DEATH OF A KIND, LOYAL SALESMAN.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Christian Mathiesen, Jr., 99, passed away on October 28, 2022 at the Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs. Mr. Mathiesen was born on March 13, 1923 in Albany, NY, the second son of Christian Mathiesen, Sr., a civil engineer who had emigrated from Stavanger, Norway and Lola Federlein, a performance artist who had been raised in Buffalo. 

After his parents’ divorce, he was raised primarily in his father’s household. He was educated in the Albany Academy. After graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps. He served during World War II until being honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant.

Chris’ step-father, Wilson Codling, had given him a part-time job in the Tobin Packing Company beef cooler while he was in high school. After returning from the war, Chris began working full time at Tobin where he gradually transitioned to the sales department.

In 1949, while attending a wedding, Chris met the beautiful Peggy Ann McCormack, a recent graduate of the College of St. Rose and the senior class Rose Queen. After an intense courtship, they were married in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany on January 7, 1950.

In the spring of 1954, Chris and Peg moved from Albany to Saratoga Springs with their three young children where Chris took over the Tobin Packing sales territory. Though sad to leave so many friends and relatives back in Albany, both Peg and Chris were welcomed into the Saratoga Springs community and made many new, lifelong friends. They soon welcomed two more daughters to their home at 89 Fifth Avenue.

Chris represented the Tobin Packing Company in Saratoga County for many years and eventually retired as a salesman for Polascek Farms. After retirement, he and Peg spent winters in Venice, FL. They enjoyed many years as members of the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club where Chris played golf whenever he could. He was recently cited as a 65-year member of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club. After converting to Peggy’s religion late in life, he became a faithful communicant of St. Clement’s Church.

Chris was devoted to his parents, his wife and children, his extended family, friends and sales customers. Peggy Ann was the love of his life. Chris cared for her during her final years as she suffered from Alzheimers. They had been married for nearly 65 years. He was a kind and generous man, one of the last survivors of the Greatest Generation.

Chris was pre-deceased by his parents, his wife, his two brothers Jack Mathiesen and Frank Codling, and his sister Nancy Fraser. He is survived by his sister Diane Bartlett and his sister-in-law Marcia Codling, his son Christian E Mathiesen DMD (Fran), his daughters Pamela Pasciucco (Dr. Peter), Mary Ellen Mathiesen-Tyrrell (Bernie), Anne Macrae (Mike) and Karen Tobin (Craig) as well as twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. All are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial which will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place after the service in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

Contributions in Mr. Mathiesen’s memory can be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. 

Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com

POWAY, CA — Frederick David Kuenzel, 90, passed away on September 25, 2022, at his residence in Poway, CA. 

Fred was born on September 1, 1932, in Port Jervis, NY to Louise Schultz Kuenzel and Charles Kuenzel. When Fred was a young child, his family moved to Saratoga Springs, NY.

Upon graduation from Saratoga Springs High School in 1950, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for two years during the Korean War.

After his service in the Air Force, Fred attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. He later earned his master’s degree in Control Systems at UCSD.

In 1958, Fred married Carol Jerome Wicks of Canton, NY. They moved to Poway, CA in 1962 where they raised their three daughters Sarah, Beth, and Kathy. The family was active in the Community Church of Poway where Fred served as moderator. Fred was an avid runner. In the 1970’s and 80’s, he could frequently be seen running along the roads and trails throughout Poway. He ran many marathons in different locations around the country, including the Boston Marathon. Fred enjoyed traveling to national parks in his motorhome with Carol, where he had memorable experiences, such as climbing Half Dome in Yosemite and running to the base of the Grand Canyon and back up to the rim. He also enjoyed summer trips visiting friends and family in his hometown of Saratoga Springs.

Fred was an electrical engineer and joined General Dynamics in 1960 where he spent the vast majority of his career developing, improving and operating the Atlas rocket system. He held numerous management positions including Manager of Avionics Systems for the Atlas and Shuttle/Centaur programs, Program Manager for Modern Avionics, and Director of Avionics. He was a leader and mentor to many engineers. Fred was the Director of Atlas Engineering/Technical Management during a very critical time in the mid-1990’s when the Space Systems business was successfully moved from San Diego to Denver. After his time in Denver working for Lockheed Martin, he retired to Valley Center, CA in 1998. He was “thankful for the opportunity to participate in the exploration of our universe.”

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Wicks Kuenzel and their daughter, Elizabeth Kuenzel Snell. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Charles Kuenzel, his brothers, Charles Kuenzel and Robert Kuenzel, and his sister, Elizabeth Kuenzel O’Connell. 

Fred is survived by his daughters, Sarah Kuenzel Castner of Palomar Mountain, CA and Katherine Kuenzel Poulin (Robert) of Poway, CA and his grandchildren, Trevor, Lennay (Kory), Zackary, Elizabeth, and Abigail, and his great-grandchildren, Logan and Brody. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Shirley Fonda of Saratoga Springs and his cousin, Joan Kuenzel Attonito of Monroe, GA, as well as several nieces and nephews. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Constance M. “Connie” Bassani, 95, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Saratoga Hospital.

Born July 2, 1927, in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Paolo and Julia (Stirpe) Spaziani.

In 1944, Connie married Alfred Bassani in Atlanta, GA, and together they raised their family until his passing in 2013.

Connie was employed as a manager at Montgomery Ward in Oneonta for many years. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting blankets, and growing dahlias in her beautiful gardens. In her later years, Connie wrote poetry. Most of all, she will be remembered for her amazing presence and ability to make everyone smile and feel appreciated. She loved her children and grandchildren and was the type of mother that everyone wishes they had. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Connie is predeceased by her brothers Paul Spaziani, Alex Spaziani, and Angelo Spaziani, as well as her sisters Mary Sweeney and Jenny Gaspara.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Alfred Bassani Jr. (Elizabeth), Anne Bassani, and David Bassani (Robert Haren), her grandchildren Christina Bassani Drawdy and Alfred Bassani III (Brittany), her great-grandchildren Austin and Morgan Drawdy, and Blaise and Ava Bassani, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

At the request of the family, there will be no calling hours. Arrangements are in the care of the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward,
NY 12828.

A graveside service was celebrated on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. 

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the residents and staff of Woodlawn Commons for their care and companionship. Connie was extremely happy while she lived there.

Memorial donations in Connie’s name can be made to Woodlawn Commons, c/o Activities Fund, 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.