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Lee James Whitbeck
Mr. Lee James "Jim" Whitbeck, 66, of Sloane Ave., Amsterdam, died Sunday, Feb. 3 at his home after a long illness.
He was born on May 31, 1935, the son of Douglas and Sadie Contine Whitbeck. He was a lifelong area resident and attended local schools.
Mr. Whitbeck was employed by many different newspapers as a route man. He was instrumental in setting up the many different routes for the papers throughout the area.
Mr. Whitbeck was also an accomplished poet. He was a member of the National Poets Society, the North American Poets Society and the North American Poetry Guild where he was published many times for his writings. He received the honor of Poet of the Year in 1996, 1999 and 2001 and is acknowledged for his writings in the Smithsonian Institute.
Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather "big dad," great-grandfather, brother and friend. He loved people and is a forever friend.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Covey Whitbeck, whom he married
on June 21, 1958; three daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah MacDonald of Amsterdam, Felicia and Shawn Waldvogel of Johnstown and Jymmi and James Kapack of Galway; three sisters, Anna Mae Johnson, Flora Cheney and Mary Sanford, all of Amsterdam; six grandchildren, Shawn, Michael, Tiffany, Derek, Alice and Whitney Waldvogel; four great-grandchildren, Shawnie, Kobe, Tiana and Michael Waldvogel; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Margaret Whitbeck, who died in 1983. He was also predeceased by a brother, John D. Whitbeck; and a sister, Catherine Capparello.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. Burial will take place at Green Hill cemetery, Amsterdam, in the spring.
Rita J. Izzo Planch
Rita J. Izzo Planch, 54, of Stella Lane, Amsterdam, went to be with Our Lord on Wednesday evening at her home.
Born in Gloversville on Jan. 12, 1948 she was a lifelong area resident. Mrs. Planch worked as a home health aide in the Amsterdam area for more than 10 years and more recently worked at Bretton Industries.
Mrs. Planch was a member of of the Calvary Assembly of God.
She is survived by her devoted husband, whom she married
on Jan. 16, 1978, Kenneth "Ken" Planch.
Her loving children include three sons: Christopher and Sean, both of Amsterdam, and Stephen of Laguna Beach, Calif.; one brother, Harry Izzo of Mayfield; three sisters, Donna Mazur of Fultonville, Patty Paterak of Amsterdam and Sandra Vincent of Arizona. Four grandchildren, Abigail, Rebekah, Hannah and Sarah, also survive.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Assembly of God, 200 Main St., Amsterdam.
The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of amsterdam, 40 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010.
Agnes W. Brooks
Mrs. Agnes W. Brooks, 101, of Bunker Hill Road, Mayfield, N.Y., died Saturday afternoon at Nathan Littauer Home, following a long illness.
She was born on Oct. 26, 1900 in Wells, N.Y., the daughter of Hamlet and Mary Craig Whitman. She attended West Hill and Wells Central School.
She was a glove worker, employed by Serfis Glove Co., Northville and many other glove companies in the area.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty and husband Harold Person of Mayfield, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Ronald Searle and wife Barb of Fayetteville, N.Y., Brian Person of Mayfield, Dennis Person of Gloversville, Patricia Handy of Syracuse, Wayne Whitney of North Carolina, and William Whitney of Gloversville; several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her first husband, Densmore Graves Brownell, died on June 27, 1953. She then married
Floyd Brooks on Aug. 4, 1964. He passed away on Jan. 31, 1983. She was also predeceased by two daughters, Mary Person and Leona Whitney.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Northville Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Richard Klueg will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Northville Baptist Church.
Rose Pagano Garofaolo
Mrs. Rose Pagano Garofaolo, 88, of Sixth Avenue, Gloversville, died Sunday, Feb. 10, at Northern Westchester Hospital, Mount Kisco, N.Y.
She was born on Jan. 14, 1914 in Johnstown, the daughter of Antonio and Domenica Pagano. She was a member of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Gloversville.
Survivors include her daughter, Marie S. Bueti of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; brother, Joseph Pagano of Johnstown, N.Y., granddaughter, Jodie Lynn Bueti of Mount Kisco, N.Y.; several nieces, nephews and cousins. On Oct. 2, 1938, she married
Anthony Garofaolo, who died on March 11, 1990. She is also predeceased by brothers, Anthony Pagano, Carmen Pagano and Sam Pagano.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place in the spring at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, 149 S. Main St., Gloversville. The Rev. Donald Czelusniak will officiate. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel cemetery. Arrangements are by Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., Gloversville.
Marion S. O'Brien
Marion S. O'Brien, 94, of 28 Ann St., St. Johnsville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, with her family by her side.
She was born on Feb. 1, 1908 in Keck Center, the daughter of the late James and Nancy (Heroth) Sullivan. Marion was the oldest alumni of St. Johnsville High School class of 1923 and also graduated from Canajoharie Teachers Training Class of 1925.
Marion was first married
to William McMahon. She was later married
to Arden O'Brien.
Mrs. O'Brien was first employed as a schoolteacher in Mindenville, then worked for the former Remington Rand during World War II. At one time she was employed at Cherry Burrells as a time clerk and the former Library Bureau. Her last occupation was circulation manager of the Little Falls Evening Times for the town of St. Johnsville from 1974 and retiring in 2000 at the age of 92.
Survivors include her daughter, Melanie "Tiny" Shuster and husband Stanley of St. Johnsville; seven grandchildren, Doreen Shuster, James Shuster, Wayne Shuster and wife, Lori, Arthur Shuster and wife Donnalyn, Karl Shuster and wife Tina, Maureen Black and husband Don and Michael McMahon; 10 great-grandchildren, Heather and Jennifer Shuster, Morgan and Alexander Shuster, Michael, Benjamin and Sean Shuster, Billy Black and Heather and Michael McMahon; several nieces, nephews, special friends, Lou Frezza and Karie Cook and her canine companion of 13 years, Butchie-Chang, her Pekinese dog.
She was predeceased by a son, William McMahon in 1979; two sisters, Marge Wooster in 1990 and Ann Horman in 1997; and a brother, Fred Daniel Sullivan in 1997.
There will be no calling hours. Graveside services will be held at St. Johnsville cemetery in the spring. In keeping with Marion's wishes, cremation will take place under the direction of the Smith-Woody and Enea Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville. All memorial contributions may be made to Ayres Memorial Animal Shelter Inc., 133 Hilltop Road, Sprakers, NY 12166.
Ralph Lynn Preston
Ralph Lynn Preston, 54, of White Birch Estates, Fort Edward, died Saturday, Feb. 9, at Glens Falls Hospital, after being stricken.
He was born on June 17, 1947 in Gloversville. Mr. Preston was a 1964 graduate of Johnstown High School.
He served in the Army from 1966 to 1970.
Mr. Preston was employed with the Fulton County Sheriff's Department from 1973 until 1983. He was last employed with Sarcom of Greenfield Center.
He was active with the American Legion Lake Luzerne Post No. 862. He served as past commander and currently served as fourth district commander. He was a past member of Johnstown VFW, a member of Johnstown St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4 F and AM and Cypress Shrine.
Survivors include his wife, Susan Karcher Preston, whom he married
on Aug. 24, 2001; one son, Ralph Lynn Preston Jr. of Johnstown; two daughters, Misty Joy Preston and Rebecca Jill Preston, both of Johnstown; two sisters, Kimberly Kitchen of Johnstown and Patricia Gale Honeycutt of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Gregory S. Preston of Knoxville, Tenn. and Jeffrey M. Preston of Charlotte, N.C.; his mother, June Preston Bentley of Johnstown; his stepfather, Robert W. Bentley of Johnstown; two grandchildren, Jordan M. Preston and Jared M. Preston, both of Johnstown; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Preston was predeceased by his father, Ralph Merwin Preston, who died on Aug. 7, 1977.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at A.G. Cole Funeral Home Inc., 215 E. Main St., Johnstown, where the American Legion Post 862 will conduct a ritual at 7:30 p.m. and members of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4 F and AM will have a service at 7:45 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Rockwell Falls Presbyterian Church, 7 Bridge St., Lake Luzerne. The Rev. James Dodge, his uncle, and his brother, Gregory S. Preston, dean of Lewis Sperry Schafer Theological Seminary, will co-officiate. Burial with full military honors will take place at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to an American Legion post of one's choice.
James A. Barbuto
James A. Barbuto, 51, of Woods Hollow Road, Mayfield, N.Y., died Monday morning at the Albany Medical Center.
He was born on Oct. 8, 1950 in Amsterdam, N.Y., the son of Ruth Sherman Armer and Sam Barbuto. He attended Perth Schools.
He was employed as a truck driver for the Mobile MRI Trailer of St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam Memorial Hospital and Nathan Littauer Hospital. He also was a driver for Cramer Chemical in Johnstown, Cranesville Block Co. of Amsterdam and was last employed by William M. Larned & Sons Sand & Gravel Excavating Co. in Schenectady.
Mr. Barbuto enjoyed scuba diving and was a scuba diving instructor for Fulton-Montgomery Community College. He also loved riding his snowmobile and liked people, especially when having a good conversation.
He is survived by his mother, Ruth Armer of Perth, N.Y.; father, Sam Barbuto of Hudson, Fla.; his beloved companion and financeŽe, Deborah Bombard of Mayfield, N.Y.; sister, Teresa Barbuto of Perth, N.Y.; aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home Inc., 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, where a memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. The Rev. Jack Arnold will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Broadalbin Volunteer Ambulance Corps or to the Kennyetto Volunteer Fire Department, c/o the funeral home.
