SARATOGA SPRINGS — Charles E. Beers, Jr., passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021.  A Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m., Nov. 20 at Presbyterian New England Congregational Church. A graveside service will be at Greenridge Cemetery, preceding the service at the church at 1 p.m. Online condolences, visit compassionatefuneralcare.com

Michaela A. Mannion-Baruzzi, a long time resident of Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on Wednesday October 27, 2021.  She was born August 18, 1939 in Providence, RI to Daniel and Bertha (Short) Mannion.  After graduating Brockton (MA) High school in 1957, Michaela attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Michaela had a long successful career as a Realtor and Interior Designer.  She loved to travel, and enjoyed Sanibel FL as a winter home and her beloved Cape Cod in the summer.  Michaela is predeceased by her husband Peter.  She is survived by her 6 children and step-children, Daniel Marcil of Olympic Valley, CA, Derek (Brenda) Marcil of Stevenson Ranch, CA, Michaela (Tom) Kelly of Middletown, NY, Lance Baruzzi of Ballston Spa, Krista Baruzzi Wareing (Ken) of Saratoga Springs, Petrea Baruzzi Warneck (Joe Kyle) of Greenville, SC, 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Donald Morningstar Straus passed away on November 6, 2021. Calling hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, November 15, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home followed by funeral home service. Burial with Military Honors at Saratoga National Cemetery to follow at 2:30 p.m. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Carol Marie Gallagher-Bennett passed November 6, 2021. She was born February 28, 1959. Calling hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021 followed by funeral home service at Burke Funeral Home. Burial will be private. Memorial donations to Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation: 10 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Visit burkefuneralhome.com.

MECHANICVILLE — Thomas F. Guilianelli, son of Thomas A. and Diane F. Dwyer Guilianelli and brother of David P. “Hoover” Guilianelli, grandson of the late Thomas and Rose Canonica Guilianelli and the late Francis “Chick” and Eleanor Donnelly Dwyer passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021 in the comfort of his lifelong home surrounded by his family and friends at the age of 54, after a courageous and hard fought 17-month battle with Glioblastoma.

Born May 10, 1967 at Leonard Hospital in Troy, Tom lived his whole life in Mechancville and was a graduate of Mechanicville High School, Class of 1985. He was a loyal and diehard Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan. Tom was employed by FedEx Express in Menands for the past 12 years, where he was well liked and well respected by not only his co-workers but his customers in the Loudonville/Corporate Woods area, which was the territory he covered for the past 5 years. Tom was previously employed by National Graphic Supply Corp., Katzenbach & Warren, and tended bar for numerous years in Albany.

In Tom`s spare time, you could find him listening to his favorite bands The Grateful Dead or The Dead. In his younger years Tom would take his vacation to coincide with their East Coast Stadium Tour and would travel with his best friends attending shows. Tom`s biggest regret was not being able to attend this summer`s show at SPAC due to his illness, but this did not prevent him from missing a show. He would listen and watch the shows on his I-pad from the comfort of his front porch with his best friend Bobby. When not listening to his favorite band, you could catch Tom participating in local cornhole leagues with friends and co-workers or most importantly spending time with family and friends, which were the most important part of his life. Tom found joy with having a good time surrounded by the ones he loved, you would be hard pressed to find someone who did not like Tom. He was a kind and gentle soul, who would put others before himself. Tom may have been a quiet and reserved guy, but once you got to know him, you realized what a big personality he had. Tom would be the life of the party. Tom was also into working out and exercise, and when not spending time enjoying life, he could be found in the gym. Tom was a longtime member of Gold’s/Vent Fitness in Clifton Park and previously of Downtown Fitness in Mechanicville.

In addition to his grandparents, Tom was predeceased by his uncle Alphonse “Fonzi” and aunt Lillian Canonica, who were like grandparents to Tom and his brother, aunt Anna and uncle Anthony “Bubbles” Cimino, aunt Nancy and uncle Julius “Fatty” Marcelle, uncle Anthony “Nookie” and aunt June Guilianelli and uncle Andrew Burke and aunt Colleen Dwyer Wong.

Tom was also survived by his beloved and loyal dog Maverick, who would lay alongside of Tom during his naps, his adored Aunt Nancy Burke, cousins Michele Burke and husband Kevin Sternberg, Kelly and David Gonnelly and their sons Aaron Gonnelly and Ryan Gonnelly and his wife Sabina, Wendy and Lee Smith and their children Hannah and Nathan, his best friends Tim and Sharon Kraszewski, their children Adam Kraszewski, Jade and Jason Kraft and their daughter Reagan, who affectionately referred to Tom as Uncle “TT,” Bob Kraszewski, Jeff Schwartz, Alicia Delafrange, Stacy Salvadore, Michele Izzo, Danny Ferris, Mike and Jess Hipwell and their children Cooper and Kacie. Tom was also survived by many aunts, uncles and friends too numerous to mention.

The family would like to thank the following: The Clifton Park/Halfmoon Ambulance Service, Mohawk Ambulance Service, who transported Tom on his final journey home, the nurses on the 5th floor Neuro ICU, 3rd floor Comfort Care, Dr. Benjamin Bernier and the Security Staff all of Albany Medical Center Hospital, Dr. Justin Juliano, Dr. Susan Weaver and her staff at NYOH at Albany Med and especially Dr. Stephen S. Sgambati, Jr. and his staff , Community Hospice of Saratoga and NYOH of Clifton Park.

A special thank you to Tom`s co-workers at Federal Express and David “Hoover,” co-workers at DeCrescente Distributing and the DeCrescente family for their kind words, messages of support, prayers and gifts they provided during Tom`s fight during his illness, and to his friends Paul and Michelle Mickalonis, who made sure to take care of Tom`s grooming needs while a patient at Albany Med. 

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to his caregivers Johna Farrell and Desiree Teft who provided exceptional care in Tom`s final hours and allowed Tom to return home and pass on his own terms.

Family and friends gathered to remember Tom on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Ave, Mechanicville. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, (St. Paul’s), 121 N. Main St. Mechanicville. 

Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to NYOH of Clifton Park @ newyorkoncology.com or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

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

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michael Martin Mulholland passed away on October 25, 2021.

Calling hours were held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Burke Funeral Home, located at North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Burial was private.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Frank Anthony Spensieri, Sr., 92, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Calling hours and Mass of Christian burial took place Oct. 30, 2021 followed by burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Saratoga Senior Center (saratogaseniorcenter.org/donate/). www.burkefuneralhome.com 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Well known native son Kevin Cummings’ love of life did not come to an end with his untimely death in the early morning hours of October 28, 2021 at his Saratoga home. To the contrary, Kevin’s lifelong passion for living, his indefatigable and inspirational spirit, whether battling cancer or on the football field, and his irrepressible joie de vivre, will live on eternally through all those who loved him and will honor him, as his legacy is well cemented in his Saratoga roots.

Born on October 18, 1956 to the late John E. and Ruth (Smith) Cummings, Kevin was a fixture on the playgrounds of the East Side Rec with his towering presence and dominating skills in football, basketball and baseball, together with his twin brother Keith. From Little League to Pop Warner, and from the gritty pick-up games on the East Side courts, to “Friday Night Lights” in front of a packed house in the iconic old stands of the Rec football field, Kev’s star always shone brightly.

Who could ever forget the amazing run Kev and Keith’s Little League All Star team, along with teammates Chip Williams, Jack Meinhardt, and TK Veitch made in the Summer of ’69?! With a couple of breaks, they were on their way to Williamsport, as they captivated the city. 

As legendary Saratoga High Football Coach Blase Iuliano remarked, “In 1971 we brought up Kevin as a young Sophomore to the Varsity, and it did not take long to see how very special he was. He was not only a gifted athlete, but also extremely competitive, and commanded respect because of his work ethic.” Coach Iuliano went on to talk about Kev and Keith being 3 sport stars throughout high school, and of how that led to their induction into the Saratoga High Hall of Fame. He continued by saying “I was so very proud of Kevin when he became an All American at U Mass, and also when he became a key administrator with Disney in Florida after he graduated.” He spoke proudly about Kevin’s role as the Development Manager for Disney Imagineering of the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa on the massive grounds of Disney World, which was certainly a pinnacle moment in Kevin’s exemplary career. Coach Iuliano closed his remarks by saying “It was a pleasure and honor to know some of Kevin’s siblings, and my heart and prayers go out to them and to all of his many friends who lost one of Saratoga’s finest athletes and best people.”

With Kevin’s larger than life personality, and his impact on so many over the years, it is no wonder that there’s been a tremendous outpouring of love and sadness from people near and far in the days since he was taken from us way too soon. Stories of his kindness and generosity with younger athletes, and of his dry sense of humor and quick wit, which gave him the ability to lift everyone’s spirits and fill a room with laughter, have been oft repeated sentiments. To know Kevin is to love Kevin, and to be his friend is to cherish his friendship. 

Kevin was fortunate to play for Dick MacPherson at UMass, and Coach MacPherson also felt very fortunate to have Kevin as a player. MacPherson had stints as an NFL Assistant, including a stop with the Patriots, and also was later at the helm of the Syracuse Orange, but once when asked how he felt about Kevin, without hesitation he said, “Kevin was the biggest, big play man I ever coached.” That alone speaks to the size of Kevin’s heart and helps to explain why he continued to achieve such success in life.

During his 26-year career with Disney, Kevin logged more frequent flyer miles than anyone else in the large business, per his longtime Executive Assistant and close friend, Diana Hall. He was a Project Manager working with Bill Hanus, whom he greatly respected. Kevin worked on all 4 Disney ships in Italy and Germany, and also worked on the development of the Tokyo Disneyland Resort and the Disney Polynesian Resort, one of their DVC/Disney Vacation Club properties. He also worked on domestic projects at the Disney Vero Beach Resort, California Adventure, Copper Creek @ Wilderness Lodge, a DVC property on the grounds of Disney World in Florida, and he was naturally chosen to lead the development of the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, also a DVC property on the Disney World grounds, with a ringing endorsement from CEO Michael Eisner. As Diana shared, “It is impossible to put into words what Kevin’s career and reputation at Disney were, and the people who loved and admired him.”

In conversations with Keith and several of his and Kevin’s closest friends, one theme about Kev always rose to the top, and that was his love for Saratoga. Kevin and his brother were always traveling to UNH football games, coached by fellow Saratogian and close friend Sean McDonnell. Those were epic road trips organized with Rod Sutton, Tom Roohan and a host of other native Saratogians. If it was the UNH-UMass game, Kevin made the difficult decision to stand alongside his dear Saratoga teammate and friend, despite his love for his alma mater. When it came time to retire, it was a no brainer for Kevin to return to his hometown and purchase a house on Lincoln Avenue. His warm and cozy home was only one block from his beloved racetrack. Shortly after, he soon renovated and utilized all of the designs he honed during his tenure at Disney. 

Although Kevin did not have children of his own, he treated his closest friends’ children like family. These kids loved him in return, including the Rossi children, Sean McDonnell’s and Dave Croasdale’s sons. Kevin’s love and genuine interest in his friends’ children was a nurturing trait which came from Kev’s beloved mom, Ruthie. 

Finally, it must be stated that Kevin brought the same discipline and purpose that he exhibited in business and in sports to his winning battle against cancer. Kevin’s former wife and good friend Darla Ergen Cummings was instrumental in supporting Kevin through all of his treatments in her hometown of Pittsburgh. Kevin was an inspiration to all who were around him at that time, including all of Darla’s family and friends, as well as his family and friends back home. 

Kevin was preceded in death by his older sister and brother, Shelley Ann Cummings and John P. “Jackie ” Cummings, and by his younger brother, David “Satch” Cummings. He is survived by his oldest sister, Diane C. Strong of Bradenton, Florida, twin brother, Keith Cummings of Saratoga, and youngest brother, Christopher M. Cummings of Austin, Texas, as well as his former wife and good friend, Darla Ergen Cummings. Lifelong Saratoga friends Dick Mullaney and Joey Leone were always by his side and will miss their buddy dearly. 

Calling hours for Kevin will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the Wm. J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, November 4, 2021 at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. 

Burial will be private.

At the family’s request, donations may be made in Kevin’s memory to UPMC/Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. 

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Some 28 driving miles east of Montpelier, Vermont, on the west shore of Groton Pond, sits a century-old camp that will never be the same. This is because Astenrogen (place among the rocks), lost on October 23, 2021, its patriarch and proudest occupant, William Douglas Lindsay Jr. Doug, as he was known throughout his 81 years, passed away peacefully in his Saratoga Springs home while surrounded by family. 

Doug was born on March 9, 1940, to Dr. William Douglas Lindsay and Helena Lindsay (Pembroke) in Montpelier, VT. Along with his four sisters, the precocious boy spent his formative years between his two favorite places, home and the family camp on Vermont’s Groton Pond. He attended public school locally before venturing to Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, where in 1962 he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science accompanied by a minor in American History.

It was immediately upon graduation that Lindsay began his life of service. He enlisted in the Army National Guard during the tumultuous Vietnam War epoch, serving six years, before volunteering for and earning membership in the Peace Corps. After, Lindsay began his working life with Dunn and Bradstreet and then the National Institute of Health. During an afternoon hike in 1969, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas suggested Lindsay apply to work for the National Park Service. He did and spent the remainder of his career serving that organization.

His first stop was in 1971 as the National Park Service’s inaugural Site Manager for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Following a successful tour, his responsibilities increased when National Park Service leadership saw fit to place Washington’s most famous monuments and memorials under his tutelage where he oversaw the city’s bicentennial celebrations; a street was named in his honor for his contributions. Next—in a desire to find his way closer to his beloved Vermont—came the superintendent position at Massachusetts’ historic Springfield Armory before capping off a triumphant career as Superintendent of the Saratoga National Historical Park, better known as the Saratoga Battlefield. Here he was responsible for leading the 220th and 225th anniversary celebrations of what most believe was the turning point of the Revolutionary War while simultaneously managing an extensive effort to return to its original state the battlefield‘s vegetation and landscape.

Although Lindsay’s life was filled with numerous professional accomplishments, to him, they were near meaningless when compared to his roles as father, friend, brother, and husband. His wife Sheila Conway of Wilton; daughters Noreen O’Dea (Frank Lyons) of Wilton, Catherine Lindsay of Binghamton, and Meghan Lindsay (Jonathon Molik), also of Wilton; sisters Susan Lindsay (Robert Youker) of Bethesda, MD, Joan Lindsay (William Johnson) of Oxbo, ME, Anne Lindsay of Washington D.C., and Jane Lindsay (predeceased); grandchildren Timothy O’Dea, Chelsea O’Dea, Nicholas Lyons, Madigan Lyons, Ethan Molik, and Kendall Molik; and two great-grandchildren will forever remember him as the most humble, compassionate, empathic, and jovial person they had the pleasure of loving. Whether spitting out dates from esoteric foreign wars amid a dinner of Maryland hard-shell crab, opining on which family of lilac grows best in Vermont during halftime of a Washington Football Team game, to taking his toddler-aged daughters on special camp trips to give Mommy a well-deserved break, or directing family members helping maintain Astenrogen, the incomparable Doug Lindsay left a positive imprint on everyone he touched. His class and character were such that all who met him were better for having done so. 

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, November 4 at the William J Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373). 

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com 

BALLSTON SPA — Augustine Brickhouse, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 25, 2021, at Saratoga Hospital with her family by her side.

She was born on March 28, 1932, in Ossining, NY, the daughter of the late James Smith and Sarah “Belle” Collins Smith. 

Augustine worked at Wesley Health Care in Saratoga Springs as a CNA for many years. 

Augustine enjoyed going to church every Sunday and did daily prayers for hours for her family and friends. She loved playing bingo with her friends every week and loved doing word search puzzles. Augustine had a passion for praying and helping others. To know her was to love her. 

Augustine is survived by her son, Alburn Brickhouse; daughter, Cherrie VanDerburg (William); sister, Sarah Timms; grandchildren, Rahshida Jean, Jose VanDerburg, Connor VanDerburg, Jerome Smith; great-grandchild, Marquis Johnson; extended family and many friends. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Seth Brickhouse; son, Albert Smith; sister, Vivian Smith; brothers, James Thomas, Arthur Smith, and William Smith. 

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, November 1, 2021, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York, with Pastor Steve Harness officiating. 

Family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. 

A graveside service will follow at Greenridge Cemetery, 17 Green Ridge Pl, Saratoga Springs.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Augustine can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or a charity of your choice. 

Due to the ongoing public health concerns of COVID-19, social distancing as well as wearing of a face mask is recommended.

For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com