G. Jon Chase

RENSSELAERVILLE — G. (Gary) Jon Chase lived a life of public service as a fire chief and a highway superintendent.

“The Town of Rensselaerville has lost a person with a fight to live, a heart of caring, a friend to most, and an extremely hard worker,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He truly was a role model for this community.”

Mr. Chase died at Albany Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, with his family beside him. He was born Sept. 2, 1948, in Seward, N.Y., son of the late Clifford Leslie Chase II and Bernice Hoyt Chase.

Mr. Chase served as fire chief and dishwasher for the Medusa Fire Company, and as president of the Albany County Town Highway Superintendents Association.

For 12 years, he served the town of Rensselaerville as its highway superintendent.

“My dad did this job for 30 years,” Mr. Chase told The Enterprise during his time as highway superintendent. “I’m the fourth or fifth generation in the town doing highways…I know every road. I know every tree in town.”

He said in 2007 that the town had 25 miles of paved roads; now it had 50 paved miles.

On Oct. 17, 1965, he married Joyce Joy Chase of Medusa.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Chase is survived by his children: Gary J. Chase II and his wife, Pamela, of Preston Hollow; Bonnie Gifford and her husband, Roger, of Berne and Rensselaerville; and Bradley Chase and his wife, Renea, of Medusa;

Also surviving are his grandchildren: Danielle Powell III and Clifton Powell, of Greenville; Elizabeth and Parker Chase of Preston Hollow; Henry and Ashley Gifford of Berne; Nicole Chase of Medusa; and his great grandchild, Cyle Powell, of Greenville.Surviving, too, are his brothers: Clifford Chase III and his wife, Janice; Richard Chase and his wife, Carol; twin brother, Barry Mark Chase and his wife, Caroll; Galen Chase and his wife, Rachel; and his sisters: Wanda Clickman; Linda Chase; Melony Shaver and her husband, Doyle.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Chase’s infant brother, Tommie Chase, died before him, as did two of his brothers-in-law: Charles Clickman, Blaine Shaver.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville, with burial at the Medusa Cemetery.

Friends and family may call at the funeral home today, Feb. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Medusa Fire Company, the National Kidney Foundation, or Community Hospice of Albany County.

“The family would like to thank everyone who showed compassion, support, and cared for Jon in some way,” his family wrote. “Sweet peace.”

Condolences may be left at ajcunninghamfh.com.

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Cathleen Mary Loucks

WESTERLO — Cathleen Mary Loucks, a loving mother and devout Christian, died on Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, surrounded by her family. She was 51.

Born on Aug. 23, 1960 to Frank E. and Carol A. (Schottenham) Fox, Mrs. Loucks was raised in Knox and attended Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School.

“She was a homemaker, a housekeeper, and a caregiver before pursuing and achieving her dream of working with families and children,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Mrs. Loucks was a loyal member of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo and a devoted and caring teacher at the Sonshine Christian Preschool.

Mrs. Loucks is survived by her husband Robert J. Loucks, of Westerlo, her daughter, Lisa M. Cavanaugh, of Delmar, her son, Robert A. Loucks of Westerlo, and her grandson Jaden D. Millwood of Delmar.   She is also survived by her mother,  Carol A. King, of Morganton, N.C.,  her sisters Cindy A. Scheuer, and her husband, Tom, of Delanson, Caren M. Galusha and her husband, Michael, of Berne, and Carla J. Dover and her husband, Mike, of Morganton, N.C., her dear friend Phyllis Richardson and her husband, Cliff, of Westerlo, and her ever faithful companion, Jack. She is also survived by many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Her father, Frank E. Fox, died before her as did her sister,  Christina L. LaPosta.

A celebration of her life was held on Feb. 12 at the First Babtist Church of Westerlo.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Westerlo at [email protected] or to Hospice at  communityhospice.org

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Kathleen Hitchman Miller

NEW SCOTLAND — Kathleen ‘Kate’ Hitchman Miller, quiet and steadfast, died on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at her home in New Scotland. She was 85.

Born in Carlisle, Mrs. Miller moved to her husband’s life-long Clipp Road home when the two were wed in 1950.

She worked for several years as a mail carrier and became friends with those along her route, some of whom baked bread for her, said her daughter, Deborah Fuglein. Later, she and her late husband, Albert Miller, ran Superior Housing in Cobleskill, where they sold mobile and modular houses.

Mrs. Miller became a dedicated birdwatcher, looking out for her favorite yellow finches from the window. “They had dinner with the birds,” said Ms. Fuglein of her parents, who had put feeders outside the window near their table.

“She loved to have her family around,” Mrs. Miller’s daughter said. She relished hosting her family for the holidays and doted on her seven grandsons and her granddaughter, who is named after her.

“My father was the one who forced forward, but she always stood by his side,” Ms. Fuglein said. Whether it was milking cows or fixing houses, they were partners. When people would stop by, she remembered, here father would “ultimately invite them in to the house and she would always have enough food to feed any last-minute guest.”

Mrs. Miller is survived by her children, Albert Miller and his wife, Judee, of New Scotland; Deborah Fuglein and her husband, Robert, of Altamont; and Karen Dolen and her husband, Eric, of Howes Cave as well as her siblings, Norma Jean Ordon and her husband, Stanley; William Shafer and his wife, Janice; and James Shafer and his wife, Janice. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Albert Miller III; Randall Miller and his wife, Rebecca; David Miller; Matthew Fuglein; Jonathan Fuglein; Kathleen Dolen; Eric Dolen; and Robert Dolen, and by her great-granddaughter, Cayce Mae Miller.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the New Scotland Presbyterian Church, 2010 New Scotland Rd. with arrangements by the Reilly & Son Funeral Home. Calling hours will be tonight, Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home in Voorheesville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Scotland Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

— Saranac Hale Spencer

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