GREENFIELD CENTER — Elliot J. Older, (Jim or Wheels) 84, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, with his loving family by his side. Jim was born March 17, 1938, to Elliot J. Older, Sr. and Enid B. (Baker) Older. He was a wonderful gentle soul.

Jim was a hard worker, sometimes working three jobs at a time. He worked for Hoffmans Garage, Ashton Ready Mix, Pallette Stone, Cottrell paper Co., Dave Wardell, and Coseo’s. Over the years he was a truck driver, mechanic, mail carrier, and two truck driver. Jim also served as the Town of Greenfield Highway Superintendent for many years. He was always ready to lend a helping hand.

He was predeceased by his wife of 65 years Doris, son Elliot J. Older, III and brother Neal Older. Jim is survived by his children Carol (Donald), Kevin (Tiffany), and Keith; grandchildren Jesse (Meyra), Darbe (Jaclyn), William (Amanda), Riley and Bryar; great grandchildren Wyatt, Wesley, Maysa, Fern and Amelia; siblings Evamae (Bill), Nancy (Jim), and Cliff (Bonnie); and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions in memory of Jim may be made to Middle Grove Fire Dept., PO Box 117, Middle Grove, NY 12850 or Estherville Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. June Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please include in memory of Jim Older with donation. Thank you to all.

The family would like to thank Jim’s sister-in-law, Mary, for being his lifesaver on so many levels. She and dad would hit the road going to many places. Miss Daisey, as we called her, would take him anywhere he wanted to go.

Online remembrances may be made at armerfuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — George B. VanWagner, 85, returned to the loving arms of his wife on November 11. 

He was born on December 20, 1936, in Saratoga Springs to the late Lyle and Florence (Stanford) VanWagner.

Left to cherish his memories is his daughter, Beth White-Hernandez and her husband Sonny; bonus daughter, Kim Mielke; grandchildren, Chad (Sarah) White, Tiffany (Sam) Sloan , Jayson (Jane) Richardson, Katie (Tom) Irish and Jessica Johnson; great-grandchildren, Dustin, Bethany, Justice, Lillian, Jenna , Jeffery, Jon, Samantha, Ethan, and Remington; great-great-granddaughter and little buddy, Ivana Lee Bushong; niece, Michelle Simpson; nephew, Scott Wardell; as well as many friends.

George is preceded in death  by his wife, Donna (Bunnell) VanWagner, the love of his life; parents Lyle and Florence (Stanford) VanWagner; and brothers, Lyle VanWagner and William VanWagner.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Saratoga Springs Police Department for the love and support that they have extended to the family at this time, being able to watch the force drive by his house in his last hour was such an honor.

George was an honorable man and will be cherished and missed forever. 

Family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m., Monday, November 21, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Compassionate Funeral Care. 

A graveside service will be held at Greenridge Cemetery, 17 Greenridge Place, Saratoga Springs  following the service. There will be a celebration of life at the Saratoga PBA range following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of George to The Saratoga PBA, P.O box 146 Saratoga Springs NY 12866.

For online condolences and to view the full obituary visit, www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

WILTON — William J. Flannery, age 83, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022, at home with his loved ones at his side. He was born on January 10, 1939, in Goshen, NY, the son of the late Thomas Flannery and Marjorie (Bailey) Flannery. 

William worked at Union IBEW 363 as a journeyman electrician. He learned his trade on aircraft carriers while in the Navy (1957-1962). He was also a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and a 64-year member of the Elks Club. 

William enjoyed golfing with his wife, family members, and his friends. He loved watching sports, particularly the Packers on Sunday afternoons. He loved traveling with friends and family, and as a huge Packers fan, some of his favorite visits were to Green Bay. Although shy, he loved socializing and meeting old and new friends. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Andrea; stepchildren; Staci Mannion (spouse Michael); Kelli Foley; and Michael Duff (spouse Jennifer). 

William is preceded in death by his son, Thomas Flannery. 

He loved visiting his daughter-in-law, Colleen and granddaughter, Tiffany Flannery Cleveland in Florida. In addition to Thomas, William also has three other children, William Flannery Jr., Sharon Flannery Barnes and Wendy Carswell, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Calling hours were held Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs. A celebration of life service followed.

For online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

It’s with a heavy heart to share that our beloved Ramon Miguel “Mike Hernandez” passed away Sunday, November 6. 

Mike Hernandez was New York’s oldest active trainer on the New York Racing Association circuit before retiring at age 87 in November of 2011.

Born in Union de San Antonio Jalisco, Mexico, on January 19, 1923, Mike first got into racing in 1944 when the Hipodromo de las Americas opened in Mexico City. He took out his trainer’s license in 1951 and after a prominent career in Mexico, moved permanently to the United States. With the help of mentors and friends like Cecil Locklear, Laz Barrera, Pancho Martin, Mike got his start managing Clermont Farms in Germantown, NY before opening a public stable of his own in 1976. 

In partnership with owner Dominick DeLuke, Mike brought New York breds to the forefront of racing, with stakes winners like Fratello Ed, Sir Prove It and Vandy Sue, who won the New York Breeders’ Futurity and Finger Lakes Futurity in 1976, during his first full year of training in the U.S. and gave him his lone graded stakes victory in the 1978 Distaff at Aqueduct. 

His other stakes winners include Classic Pack, Adirondack Holme, Artistic Express, Beautiful America and so many more. “It was the horses, always the horses,” Mike said. “I always loved them and loved the farm. My life has been with animals. It hasn’t been easy but thank God we’ve been lucky to do the best we can.”  

In his last year of training, Mike left Saratoga on closing day with a winner, Tug of War, co-owned with his close friend Jeffery Raine and trained by his mentee and longtime friend, the late Domonic Galluscio. “New York breds were his specialty. I was lucky to just be around the guy for the last fifteen years of his life,” Raine said. 

According to Daily Racing Form statistics, he won 603 races from 5,419 starters, and his horses earned $18.8 million in purse money in the U.S. alone. 

He left this world peacefully surrounded by his family. “We played Call to Post, we told him it was ‘riders up’ while singing his favorite songs,” his family said. They brought Mike’s body on Sunday afternoon to Saratoga and barn 76 where Mike had been stabled for years. He gave us a beautiful sunset for his last “race” on the Oklahoma training track. 

If there’s one word to describe Mike, it’s magical. For anyone lucky enough to have met him, they would tell you how special he was. He had a kind heart and made friends wherever he went. Everyone knew Mike. 

“Whenever we’d take Dad to the track, we heard endless stories about him starting careers and helping so many families without asking for anything in return. He was selfless and found happiness in other peoples’ achievements,” said his daughters. 

He worked hard, he was honest and authentic. He served as a moral compass for his family and friends. His tenacity, strength, heart, and humor will transcend through those he leaves behind. He was our angel here on earth.

Mike is survived by his wife of seventy-one years, Mary; his three daughters, Teresa (Charles) Schirmer, Cathalene Hagney and Mary (George) Segarra; his son Michael Bowles; his four sisters, Lupe, Amparo, Carmen and Matilde; his brother Carlos; over one hundred nieces and nephews. 

What a beautiful race, Mike. We’ll see you at the winner’s circle. 

A Celebration of life for Mike will be held at the Saratoga Racetrack, summer of 2023.