SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dennis P. Murphy, 72 passed April 22, 2023. Calling hours, 4-7 p.m., 5/5/2023 at Burkes. Graveside service at 10 a.m., 5/6/2023 at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Schuylerville (41 Burgoyne St, Schuylerville, NY). Memorial donations to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (www.jdrf.org/donate) or St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (www.sjci.com/apps/pages/givetoday) Full obit: www.burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Delia Faiola, 84, passed 4/24/2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Calling hours were held May 1 at Burkes. Mass of Christian Burial was 5/2 at St. Clement’s followed by burial in Greenridge Cemetery. Memorial donations: Saratoga Cancer Patient Fund, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs. www.burkefuneralhome.com
REXFORD — Patricia (Pat) A. DeMento of Coburg Village, Rexford, NY (and formerly of Saratoga Springs) was peacefully called to the Lord on April 26, 2023, surrounded by her adoring family.
Born in Albany, NY on December 11, 1941, to Florence & Raul Bastiani, Pat was lovingly raised by her paternal grandparents Evangeline and Bruno Bastiani. She was pre-deceased by her dear Aunt Virginia Bastiani.
Pat is survived by her three children, Kirsten (James Holmes) DeMento, Michele (Timothy) Haynam, and Michael (Amanda) DeMento; and five grandchildren, Tabor, Hunter, Michael III, Jake, and John. Collectively, they will miss her unconditional love, laughter, courage, and encouragement. Pat will be greatly missed by Sharon Fischer (Mike DeSorbo), Patrick Fischer, Tiffany (Robert) Krawiecki, and great-grandchildren Reese and Harper Krawiecki. She is pre-deceased by Roger Fischer.
Pat graduated from Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School of Albany, and from St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Troy, becoming an RN. She later earned her B.S. degree in Health & Community Service from the State University of New York.
While raising her three children, Pat successfully maintained a full-time career initially as an RN and nurse educator (sixteen years), and then led a remarkable 40-year career in Interior Design. She began at Mayfair Home Furnishings, then Stickley Audi & Company. Pat then established Moose Creek Ltd., with her business partner and friend Stephen Momrow. Together they designed award-winning interiors for over 17 years. She also served on the board of the Interior Design Society and as a steward for Great Camp Sagamore (Raquette Lake).
In the 1990s, Pat began ballroom dancing, which is where she met and fell in love with her best friend, devoted companion, and soulmate, Robert (Bob) Fisher. She and Bob spent 24 years combining their love of dance and travel. Pat and Bob were able to visit Australia, Croatia, Columbia, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Russia, and the many islands of the Caribbean. Bob was her unfailing primary caregiver during her illness, for which she was blessed. Together they served on the board of the United States American Ballroom Dance Association (Capital District Chapter) and The Cotillion (a ballroom dinner dance club).
Pat was devoted to her Catholic faith, using prayer to fortify her strength. She believed in helping others and was a volunteer for the Homeless Action Committee in Albany, where she also served on the board (now Joseph’s House and Shelter).
Pat will be remembered for her kindness, a heart full of love, humor, thoughtfulness, strength, compassion, wisdom, and storytelling. She possessed innovative design skills that created beauty in many homes. Her friends and family will smile when reminiscing about her ability to sing little silly ditties on the spur of the moment, her signature call of “wooohooo” to greet others and her overall generosity.
Pat and her family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Women’s Cancer Center of Albany, especially Dr. Patrick Timmons and Saratoga Hospice who went above and beyond to comfort her.
The funeral Mass was held on Monday, May 1 at St. Edward the Confessor, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, NY. Public interment was at Calvary Cemetery, 481 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY, 12077. Those who wish to remember Pat in a special way may do so by donating to Joseph’s House and Shelter, 74 Ferry Street, Troy, NY, 12180. To leave a special message for the family online visit NewComerAlbany.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — William (Bill) Carhart, died April 28. Calling hours are 2 – 4 p.m. May 7 at Compassionate Funeral Care. A funeral service will be 11 a.m., May 8 at Compassionate Funeral Care followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. in Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery. For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — DODD, Ralph P., age 91, of Saratoga Springs and Belmar, NJ (formerly of Hackensack) died April 26, 2023.
Ralph was born and raised in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Answering the call for his country, he interrupted his studies at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA., to enlist in the Marine Corp. during the Korean War. He was quietly very proud of his combat service in Korea. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Barbara (Strauss). He was discharged in 1954, where they took up residence in Hackensack, NJ. He completed his education at night on the GI bill at Seton Hall University obtaining a BS in Business Administration and earning his MBA in Finance at Fairleigh Dickinson University. During the days he was co-founder of International Controls Corp. (ICC), originally designers and manufacturers of valves and pressure switches. By 1972, ICC had grown to more than 7,200 employees, 17 operating divisions, and its stock traded on the American Stock Exchange. He resigned from the company in 1973 and purchased a seat and retail firm on the NY Stock Exchange. Although successful, he yearned for “getting his hands dirty and making something,” as he would say. In 1979, he left the financial world to purchase Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD), a designer and manufacturer of electro-mechanical devices containing explosives for both power and speed. The products he manufactured became mainstays for the US Military on missiles, rockets, ships, aircraft and torpedoes.
Twenty years later, having grown CAD six-fold, he sold his company to a major US firm based in Missouri. He remained President of the company until moving with his wife to Saratoga Springs in 2008. He remained very active as CAD’s Chairman of the Board of Directors until finally retiring in 2017 at the age of 86. Concurrently, he was President and co-owner of Encasa International, a precious metal recoverer based in Costa Rica and active throughout Central America. He was an inventor, having a patent on an explosive bolt used in military and commercial applications. Ralph was a proud and popular member of the NJ Football Officials Association officiating two games every season weekend of his 10-year membership, and often lectured on his specialty position, Head Linesman. He had been a member of the Englewood, Rockaway and Hackensack Golf Clubs. He was head usher at Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack for many years. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (2017) and his daughter, Diane (2013). He is survived by his sons, Robert (Bobby) and wife, Terri, of Bradley Beach, NJ; and Dr. Gregory and wife, Vicki of Saratoga Springs; five Grandchildren; Melissa, Emily and husband Mark, Erika, Zach and fiancé Michele and Kelsey. Great-Grandchildren Ceara, Josephine, Vincent and one more on the way in May.
Semper Fi.
Relatives and Friends gathered to remember him on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, Saratoga Springs, and on May 1, 2023 at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union St., Hackensack, NJ. A Funeral Home Service will be conducted at the Gentile Funeral Home followed by burial in George Washington Memorial Cemetery. A Repass will follow for all callers.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Claire M. Styczynski, died May 1st. Calling hours are 5 – 7 p.m. May 5 at Compassionate Funeral Care, Saratoga Springs, NY. A graveside service will be at 10:15 a.m., on May 6 Memory Gardens Cemetery, 983 Watervliet Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12205. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
AMSTERDAM — With great sorrow, the Desautels family announces the passing of our brave, caring and unimaginably generous Robert A. Desautels, Jr. Robert fought long and hard for over 15 months after a brain cancer diagnosis.
Robert (Bob) was born in Albany, NY on November 4, 1969. He grew up in Saratoga Springs, playing basketball, football, riding bikes and enjoying time with friends. He graduated from Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, NY and then Emerson College in Boston, MA.
Before his diagnosis, Bob owned a State Farm Agency in Rotterdam, NY. His goal was to make Insurance Fun. Anyone who was a client or visited his office can attest that he achieved this goal.
He is survived by his loving wife, Angel Desautels; children, Nicholas (wife Kelsey), Ryan and Rachael Desautels; stepson Aidan Schell; grandmother, Helen Trivelas; mother, Lillian Desautels; sister, Nika Desautels-Schena; as well as beloved nieces, Megan and Emily Schena; cherished pets Chloe and Ollie; and many dear friends and acquaintances.
Bob was a beautiful person inside and out. His smile was so infectious that it would light up the whole room. He cared so deeply for the people around him. He was kind and passionate and made an impact on many lives. He will be forever missed.
Bob, our hearts ache with loss but we are happy that you are home free and painless. We will always love and miss you… until we meet again.
Relatives and friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, April 30 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373) followed directly by a funeral home service.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of ‘Robert Desautels’ to support brain cancer research at dana-farber.org/gift (Please note Robert’s name to ensure donation goes to brain cancer research).
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
SCHUYLERVILLE — Mary Kohler, age 61, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Saratoga Hospital with her family by her side. At the family’s request there will be no calling hours or service at this time. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Leslie Kathleen Thiele, 70, of Schenectady died April 23, 2023, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. There will be a memorial service for Leslie at a later date. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michelle Brennan, 49, passed away April 19. Visitation: 5 – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28 at Burke Funeral Home, N. Broadway. Mass: 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Long Lake, NY followed by burial in Long Lake Cemetery. Remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
