Archive » February 2026 » Obituaries

Stephen William Freihofer

Stephen William Freihofer worked in the family business, the Freihofer Baking Company, until it was sold at which point he fulfilled his dream of buying a motor home and taking his family on many trips.

Carol E. Flewelling

ALTAMONT — Carol E. Flewelling “dedicated her life to education, family, and faith, leaving behind a profound legacy,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Born on Sept. 20, 1940, in Queens, New York, she died on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland. She was 85.

William W. Vojnar

GUILDERLAND — William W. Vojnar, the owner of Capital District Construction for the past 30 years, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. He was 52.

Mary Elizabeth Koeppe Luidens, M.D.

HOLLAND, Mich. — Mary Elizabeth Koeppe Luidens, a physician beloved by her patients and admired by her peers, raised three gifted children.

She died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Holland, Michigan. She was 72.

Richard J. Willey

GUILDERLAND — Richard J. “Dick” Willey, a Marine, was raised on a farm in Latham and enjoyed living in the Helderberg Hilltowns.

He died peacefully at home in the comfort of his loving wife on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 1 p.m. He was 94.

Roberta S. LeBuis

Roberta S. LeBuis of Barneveld in Oneida County died on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Sunset Nursing and Rehab in Boonville. She was 88.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1937, in Albany, the daughter of the late William and E. Margarette Bryant Stevens. She was a graduate of Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School.

James S. Ambrose

SHUSHAN, N.Y. — James S. Ambrose, a Vietnam War veteran who had a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving, found his greatest joy in serving as a support to his family. 

He died on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Saratoga Hospital. He was 80.

Nicholas Valentine

Nicholas Valentine

WESTERLO — Nicholas Valentine, a vegetable farmer who served his community and loved his family, died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, with his family at his home at 1036 Route 402 in Westerlo. He was 87.

Vaughan M. Simons

ALTAMONT — Vaughan M. (née Fredendall) Simons, a mother who loved local history, died on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Shaker Place Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Colonie. She was 96.

Born in Altamont, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Gladys Keenholts Fredendall. She was the wife of the late Charles C. Simons.

Gordon Lennox Pinney

Gordon Lennox Pinney, a Korean War veteran, was the lead bus mechanic for the Voorheesville schools, and was chief of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Department.

Formerly of Voorheesville, he died on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Newtown, Pennsylvania. He was 92.

David E. Byron

David E. Byron

ALTAMONT — David E. Byron, of Altamont, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and family man, died on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at St. Peter’s Hospital, surrounded by the love of those he quietly spent a lifetime caring for. He was 73.

He was born in Albany and is the son of the late Robert and Gay Byron.

Joan Marie Morrow

Joan Marie Morrow

Joan Marie Morrow, a beloved Berne-Knox-Westerlo bus driver, cherished her family above all else.

Born on May 29, 1946, she died unexpectedly on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 in Fruitland Park, Florida, where she lived. She was 79.