Victor Santiago
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.
Gary J. Famiano
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.
Joseph C Rowny
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.
John Peter Grzegorzyk
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.
Edna (Stein) Lake
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.
Jeffrey D. Hazard
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
Carol Ann Conklin (Pilchen)
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
Janelle M. Lisney
BURNT HILLS — Janelle M. Lisney, passed away December 10, 2020. Family and friends are invited to gather on May 16, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs, NY. A funeral service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.
Patricia Ann Yager (McGee) (Hedge) Ritchie
THE VILLAGES, FL — Patricia Ann Yager (McGee) (Hedge) Ritchie passed away on October 3, 2024 in The Villages, Florida. She was born on September 25,1942 in Greenfield, NY, the daughter of Mildred Burton and Francis (Holly) Drew.
A proud graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1962, Pat pursued her passion for hairstyling at Royal Beauty and Barber in Schenectady, NY. She built a successful career as a talented hairdresser and stylist, beginning with a salon attached to her home in Greenfield, NY. In 1980, she relocated her business to Saratoga Springs, and after a decade, she constructed a new building on Ballston Avenue, where she combined her home and business. She continued to serve her loyal clients there until her retirement in 2005, after which she moved to The Villages, Florida. Even in retirement, Pat continued to do what she loved, working part-time at Cal’s Barber Shop. She worked up until the day she passed.
Pat had a vibrant spirit and a love for life. She was always impeccably dressed and had a special fondness for Halloween, playing golf, and spending time with her children and family. She had a way of making every moment special, and her warmth and humor left a lasting impact on everyone she met.
She is survived by her son, Kent B. Hedge (Dorota) of Clearwater, FL; her brother, Nelson Yager (Linda), and sister, Holly Drew (Don Roy), both of Saratoga Springs, NY; seven cherished grandchildren, niece and nephew, Kristina (Richard), Brett (Sarah), Tyler (Kelsey), Sydney, Garrett, Melodie and Alek; her daughter-in-law, Susan Hedge and her former husband Thomas Hedge and her lifelong friend and “partner in crime,” Paula Carr.
Pat was preceded in death by her beloved son, Keith B. Hedge and her loving husband Robert Ritchie who recently passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025.
Family and friends are invited to calling hours from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY. A graveside service will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, 3035 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
A celebration of life will follow at the American Legion, 34 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Arrangements are under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
Donna M. Schneider
CORINTH — Donna M. Schneider, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Donna will be laid to rest with her husband on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.