SARATOGA SPRINGS —Mr. Ralph William Grasso Jr., age 91, of 10 Oak St, Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 29, 2024, at Saratoga Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family at the time of his passing.

Ralph was born on November 29, 1933 in Saratoga Springs, NY. He attended St. Peter’s Academy from kindergarten until his graduation in 1951. He joined the Air Force, attended Basic Training at Sampson in Geneva, NY and served in Mississippi, Korea, Japan and Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY. In February 1957, Ralph married Delores A. Blanchard of Rome, NY. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Ralph and Delores resided in Saratoga Springs, NY from 1957 until the time of his death. While working for GE, he took a leave of absence and attended Hudson Valley Technical Institute, graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree. Ralph returned to GE and worked at their Knolls Atomic Power Facility until his retirement in 1991. Not one to sit still, Ralph then took over his father’s Italian Ice business and became known as “Lemon Ice” for many years. A true joy in his life was seeing children and watching them grow and then bringing their own children to enjoy a lemon ice.

Ralph was a lifelong faithful communicant of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church.

He was predeceased in death by his parents Ralph Grasso, Sr. and Christine (Cappello) Grasso; his infant brother Joseph (1931); his brother Joseph Victor (2007) and his granddaughter Camille Isabel (1997).

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years Delores; daughters Christine (David) Lewis of Saratoga Springs, NY; Sharon Grasso (John Wason) of Flagstaff, AZ; Mary Grasso of St. Augustine, FL; and sons Ralph III (Carol) of Ballston Spa, NY and Michael of S. Glens Falls, NY; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Ralph enjoyed trying to “fix/improve” anything he got his hands on, anything from toys to electronics to appliances to snowblowers. Not always successfully! He did not believe in the wise proverb “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Ralph was a member of the Eagles and R.E.A.C. Club, Post 35 of the Italian American War Veterans, Principessa Elena Society, Post 420 of the VFW and Chapter 60 of the Korean War Veterans. Ralph was known for his dry wit, loved to entertain, play bocce, cards and march in parades as a proud Korean War Veteran. He was also an avid camper with his trusty Holiday Rambler trailer and, beginning in 1965, his family of 7 spent many summers camping and having great fun.

In accordance with his wishes, Ralph has donated his earthly body to science with the hope that doctors might improve existing medical procedures or discover and develop new and better procedures to give his family and humankind a chance for an improved quality of life.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. A funeral home service will be held at 1 p.m. Burial with military honors will take place at the family plot in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave., Saratoga Springs. Reception following at the Principessa Elena Society.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

May 1, 1951 – October 21, 2024

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Born May 1, 1951 in Buffalo, New York as the first of four children to the late Edna May (neé Cochrane) and Arthur Richard Willman, Dean passed away after a short illness in Delmar, New York late Monday night, October 21, 2024.

Dean was a 1969 graduate of Smithville High School (Smithville, Ohio) and briefly attended Asbury College (now Asbury University) in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Having lived in Wooster, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, and Sandusky, Ohio, he had resided in Saratoga Springs, New York since 2005.

Dean belonged to the Abundant Life Church in Saratoga Springs, New York, where each summer he loved volunteering at their Adventure Camp and attending as many of the church functions as possible.

He loved playing pool at the senior center three times a week and enjoyed his walks around the town.

Dean was predeceased by his parents and grandparents Grace Hattie (neé Rowland) and Archie Len Cochrane and Karolina (neé Trendel) and Josef Willman, along with all his aunts and uncles. 

Dean is survived by his son, Jeremy (Missy) Stillwagner of Jacksonville, Texas; four grandsons (Jeremy Jr., Noah, Daniel, Micah); along with his brothers Don (Teri) of Brooksville, Florida; sister Martha (partner Scott) of Akron, Mentor, Ohio; nephew Christopher Willman-Bunge of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; brother Dale of  Delmar, New York; niece Elana Willman of Troy, New York; nephew Adam Willman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and long term pen pal and friend Tommy Westerlund from Sweden; along with so many more friends and cousins. 

Dean had a big heart, and he meant the world to those left to cherish his memory. He was kind and loving and will truly be missed.

Memorial donations may be made in Dean’s name to your local humane society or to the Saratoga Springs Abundant Life Church, 2 Hutchins Rd, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO — Shirley Alice (Ross) Griffin, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and beloved friend, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old.

Born on January 6, 1936, in Glens Falls, New York, Shirley was the youngest of thirteen children born to the late Jeremiah Ross and Harriet (Bessette) Ross. She was predeceased by all her siblings but one, leaving behind her sister, Isabell (Ross) Woodcock.

Shirley’s life was defined by love, faith, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was a proud military wife who, alongside her husband Charles Henry Griffin Jr., embraced the challenges and adventures of military life. Throughout his 21-year career, Shirley moved with Charles to 15 military bases, including an overseas assignment in Japan. Shirley always joined the Family Readiness Groups and taught Sunday schools at each base. Their shared journey was one of deep commitment and service to each other and their country. After Charles retired from the military, they settled in Upstate New York, where they raised their family and established lifelong roots. In 1994, Shirley was treated for and survived breast cancer.

Shirley was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, Charles Henry Griffin Jr. Together, they shared a life rich in love, laughter, and memories. She is survived by her children: Charles Mark Griffin (Cheryl), Valerie Griffin Gilchrist, and Gregory Scott Griffin (Joanie). Shirley was the proud and adoring grandmother of twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, each of whom she cherished deeply. Her legacy lives on through them, and she will be remembered as a pillar of strength, creativity, and grace.

Shirley’s compassion extended far beyond her family. She touched the lives of countless friends and acquaintances with her kindness, generosity, and warmth. Her legacy of love and care will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Shirley enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, crafting, painting, sewing, and quilting.

Shirley’s life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and family. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will remain forever in the hearts of those who loved her.

A memorial and burial service is scheduled on June 21, 2025, with arrangements made by Compassionate Funeral Care. Further details can be found at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com. 

Memorial donations may be made to: www.ToLife.org: a support and education charity that provides for those affected by breast cancer in New York’s Capital Region.

BURNT HILLS — Janelle M. Lisney, 44, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, in Burnt Hills, where she resided with her loving partner, Steve Hoffman, and their cherished dogs, Quincy and Lacey.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Janelle was the beloved daughter of Paul Lisney and Angela Hether.

Janelle had a creative spirit and found joy in painting, coloring, and spending time with her dogs. Her greatest happiness came from being with her family, especially her beloved children, whom she held so close to her heart.

She is survived by her parents, Paul Lisney and Angela Hether; her children, Joshua Warland, Taylor Warland, and Heidi Warland; her sister, Shelby Lisney; her nieces, Madyson Lisney and Giuliana Gaggi; her nephew, Joseph Gaggi; and her grandmother, Annette Burns. Janelle is also survived by many extended family members across New York, Maryland, and Wisconsin.

A spring burial will be held to honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janelle’s name to Friends of Saratoga County Animal Shelter at www.friendsofscas.org.

Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com