Billetts, Matthew W.
WATERVLIET — Matthew William Billetts, 16, has “gone fishing with Poppy” on Monday, June 13, 2022. He was known to family and friends as “Matt Matt”, “Bubby” and “Mopar Matt”.
Matt was born in Albany on November 10, 2005, and was raised and educated in Watervliet. He was a graduate of Watervliet Elementary School and currently was an eleventh grader at Watervliet High School looking forward to his senior year where he planned on entering the automotive program at BOCES. He was looking forward to starting his summer job at the Watervliet Housing Authority.
Growing up in Watervliet, Matt played in the Watervliet Little League. He also played baseball with the Upstate Rebels travel team and played on the WHS Modified Baseball Team. Nothing was better than going to Brotherhood Park and hanging out with his friends playing basketball and enjoying a “freeze pop”.
Matt had a heart of gold and would assist anyone who needed his help, whether it was a neighbor, whose car was stuck in the snow, providing the right tool for a project or just a smile to brighten a person’s day. He enjoyed riding his bike around the city. When he returned his bottles, he used his hard earned cash to go to Stewarts, Gus’s Hot Dogs and Family Dollar.
Matt would build Matchbox miniature cars, spend weekends at the Lebanon Valley Speedway drag racing with his dad and family. Most of all, he loved fishing more than anything else.
He is the beloved son of Jeremy K. and Melissa A. Ewens Billetts, Sr.; loving brother of Jeremy K. (Megan Carey) Billetts, Jr., and Kaylyn M. Billetts, both of Watervliet; adored uncle of Iyla Elizabeth Billetts; maternal grandson of Wendy Ewens of Rensselaer, and the late William Ewens; paternal grandson of Kevin Billetts, Sr. of Watervliet and the late Elizabeth Billetts; great-grandson to Jose (Priscilla) Martinez, Sr., whom he called grandpa, who he spent weekends with to help him in any way he needed. He is also survived by his best friend, his dog Macie, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Relatives and friends may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, on Saturday, from 2-5 p.m. followed by a remembrance service at 5 p. m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Matthew Billetts Scholarship Fund, c/o Pioneer Savings Bank, 2000 Second Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 or any Pioneer Bank branch.
Condolence book at Parker Brosmemorial.com.
CLIFTON PARK
— Gerald R. “Jerry” Burr, age 82 of Clifton Park, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 11, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Born on March 4, 1940, in Jefferson, Ohio, he was the son of the late Raymond and Catherine Burr.
After graduating from high school, Jerry enlisted in the Navy, and served for seven years aboard the USS Intrepid and USS Enterprise. After the Navy he earned a degree in physics from Ohio University, and spent his career as an engineer at KAPL for 33 years; retiring in 2008.
He was an enthusiastic cyclist, marathon runner, cross country skier, and sailor. He was active with the Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club, serving several terms as president and vice president, and was a frequent ride leader, often starting and finishing the rides in Clifton Park. He served for many years as an assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 30 and as advisor for Explorer Post 30 in Clifton Park.
Jerry was an avid sailor and was a longtime member of the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club. He was a founding member of the Town of Clifton Park Trails Committee and later served on the town’s Open Spaces Committee where he helped to establish a network of bike paths and trails to make the town safer for cyclists and pedestrians. In 2013, Jerry was honored with the Key to the Town after 20 years of service to the community. He was a longtime communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol; children, David and Kathie; brother, Eugene; sisters, Christine and Genevieve; and three grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Catricala Funeral Home Inc., 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral Mass on Monday, at
10 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church. Burial will be in Saratoga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern NY Chapter 1003 New Loudon Road, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047, www.alz.org, or to the Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
To express condolences, please visit www. Catricalafuneralhome.com.