by his father Paul Pugh Sr.; his uncle Fr. Neil Draves- Arpaia and his dearly loved “doggins” Dewd and Reggie.
He is survived by his mother Nadine Draves; brother Paul Pugh (Stacy); nephew Jordan and niece Julia; his sister Sarah Attanasio and niece Adelyn of Cobleskill.
This is Jeff’s message to all his family and friends:
“I am at peace. I am free. I am where I need to be.
We are all spiritual beings having a human experience.
Thank you all for your love and kindness. Do not hold heavy hearts for me. Please celebrate my return to our true heavenly home.
Eat, drink and be merry in memory of me. I will be with you in spirit. Look for the signs.
Peace be with you.”
Jeff
At his request, services will be private.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
SCOTIA — Victor Santiago, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gary J. Famiano passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025. Born in Saratoga Springs on February 18, 1945, he was the son of the late Anthony A. Sr. and Margaret (Bencivenga) Famiano.
Gary graduated from Saratoga Springs High School, class of 1963. He worked for Farone’s as a bookkeeper and for Jamesway in the accounting office until joining WalMart’s accounting office until his retirement in 2017.
Along with his parents, Gary is predeceased by his niece Wendy Leigh Famiano as well as many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his sister Denene and her husband Bob Carso; his brother Anthony Famiano, Jr.; his cherished nieces and nephews Shawna Tousignant (Frank Caputo), Rob Carso (Meghan) and Michael Famiano (Andrea); and his great niece Madison Tousignant (Michael Ortale, Jr.) and great nephew Noah Tousignant.
The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Wesley Health Center- Hathorn 3rd Floor who took such good care of him. They will miss him. Also the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at Saratoga Hospital who provided the best care for him during his last days. Lastly, and very importantly Dr. Kevin Dooley who has been a huge part of the great and special care that Gary received.
Relatives and friends were invited to call from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, May 15, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 16 at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Gary’s name to St. Jude’s in Memphis, TN, the American Diabetes Association, or the American Cancer Association.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
BALLSTON SPA — Joseph C Rowny, 74, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025 surrounded by his family. Per Joe’s request, there will be no calling hours or services. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — John Peter Grzegorzyk, 66 aka “The General” passed away on May 11, 2025. Calling hours are 5 – 7 p.m., on May 19, at Burke Funeral Home. Mass is at 12 p.m., on May 20, at St. Clement’s Church, followed by burial in St. Peters Cemetery. Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.
MIDDLE GROVE — Edna (Stein) Lake, 79, passed away in Saratoga, on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, surrounded in love by her family. A funeral home service is at 11 A.M. on Friday, May 16, officiated by Rabbi Ilana Symons of Temple Sinai, at Burke Funeral Home. Please visit www.burkefuneralhome.com.
Saratoga Springs — Jeff Hazard (80) died peacefully surrounded by his brother and sister on May 5, 2025. He is predeceased by his parents, Victor and Marion (Snyder), and is survived by his loving siblings Jimmy Hazard (Mary Jo), Mary Jane Anderson (Frank), John Hazard (Dorothy), Joseph Hazard (Debra), Alice Dennis (Gary), Michael Hazard (Tammy), and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jeff graduated from St. Peter’s Academy, where he was widely considered one of the top basketball athletes in the state of NY. During his tenure, Jeff held the section II record with 1,275 career points, and had a game high of 50 that stood for decades. Jeff led the Saints through several winning seasons during his storied high school career.
Because of his basketball talent and academic abilities, Jeff was recruited by several top schools including Kentucky, Wake Forest, Canisius, (who was in the finals of the NIT that year). Jeff chose St. Bonaventure University and was awarded one of their (only four) full 4-year athletic scholarships.
At that time in the mid 60’s St. Bonaventure’s basketball teams were nationally ranked. Jeff had many highlights in his college career including 29 points against Quincy, and the winning basket at Madison Square Garden as time expired against Fairfield. He is an inductee of both St. Peter’s (SCC) and St. Bonaventure’s Hall of Fame.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Jeff earned a Master’s degree in English, and another Master’s degree in Education. He was a widely acclaimed, and hugely popular teacher at Oswego Valley High School. Jeff also enjoyed putting on plays with students – his favorite being Romeo and Juliet.
During his retirement, Jeff enjoyed reading the classics like Shakespeare and Merton, handicapping horse races, and taking walks in the state park.
He will be missed. Good-bye Goose. HONK! HONK!
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the 2-Springs and 5-Springs staff at Wesley Nursing Home, as well as to all the Hospice staff that assisted in Jeff’s extraordinary care. We appreciate their love, patience, and compassion.
At Jeff’s request, there will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes (518-584-5373).
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 15th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Saratoga Springs.
Memorial donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to The Community Hospice Foundation, Gift Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
WILTON — Carol Ann Conklin (Pilchen) reluctantly left this Earth on April 17, 2025 at the age of 83, surrounded by her family. She is now in the smoking section of the sky with endless coca-colas and her greatest love of all, her husband of nearly 64 years, Carl.
She will be dearly missed by her children: Carl Conklin (Nancy), Jeff Conklin (Allyson), Jennifer Nichols (Michael), Debra Schubert (Richard); grandchildren: Tiffany, Zachary (Christina), Kristen (Michael), Rinnieco, Katie, Erika (Cody), Elizabeth (Chris), Nicholas, Cheyenne (Chris) and Joshua (Roshi); great-grandchildren: Marnie, Dane, Isabel, Sebastian, Gavin, Bella, Ziggy, Ryder, Gerah, River, Ezrah, Wesson, Journie, Oliver, Kieran, Declan, Imogen; her brother Michael DeRocker (Heather), her sister Kimberly DeRocker, sister-in-law Donna Conklin, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Carl Conklin; her mother, Audrey DeRocker; her stepfather, Harold DeRocker; her father, Robert Pilchen; her sisters, Sheila Pilchen and Diane Perry; her brother, Robert Pilchen; her brother-in-law, William Conklin; and her in-laws, Carl and Ruth Conklin.
Born in Amsterdam, New York, Carol (Nana) was the rock of her family and dedicated her life to creating a loving home for the entire family. She raised her children and the generations to follow, with patience, grace, and love. She overcame all obstacles with those same traits. While Carol often said, “my husband was the stoic one,” it was her, always her, that quietly persevered with nary a complaint. Carol was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, tennis, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, to name just a few. She had a vast knowledge of music, sports, and literature and was a closet poet, sharing her work with only a select few.
A celebration of Carol’s life is scheduled for June 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, NY.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the very caring people of Palliative and Hospice Care who took such great care of her (Mitch, Chaplain Tom, Jill, Melanie, Kawana, Tammy and Karen).
Donations can be made in Carol’s memory to Doctors Without Borders, The Community Hospice of Saratoga County, or a charity dear to your heart.
Arrangements are under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
