Archive » January 2016 » Obituaries

Edward Lee Ritter

GUILDERLAND — There are family photos of Edward Lee Ritter through the years, holding each one of his many nieces and nephews and, later, their children, said niece Jacqueline Gaffney. The love and care evident on his face in the photographs never wavered in his lifetime. He remained proud and supportive of each one all his life.

Edna Mary Murtagh McCullen

ALTAMONT — A deeply religious woman and mother of “seven little monsters” who taught her own children and many others with love and care, Edna Mary Murtagh McCullen died on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.

Wilkins Hiram “Sam” MacMillen

NEW SCOTLAND — Wilkins Hiram “Sam” MacMillen was an important part of two institutions in town — he was the long-time manager of Thacher Park and, with his brother, he built Tastee Treat Ice Cream.

Dominick Salvatore Rotundo

Dominick Salvatore Rotundo

BERNE — Dominick (Nick) Salvatore Rotundo of Berne was a carpenter who helped build Crossgates Mall, a musician who performed at nightclubs and weddings, and a gardener who shared his bounty with family and friends.

Marvin Edward Kelsch Jr.

KNOX — Marvin Edward Kelsch Jr. of Knox, a Vietnam War veteran who enjoyed outdoor sports, died on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn in Albany. He was 65.

Mr. Kelsch, known to his friends and family as “Skip,” was born on Feb. 14, 1950 to the late Marvin “Dutch” Kelsch and Alice McCumber Kelsch.

William E. Brown Sr.

William E. Brown Sr., who lived for decades in the Helderberg Hilltowns, died peacefully at his Albany home on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016. He was 70.

Nancy McDuffee Chase

Nancy McDuffee Chase, of Ithaca, who worked for the State Department during World War II and later edited Time magazine, died peacefully in Ithaca on her 94th birthday, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016.

“Although Nancy spent much of her time in New York City, she felt Rensselaerville was her home,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Nan K. Lynch

GUILDERLAND — Nan K. Lynch, who showed great perseverance in the face of a four-decade struggle with a slowly progressive disease, died Jan. 8, 2016 at her Guilderland home, with her husband of almost 40 years at her side. She was 64.

Charles Orth Desch

GUILDERLAND — Charles Orth Desch was a man of deep and long-lasting commitments. He met the woman who would become his wife in high school, and he started his excavation business in high school, too. Both of those passions lasted a lifetime.

Mr. Desch died unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. He was 85.

Milton Aaron Klarsfeld

ALBANY — Milton Aaron Klarsfeld, awarded the Purple Heart in World War II, came home to Albany to run a successful business selling then-new televisions, and raised six children with his wife of 69 years.

He died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. He was 93.

Ambrose C. Alberts

CLARKSVILLE — Ambrose C. Alberts, a truck driver who liked to hunt and ride his motorcycle, died on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, with his family at his side. He was 81