Remembering family and friends
A roundup of notices and services. Look for additional recent obituaries on this newspaper’s website.
Bernadette McDonald Starzyk
TROY - Bernadette McDonald Starzyk passed away on November 29, 2017 at the age of 93. She was born in Niles, Ohio, but Chicopee, Massachusetts and Wynantskill/Troy, New York, were where she made her home.
Bernie was a woman of passion, compassion, humor, and style. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and church.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda Viertel, and her husband, Doug; her daughter, Sharon Gianopoulos, and her husband, George; her son, Joe Starzyk, and his wife, Mary Daigneault; her granddaughter, Stephanie Rogan, and her husband, Davis; her granddaughter, Arin Starzyk, and her partner, James Montano; her granddaughter, Beckyky Starzyk, and her husband, Pere Bascu; and her granddaughter, Sam Starzyk, and her partner, Colby Crossman.
Visitation will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church at 42 Dana Avenue in Wynantskill, NY on Monday, December 4, 2017 at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Rosary Altar Societyciety, 42 Dana Avenue,Avenue Wynantskill, New York 12198.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit NewComerAlbany.com
Diane Marie Skiba
LOUDONVILLE - Diane Marie Skiba, 63 of Loudonville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s in Albany with her loving family at her side.
Born in Jamaica, NY on May 29, 1954, she was the daughter of the late William LoSasso and Marie (Edison) LoSasso of Troy.T She was a graduate of SUNY Potsdam.
Diane was employed in the Capital Region for over 30 years involved in employee services and benefits, as well as the banking industry. She enjoyed arts & crafts, her three cats, dogs and ballroom dancing. Diane loved to travel and she especially enjoyed planning social events for family and friends. She will always be remembered as a generous person who loved helping others.
In addition to her mother she is survived by her two adored sons Gregory Skiba of Cohoes and Trevor Skiba of Loudonville as well as her siblings Barbara Castaldo and William J. LoSasso Jr. both of Troy, her former husband Dennis Skiba and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at St. Peter’s Hospital as well as the staff of the Hospice Inn and the staff of NYOH for all of their care and concern they gave towards Diane.
Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Monday December 4, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham.
Diane’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday December 5 at 10:00 am in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498498 Watervliet-WatervlietShaker Road, Latham with Fr. Geoffrey Burke officiating.
Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
Flowers are accepted and donations to the American Cancer Society 1 Penny Lane Latham, NY 12210 would be appreciated.
For directions, information,tion, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.duf res ne and ca van augh.com.
Frank Joseph Cotrona
COHOES - Frank Joseph Cotrona, 91, of Cohoes. N.Y. passed away on November 25, 2017. Frank was born in Troy, NY, to Rocco and Mary (Centanni) Cotrona on September 23, 1926. He graduated from LaSalle Institute in Troy.
Frank married Dorothy (Dwyer) on November 27, 1946 in Troy. N.Y., after being childhood friends and high school sweethearts. He served in the U .S. Army during WW II, and later had a career in sales. He enjoyed fishing, bowling and spending time with his family and friends. He was a Yankee fanatic, who later became an avid Braves fan.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his brother Louis Cotrona and his grandson Patrick Cotrona. He is survived by his four children; Michael Cotrona of Wynantskill, N.Y.; Frank Cotrona and wife Paulette (Rancourt) of Peachtree City. Ga.; Marianne Manolcff and husband Tom of Schuylerville, N.NYY.;; David Cotrona and wife Anne (Simons) of Jay N.Y.; his sisters Rose Bonelii and husband Louis; and Grace Corina; 11 of his grandchildren: Richard Cotrona of Latham N.Y.; Katrina (Garrett) Lish and husband Rob of Steamboat Springs, Co.; Joseph Garrett and wife Cindy (Aiardo) of Land o’ Lakes, FL.; Kristen Cotrona of Wynantskill, N.Y.; Kate Krumm (Cotrona) and husband Gregory of Broomfield. Co.; Joshua Cotrona and wife Betsy (Hawitt) of Albany, N.Y; Allyson Garrett of Albany, N.Y.; Karen Annis (Cotrona) of Newnan, Ga.; Christian Manoleff of Troy, N.Y.,: Kyle Manoleff and wife Moriah (Perlot) of Norfolk, Va.; Sierra Cotrona of Jay, N.Y.; two greatgrandchildren Gabriella Krumm of Broomfield, Co.; and Ava Annis of Newnan, Ga.: and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are 10am-11 am with a prayer service at 11:00, Friday, December 8th, at the Marra Funeral Home, Cohoes, followed by a burial service at Saratoga National Cemetery,Cemeter 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, at 12:30 SHARP. Friends and family are invited to a reception at 2:00 on Saturday, the 9th at 2 Donna Way, Troy.
Johohn MM KrueglerKl
NORTH GREENBUSH - John M Kruegler, 90, formerly of Waterford, Cohoes and Troy died Friday December 1, 2017 at Van Rensselaer Manor. Born in TroyT he was the son off the late Francis and Catherine Hernburg Kruegler. He was a 1945 graduate of Catholic Central High School and a 1949 graduate of RPI in Troy.
A Civil Engineer, John had been employed at Clough Harbour Associates and retired in 1992. Prior to that he was employed by the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, NYS Dept. of Transportation and New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
An accomplished bridge designer and project manager, John co-authored a book on bridge maintenance for the Pennsylvania DOT and taught courses on structural steel. In the 1960’s, John was active in the Cohoes Citizens Party and served on the City Planning Commission.
John was the husband of the late Doris LaMora Kruegler who died in 1993. He is the loving father of Barbara Klemz of Emeryville, CA, William Kruegler (Margaret) of Troy, Richard Kruegler (Lucie) of San Antonio TX, and the late John and Joseph Kruegler. He is the brother in law of Evelyn VanBuskirk and Margaret Greco and the brother of the late Francis, Joseph, Thomas, James, and Leo Kruegler, Jean Kerwin, Rev. William Kruegler MM, Sister Margaret Kruegler CSJ, Sister Catherine KrKruegler CSJ,CSJ and Sister Loretta Kruegler MM. He is the proud grandfather of Zachary Comtois, Catherine Rose, John, James, Julia, and Kira Kruegler and great grandfather of Adelei. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. from the Philip J. Brendese Fu-Fu neral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte.32), Waterford and at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Waterford. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford.
Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Maryknoll Fathers, 55 Ryder Rd, Ossining, NY 10562.
To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory, visit: Brendesefuneralhome.com
Leonard Stephen Berns
BALLSTON LAKE - Leonard Stephen “Steve” Berns, 74, of Ballston Lake and formerly of Troy, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017.
Private funeral arrangements and burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy were entrusted by the family to the Morris-StebbinsMiner & Sanvidge Funeral Home, 312 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180. Phone (518) 272-3930.
Please visit sanvidgefuneralhome.com