SARATOGA SPRINGS —Gilbert Booth Mattson Jr., 94, passed away on November 18, 2024.  Booth had a long and adventurous life filled with family, laughter and love.  He was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree and was a 1st Lieutenant in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps.  Booth who was born in Philadelphia, worked for Scott Paper Co. for 22 yrs, and went on to own his own business designing and distributing hydraulic parts.  Booth loved bird hunting, golf, travel and his latest passion of carving wooden birds.  He will always be remembered for his quick wit and sly grin.  Booth is survived by his wife Joan Mattson, his 3 daughters Sally, Deborah, and Lynnie, his 3 stepsons John, Greg, and Don and 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  No services are planned at this time.

ALBANY — William J. Sarro, Jr., 35, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at St. Peter’s Hospital, surrounded by his loving family and his father who never left his bedside.

Born on November 6, 1989, in Palm Beach, FL, Will was the cherished son of William J. Sarro, Sr., and Jo-Ann Barody Sarro.

An avid outdoorsman, Will found joy in hunting and fishing, spending many peaceful moments in nature with his cousin Anthony. He was known for his signature Lucky Strike Red 100s, a cold bottle of Mountain Dew and his sharp style he took pride in. He had constant companions that matched his easygoing unique personality and infectious humor that could easily light up a room. Will was a loving uncle, brother and son who cherished his niece Jemma, sister Nikki and father William deeply. 

Will is survived by his father, William J. Sr.; his sisters, Nikki Sarro (John Parker) and Natasha Sarro; his niece Jemma Parker; his grandmothers, Benetta Sarro and Carol-Ann Esner. He also leaves behind many loving aunts, including Desire Slone (Louis), Carol-Ann Dooley (Blain), Kim Hope (Jim), Shauna Simmons (Jason), Michaelene Seabridge, Loretta Sarro, Mary Sarro, Heidi Sarro and Deborah Brenenstuhl with cousins Jason and Christina; and his uncles, Edward Sarro (Jeaene) and Thomas Jones (Darlene).  As well as a host of dear friends and loving cousins who will miss him greatly.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jo-Ann Barody Sarro; his uncle, Patrick Sarro; his aunt, Trish Diaz; his grandfathers, Pat Sarro and Irv Esner; his grandmother, Ann Marie Lenahan- Sarro.

We want to give a special thanks to his care givers Lindsey (Dunea) and Michaelene who were his “special angels” and stepped in in a time of need up till the very end. His family can’t thank them enough. Also thank you to his Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ed who covered the remaining balance to make sure Wills wishes were carried out. 

In accordance with the family’s wishes, no calling hours or services will be held at this time.

Arrangements are under the care of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc., 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

GREENFIELD CENTER —It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Ann E. Cornell, 91, loving mother, sister, granny, great granny, aunt, and friend after a long illness that she courageously battled. 

She was born in Ballston Spa, New York on September 1, 1933, to Henry and Mabel Robinson. She was a 1950 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. Ann was a nurse’s aide at Saratoga Hospital and the St. John Neuman Residence. She served as the Town of Greenfield Tax Collector for 25 years.

Ann bowled in a Monday morning league for many years and was a member and past president of Greenfield Seniors. She enjoyed traveling to visit her family and friends. She was proud of her family and was the 6th generation to live in the family homestead on South Greenfield Road.

She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Mabel Robinson, husband Donald Cornell, sons Don and Duane, and brother Gary Robinson. Ann is survived by her sister Jane Huffer (Ken), children Donna Wescoat (Tom), Kevin Cornell (Cindy), Karen Cornell, Keith Cornell (Kathleen), and Steven Cornell (Jeanenne), daughter-in-law Marge Cornell, 13 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. A service will be held at 12 p.m. Burial will follow in the Factory Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Ann may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Duane Cornell Scholarship Fund at the Adirondack Trust Co.

Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Margie Helm Van Meter passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, surrounded by her family at her longtime residence in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Margie was born on September 7, 1932, the youngest of four children of John Blakey Helm and Catherine Burge Helm. Margie grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended the Louisville Collegiate School.  She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954.  Soon after graduation, Margie married her husband of 70 years, Robert Van Meter.  Margie and Bob were blessed with two children, Bob and Nancy.  

After her children left for college, Margie earned a master’s degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany and embarked on a new career.  She served for two decades as a senior staff member in the New York State Senate focused on childcare issues, including many years working for Mary Goodhue, who chaired the Senate childcare committee.  Margie took great satisfaction from her success working across the aisle to pass over a dozen bills improving child welfare and expanding childcare for New York families and children.

Upon retirement, Margie deepened her lifelong commitment to community activism.  She served on the Saratoga Springs Charter Commission and was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Concurrently, Margie was a board member for the Planned Parenthood for Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties. She was also active in the Westside neighborhood and for several years she led neighborhood tours for the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.  Margie mentored young women who were first-generation college students at Empire State College.  Margie was a leader in the League of Women Voters for more than fifty years starting in 1961 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Margie was an active member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Saratoga Springs and served as an Elder of the church. 

Margie was always interested both in her community and the larger world around her. As an adult learner, she took a variety of courses and participated in numerous book clubs. She also enjoyed traveling.  Among other places that she visited with her children and grandchildren were Beijing, China, Paris, France, Havana, Cuba, Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. 

Margie is survived by her husband, her son Bob Van Meter and his wife Pam Nourse, her daughter Nancy Van Meter and her husband Jeff Eagan, grandchildren Becky Dowgun and her husband Neil, Patrick Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Rebecca Salzman, Abby Nourse Van Meter and her husband Ian Benton, Ben Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Fabiola Gutierrez, Margie’s brother Joe Helm and his wife Sissy, and her brother-in-law Woodford Van Meter and his wife Dorothy. In addition, Margie is survived by great-grandchildren Valerie, Jesse, and Silas, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Margie is predeceased by her parents John Blakey Helm and Catherine Helm, her sister Kitty Hartnett, and brother Jack Helm.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, www.lwvsaratoga.org

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (584-5373).

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

FONDA — Curtiss Bruno, 83, of Old Trail Road, affectionately known as Curty, died peacefully Thursday at his residence. 

He was born in Schenectady and lived most of his life in Gansevoort. He was a former resident of Clifton Park, but spent his final years in Fonda, NY. 

Curty was mentally handicapped but lived his life to the fullest. He was surrounded by a loving support group of family and friends. Curty loved spending his days outside on the porch watching the wildlife, listening to records on his Victrola and in his earlier years riding his tricycle. 

He was predeceased by his Father, Chauncey Bruno, in 1977, Mother Lauretta Bruno, in 2001, Brother Arnold Bruno, in 2013 and Stepsister Lois Bruno in 2014. 

He is survived by his Sister-in-law Cathe Bruno and his nephew, Jeff Bruno and family of Wilton, NY. Private family services will be held on November 15 at 1 p.m. The burial will be at Jonesville Cemetery, in Jonesville, NY.

For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com