SARATOGA SPRINGS — Robert D. King, 80, passed away Wednesday, January1.

Born in Sharon, Connecticut on January 30, 1933, he is predeceased by his mother Estella King, a son Duane Brackett and the mother of his children Agnes Brackett.

Survivors include one son and four daughters, Debbie Huskie, Robert Brackett (Karen), Sally Pagan, Darlene Knowles, and Terry Chouinard. He is also survived by his significant other Judith Sivik.

Robert was employed by General Foods Corporation for 31 years and Lake Avenue Mobile for 20 plus years. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 until his Honorable Discharge in 1962.

Robert loved to golf, bowl, and travel. He participated in the Student Exchange Program when he was in school and traveled to France. He received multiple medals in school from journalism, student council, and choir. A highlight of his life that he really enjoyed was his experience singing with the barbershop quartet on occasion in Saratoga Springs.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the Nurses and Staff at the Home of The Good Shepard, the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Saratoga Hospital and also Dr. Liebers for all he did for our father in his time of need.

Relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 11 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518) 584-5373. Funeral services will be at noon with military honors at the funeral home. Burial will be private.

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

SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Barbara B. Fortin, 79, passed away on Sunday, January 5 at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Moreau.

Born on July 3, 1934 in Schenectady, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Agnes (Koval) Nikolski. Barbara was also predeceased by her husband Richard Fortin and two sons, Ricky Dave and Chuck Fortin.

Barbara worked at Skidmore College in housekeeping and after her retirement she volunteered as a foster grandmother at the Greenberg Child Care Center at Skidmore. She enjoyed plants, long rides to get ice cream and watching CSI and Law and Order.

Survivors include her daughters, Kathy Stevens of Saratoga Springs, Maureen (John) Devine of Hudson Falls, Barbara (Geoff ) Holzhauer of Scotia and Sheri Fortin of  Watervliet; four grandchildren, Christopher Atkins, Jessica Atkins, Vanessa Harpster and Timathy Holzhauer and two great-grandchildren, Zac Hagen and Kaysen Harpster.

The family would like to extend their thanks to all the staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd and Community Hospice Services.

There will be no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Ave. Saratoga Springs.

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

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

GLOVERSVILLE — Julia DiPalma Tropia, 98, passed away on January 7 at Nathan Littauer Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born June 27, 1915, and a lifelong resident of Gloversville, she was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Louis Tropia, her parents, Antonio and Annunziata DiPalma, sister Ruth Granito, brothers Andrew, Mario, and Louis DiPalma and special niece Mary Lou Shepard.

She is survived by her daughters Louise (Robert) Young of Wilton and Ann Larraine Reffue (Buzz Bassette) of Lassellsville; grandchildren: John Reffue of Tampa, Florida, Lorraine (David) Lavender of Marietta, Georgia, Tracy (Christopher) Goodridge or Bridgewater, New Jersey, Douglas (Eliana) Reffue of Hingham, Massachusetts , and Robert (Christine) Young of Katonah;  great-grandchildren:  Thomas and Jessie Reffue, Olen and Aaron Lavender, Jonathan and Marshall Goodridge, Lauren and Sam Reffue,  Grace and Hope Young;  great-niece Lorraine Peck of Rotterdam and her sons Stephen and Eric Peck as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the former Sacred Heart Church and a Friend of the Gloversville Public Library.

Friends are invited to gather for a memorial service at The First Congregational Church, 31-33 East Fulton Street in Gloversville, Saturday, January 11 at 1p.m. Family visitation will be held in the church lounge from noon to 1 p.m. preceding the memorial service.

Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gloversville Public Library, 58 East Fulton Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 or a charity of choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Compassionate Funeral Care Inc. 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Spa (518) 584-4844.

Online condolences can be made at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Doris Venner Haberland, 79, a longtime resident of Colonie, passed away Monday, December 23 at Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, after a long and difficult battle with Dementia. She is now back in the loving arms of her husband, Raymond, who predeceased her in July of 2011.

Doris was born on February 6, 1934 in Schroon Lake to Earl and Dora Venner, “one of the coldest days on record,” as she would tell. Doris moved to Albany at the age of 16 and worked in downtown Albany at Lerner’s and Whitney’s.

She was married to her beloved husband, Raymond Frederick Haberland on May 5, 1952 in Amarillo, Texas, where Raymond was stationed in the Air Force. 

Their married life together spanned 59 years.  They were blessed with three sons who survive her: Steven (Elaine) of Cody, Wyoming, David (Brenda) of Delanson and Mark (Lynn) of Greenfield Center.

She is also survived by her granddaughter Dena (Don) DeLude of Latham and their children Jase and Alana, grandson Shane Haberland of Denver, Colorado, granddaughter Gina Carbone, great granddaughter Daphne and great grandson Nicholas.

Doris was loved by many nieces and nephews, her longtime and best friends Fran Maurel, of Colonie, and Miles and Marilyn Seeley of Schroon Lake. She also had much love for “daughter” Karen (Mike) Gasiorowski of Clifton Park.

Doris was a wonderful, loving and caring woman who had a zest for life, friends and family. She and Ray loved spending their summers in Schroon Lake.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — David W. Keiper, 75, passed away Tuesday, December 31 at Saratoga Hospital.

Dave was born in Brooklyn on March 4^, 1938 to parents Richard and Velma (Wood) Keiper. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High school and started his career as a union sheet metal worker in New York City.

He married Anne Flanagan in 1959 and started his family while pursuing a college education in night school, obtaining his engineering degree from Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute.

Dave served as Deputy Commissioner of Highways for the city of New York from 1970 to 1974. His career then took him to the state capitol where he worked as Director of Operations for the New York state Assembly in Albany until 1982. Dave then served as NYS Commissioner of Bill Drafting in the capitol Building, Albany, until his retirement in 2001.

He was very involved in Brooklyn politics in the 1960s and ’70s and quickly developed a talent for managing campaigns. His work expanded to city and statewide elections. He was instrumental in the successful elections of John Lindsay for NYC Mayor in 1965 and 1969, Hugh Carey for Governor in 1974 and then Mario Cuomo for Governor 1982 and 1986. Dave continued his involvement in New York state politics, managing campaigns for State Senators and Assemblymen all over the State throughout the 1980s.

He moved to Saratoga Springs in 1976 and then lived in Wilton from 1978 until 1989 where he served on the Wilton Town Planning board.  After his retirement, Dave moved to the North fork of Long Island wine country, where he enjoyed the company of many old friends. He then returned to Saratoga in 2012 to be closer to his family.

Dave lived his life to the fullest and had many strong interests and passions, among them his love of great food and fine wines. He was an accomplished cook, creating amazing dishes for his family. Dave was a true patron of the arts, his love of classical music, opera and fine art influenced him throughout his life and travels. He also loved history and travel, seeing many parts of the world numerous times including virtually all of Western Europe and the U.K., Sicily, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, the Mediterranean, Australia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Thailand and many more. His favorite destination was Paris and the wine country of France.

He is survived by his children: Melissa Keiper of Brooklyn, Elizabeth (Doug) Keiper of Brooklyn and Stephen (Sue) Keiper of Wilton; his beloved grandchildren: Nathan Keiper and Nicholas Keiper of Wilton and Lauren Keiper of Brooklyn. He is also survived by his sisters; Suzanne (Martin) Sanders of Campbell Hall and Mary (Dan) Ryan of Chester, as well as his nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dave’s caregiver and friend Gloria Rodeheaver, with whom he developed a remarkable close bond.

Marie Bardino Corsale

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marie Bardino Corsale, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3 at Saratoga Hospital.

A lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, she was born on July 12, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Charles J. Bardino, Sr. and Antoinette Arpey Bardino. Marie graduated from Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1942, and for several years worked as an accountant for Bardino Gas and Oil Company in Saratoga Springs.

She married Francis E. Corsale at the Church of St. Peter on May 4, 1947.  He died on January 1, 1982. She was a communicant of the Church of St. Peter.  In later years she also attended St. Clement’s Church.

She and her husband were the proprietors of the St. Charles Motel and the St. Francis Motel. For many years she and her husband wintered in Miami, Florida. Following his death she resided with her mother in Ft. Lauderdale during the winter months.

She was also predeceased by her sister, Teresa Bardino Nardelli.

Marie was very devoted to her family and will be missed by her surviving brother, Charles J. Bardino, Jr.; two nieces, Marisa Nardelli and Majella Bardino Eastman; two nephews, Charles J. Bardino III and John J. Bardino. She is also survived by three grandnieces and three grandnephews, an aunt, an uncle, and several cousins and in-laws.

The family wishes to express its gratitude for the care she received from the medical and nursing staff of 2D Saratoga Hospital.

Marie Bardino Corsale

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Marie Bardino Corsale, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3 at Saratoga Hospital.

A lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, she was born on July 12, 1924. She was the daughter of the late Charles J. Bardino, Sr. and Antoinette Arpey Bardino. Marie graduated from Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1942, and for several years worked as an accountant for Bardino Gas and Oil Company in Saratoga Springs.

She married Francis E. Corsale at the Church of St. Peter on May 4, 1947.  He died on January 1, 1982. She was a communicant of the Church of St. Peter.  In later years she also attended St. Clement’s Church.

She and her husband were the proprietors of the St. Charles Motel and the St. Francis Motel. For many years she and her husband wintered in Miami, Florida. Following his death she resided with her mother in Ft. Lauderdale during the winter months.

She was also predeceased by her sister, Teresa Bardino Nardelli.

Marie was very devoted to her family and will be missed by her surviving brother, Charles J. Bardino, Jr.; two nieces, Marisa Nardelli and Majella Bardino Eastman; two nephews, Charles J. Bardino III and John J. Bardino. She is also survived by three grandnieces and three grandnephews, an aunt, an uncle, and several cousins and in-laws.

The family wishes to express its gratitude for the care she received from the medical and nursing staff of 2D Saratoga Hospital.

BALLSTON SPA — Dr. Naton D. Leslie, Jr., 57, of Ballston Spa, author and professor of English at Siena College, died Friday morning, December 27, after a long, courageous battle. Professor Leslie was a Kennedy Award winner at Siena College where he was a well-respected faculty member since 1990, specializing in creative writing and literature.

Professor Leslie’s publications include seven books of poetry, a non-fiction work about second-hand culture in America, “That Might be Useful,” and a collection of short stories including, “Marconi's Dream,” which won the George Garrett Fiction Prize. An eclectic and versatile author, Professor Leslie was first and foremost a poet with over 300 poems published nationwide and overseas. He was both an NEA and NYFA fellow. A prolific essayist, his work has been included in Best American Essays and recognized with notable status since 1997. He also leaves behind a large body of work yet to be published.

Born in Warren, Ohio, what was then called the Steel Valley, Professor Leslie put himself through college, earning a bachelor’s from Youngstown State University and a master’s and doctorate from Ohio University.

Though his upbringing he was set amid factory smokestacks. He had strong roots in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania, and these disparate backgrounds are the locales of much of what he wrote. Professor Leslie was also a highly skilled craftsman and woodworker, as well as an expert antique collector and restorer who was never happier than when he was in his workshop, his study, a classroom, or out on an adventure with his basset hound, Melville, and his bloodhound, Flannery.

He spent many happy summers working as a skilled avocational archaeologist at various dig sites in Lake George and Fort Edward.

Professor Leslie leaves behind his beloved wife and soul mate, Susan, of Ballston Spa.; and children, Erin Jackson of Manhattan, Keith Jackson of Glens Falls and Claire Jackson of Rensselaer; also, his mother, Margaret “Peggy” Leslie; sister, LueAnn Morocco (Frank), of Alliance, Ohio; and nephew, Dr. Frank Morocco, Jr. (Rachael); and grandnephew, Dominic of Columbus, Ohio.

He was predeceased by his father, Naton D. Leslie, Sr.

He was loved and will be missed by his family, his many friends, his colleagues, and all those students whose lives he touched.

GRANVILLE — Corinne J. Mulligan, 61, of The Orchard Nursing Home in Granville, died peacefully in her sleep on December 27.

Born on November 27, 1952 in Oneonta, she was the daughter of the late Isaac Shaylor and Betty Shaylor Benge.

Mrs. Mulligan worked for many years as a teacher at the Saratoga Christian Academy until her retirement in 1991.

In her leisure, Corinne enjoyed Needle Point, teaching people needle point and various other crafts. She was a member of the Truthville Baptist Church in Granville.

She is predeceased by her husband Douglas Mulligan, whom she married on July 3, 1971. He passed away on February 26, 2004. Mrs. Mulligan is also predeceased by her three brothers, Richard, Isaac and Robert Shaylor and a sister Felta Bills.

Survivors include two sons: Michael and his wife Tammie Mulligan of Wilton, and Daniel Mulligan and his wife Jessica of Saratoga Springs; a daughter Kelli Lampron of Victory Mills, NY; a brother Gene Shaylor; and a sister Debbie Shaylor. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Kiersten, Samantha, Morganne, Rileigh, Padraic, Ashley, Danny, Lonna and Nathan; as well as a special friend and her roommate at The Orchard, Joyce Rist.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Edna Heyman, 89, of 44 Pepper Lane in Saratoga Springs, died peacefully surrounded by her son, daughter in-law and granddaughter on December 23at her home.

Born on August 19, 1924, in the Bronx, she was the daughter of the late Harry Rosenberg and Fanny Kaufman Rosenberg. She had one brother, Jack Rosenberg, who predeceased her, and is survived by Jack’s daughter, Diane Sporn, and her two children.

A graduate of Evander Childs in the Bronx, and a model and aspiring actress, Edna performed on radio in New York, including the well-received Davey Crockett Show, playing Davey’s wife.  Sublimating an inner passion to be a working woman and see the world, and following a short-lived first marriage to a family-arranged Harvard professor, she reconnected shortly after World War II with her first love, Herbert Heyman, had one child, Steven, and moved to the Long Island suburbs.

However, Edna refused to allow marriage or motherhood to extinguish her passion for people, travel, and the full life experience. Often referring to Brenda Starr as her role model, Edna went on to write extensively for several newspapers, becoming an editor and a columnist. She was also the head counselor of The Girls’ Camp at Camp High Point for several years, where she had met Herb before the war, and chaperoned teen tours to Europe. She and Herb also spent many winters on the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain where she developed many international relationships that she sustained throughout her life.

In her leisure, Edna especially enjoyed bridge, concerts and theater, entertaining, and time with her small family.

Herbert Heyman, her husband of 55 years, died in 2003.

She is survived by her son, Steven, and his wife, Joy Heyman, of Saratoga Springs, and her granddaughter, Nicole Faye Heyman, who currently resides in Brooklyn and works for PBS/POV.

For all of her travels and adventures, she will be best remembered for her ability to listen and render opinions without judging, as well as for her honesty, open-mindedness, storytelling, and wisdom. She was born a people-person and all who met her were the richer for it.

Special thanks to Community Hospice of Saratoga, as well as her nurses, Colleen and Kim.