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Griffith B. Lewis
June 9, 2001
Griffith B. Lewis, 98, a longtime resident of Boght Road, Watervliet, died Thursday evening, June 7, 2001 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland, N.Y. Born in Troy, N.Y. on Feb. 23, 1903, he was the last surviving son of 17 children born to the late Griffith Martin and Adelaide Bertrand Lewis.
"Griff," as many knew him, grew up on the family's six-acre farm in Colonie, N.Y. Shortly after marrying a "beautiful Irish Lass," the former Dorothy Kelly from Troy, N.Y. on Aug. 17, 1929, he built his own home on the same property. The couple raised their family and maintained their home there for over 60 years. Their marriage endured for over 71 years until Mrs. Lewis' death on March 12, 2001.
During the Great Depression, Mr. Lewis started his career working along with his father at the Wilcox and Gibbs Sewing Machine Company of Troy, N.Y., rising to the level of manager. Using his skills as a master mechanic, inventor and administrator, he emerged in 1945 to take over as president of Hagaman Industries, a floundering business in Hagaman, N.Y. After four years of success as a manufacturer of recreational and canvas boat products, Mr. Lewis went on to found Barlow Manufacturing Company, Inc., in Amsterdam, N.Y.
For the next 23 years he designed, invented and manufactured many ballistic protective devices for the Department of Defense. His company was one of the only four companies supplying critical protective items to the Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Mr. Lewis held several patents for his inventive use of bulletproof nylon and fuel transport products. For his efforts, Mr. Lewis was cited by the Department of Defense as "Supplier of the Year" by the Chrysler Tank Plant in Detroit, Mich. Remaining loyal to the workers and community of Amsterdam, in 1972 he expanded his company to 150 employees and along with the assistance of this sons, founded Breton Industries, Inc. On any given day, Mr. Lewis could be found working in his office where his walls were adorned with blueprint drawings, patterns and napkin-scribblings of his latest inventions as well as accolades and awards, such as the "Prime Contractor of the Year" from the U.S. Small Business Department, Region 2, sponsored by the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, N.Y. He received the award in Washington D.C. by then-President Ronald Regan and New York State Senator Alfonse D'Amato. Resolutions recognizing his achievement were also received from the New York State Senate and Assembly in special ceremonies. He continued to serve as president of Breton Industries, Inc. until 1987 and remained as an active consultant until his death.
Mr. Lewis enjoyed traveling the world for both business and pleasure. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and traveled around the world in search of wild game. His expeditions ranged from the freezing wilds of Alaska and Canada to the broiling deserts of Kenya ,where he explored and hunted on safari with his sons. Trophies of Kodiak bear, mountain goat, elk, moose and antelope filled his home's family room as a testament to his hunting skill. As a fisherman, Mr. Lewis held a record in Nova Scotia for a single-line catch of a 625-pound tuna fish.
Mr. Lewis was a long-time communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, where he served as parish council member and on various committees. In 1983, sponsored by the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard, DD, Bishop of Albany, Mr. Lewis was installed as a Knight in the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in a ceremony that was held in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. His tireless efforts and unselfish generosity to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him will remain his legacy.
He is survived by his four loving sons and their spouses, G. Richard Lewis and his wife Maryrose of Latham, N.Y., Ronald J. Lewis and his wife Barbara of Yuba City, Calif., Gary T. Lewis and his wife Patricia of Philadelphia, Pa., and Peter A. Lewis and his wife Glenda of Scotia, N.Y.; his cherished grandchildren, Kristin Grice, Karen Schuler, G. Eric Lewis, Randy Lewis, Lorrie Reynolds, Lanceton Lewis, Marielle Martin, Michael, Jason and Jeffrey Lewis; his dear sisters, Mildred Connolly of Troy, N.Y. and Leona Ekstrom of Guilderland, N.Y.; his special nieces and nephew, Mary Beth Pazzula of Niskayuna, Jane Ann Fitzmaurice of Poestenkill and Brother John Wilson, FSC of New Jersey and 13 adoring great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet, N.Y., from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Patrick's Church, Watervliet. Interment will follow in Memory's Garden in Colonie, N.Y. Contributions may be made to the LaSalle Institute Scholarship Fund, 174 Williams Road, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of Griffith B. Lewis.
Frederick J. Weber
June 9, 2001
Frederick J. Weber, 56, of Ferguson Street, Schenectady, passed away at Ellis Hospital on June 7, 2001. He was born on Dec. 4, 1944, in Gloversville, N.Y., a son of the late Frederick Weber Sr. and Ruth Raimo Weber. His mother survives in Gloversville.
Mr. Weber was employed by General Electric Steam Turbine as an assembler for 35 years until his retirement in November 2000.
He was the beloved husband of 36 years of Mary Sickles Weber. She survives him at home.
He leaves behind one loving daughter, Donna Weber, and her fiance, Charles Dailey of Rotterdam; one loving brother and sister-in-law, William and Mary Weber of Gloversville; two loving sisters, Lynne Hinman of Saratoga and Kathleen Brown of Gloversville; one sister-in-law, Caroline Felt of Rensselaer, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to call at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home Inc., 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, N.Y., on Sunday, June 10, 2001, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 11, 2001, at 8:15 a.m. at the funeral home. Immediately following, a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at St. Gabriel's Church, Hamburg Street, Rotterdam. Interment will be in St. Cyril's Cemetery, Duanesburg Road, Rotterdam.
Edward H. Donnelly
June 9, 2001
Edward H. Donnelly, 96, of Trackside Homes, Johnstown, died Friday morning at the Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
He was born in Broadalbin on Dec. 17, 1904, a son of Michael and Lena Edwards Donnelly, and was educated in local schools. Mr. Donnelly resided in Broadalbin since 1947, moving to Ellenton, Fla. in 1980. In 1996 he moved to Johnstown.
At one time, Mr. Donnelly was employed at the former Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam and later worked at the Fulton County Silk Mill for 10 years. He retired in 1972.
Mr. Donnelly was an Army veteran of World War II, and served in the Middle East for three years.
He was a member of the Northampton United Methodist Church at Fish House and a member of the American Legion Post 337 in Broadalbin.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Hattie Putnam, who died in 1989 and Lila Ferguson, who died in 1996.
Survivors include his wife, the former Rose M. Adamec Donnelly, whom he married on Dec. 27, 1941, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be conducted from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, 38 West Main St., Broadalbin. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Northampton United Methodist Church at Fish House, 1605 County Highway 110, Broadalbin, with the Rev. Brad Broyles officiating. Burial will take place in the Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the church in care of Elizabeth Pickering, PO Box 356, Broadalbin, NY 12025.
Alfred Edward Geraghty
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Atty. Alfred Edward Geraghty, 74, of Almond Street, Gloversville, entered into eternal rest on May 16 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady after a short illness.
Mr. Geraghty was born on Nov. 1, 1926 in Little Falls, N.Y. to the late Michael and Anne Geraghty. He attended Gloversville schools until he entered the armed services in World War II. After he returned from Germany, he attended Pennsylvania Military Preparatory School, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1949. At PMPS he was captain of the football and wrestling teams. He was also Cadet captain and won the Soldier's Medal which was presented by Walter Bedell Smith, then ambassador to England.
Mr. Geraghty graduated from Notre Dame with honors in 1952, condensing four years into three. He then attended Georgetown University Law Center where he attained an LLB, LLM and a JD. Mr. Geraghty then returned to Gloversville, where he began his 45-year career as an attorney. In addition to his private practice he served terms as city judge and city attorney.
In 1962 he married the former Emerita McManus of Westport Ireland. Together they raised three sons, Sean of Colonie, Brian of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Ciaran of Albany, and one daughter, Emer Teresa of Albany.
Mr. Geraghty was active in local and church organizations. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Fulton County Democratic Committee and was a third degree in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the parish at Sacred Heart Church and participated in many rosary groups and Right-To-Life activities.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by two grandsons, Seamus and Alfred, three granddaughters, Aine, Bridget and Juliette, one sister, Terry Becker, four brothers, James, Martin, Michael and Brendan Geraghty, and 18 nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the John W. Finocan Inc., 13 Prospect Ave., Gloversville, where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Monsignor Martin Geraghty of St. Francis DeSales, Belle Harbor, N.Y., cousin, will be celebrant. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany, N.Y. 12205, or the American Cancer Society, 1450 Western Ave., Room 101, Albany, NY 12203-3572.
Florence A. Brockhum
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Mrs. Florence A. Brockhum, age 71, of Blanchard Road, Gloversville, died Wednesday morning at home.
She was born on March 27, 1930 in Hadley. On Sept. 27, 1947 she married George H. Brockhum. She and her husband formerly bowled in the Saturday Night Mixers League at both Kobuskie Lanes and Perry Lanes.
She is survived by her husband, George, as well as her daughters, Terrie M. Lazaroff of St. Johnsville and Susan A. Shults of Northville; her son, Wayne M. Brockhum of Tampa, Fla.; her brothers, Burton Frasier Jr. and Everett Blanchard Jr. of Gloversville; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her mother, Jenny Allen Merrill; and her sister, Loretta Ingraham.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home Inc., 51 Fremont St., Gloversville, where a memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. The Rev. R.W. Williams, chaplain of Mountain Valley Hospice, will officiate. Cremation will take place at Park View Crematorium, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 73 N. Main St., Gloversville, NY 12078, or the American Lung Association, 587 Main St., Suite 109, New York Mills, NY 13417.
Robert D. Goguen
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Mr. Robert D. Goguen, 83, of Johnstown, died Tuesday, May 15, at home after being stricken.
He was born on May 29, 1917 in Fitchburg, Mass., the son of Daniel and Mary Sullivan Goguen.
Mr. Goguen was a World War II Army veteran.
He was employed with the Freihofer Bakery in Albany for many years, before he moved to the Johnstown area. Recently he was employed with the Lexington Community Services meals on wheels program.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Cole, whom he married in 1963; three sons, Matthew Goguen of Saratoga Springs, David Goguen of Tewksbury, Mass. and Robert I. Goguen of Gansevoort; one daughter, Kathleen M. Goguen of Fitchburg, Mass.; five grandchildren, Conner, Carley, Michael, Daniel and Mary Goguen; nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one son, Daniel Goguen, who died in 1979.
There will be no calling hours. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at 10 a.m. Friday at A.G. Cole Funeral Home Inc., 215 E. Main St., Johnstown. The Rev. James Fitzmaurice will officiate.
It was Mr. Goguen's request to bequeath his remains to the anatomical gift program at Albany Medical College. Burial will take place at Saratoga National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Johnstown Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps Inc., PO Box 523, Johnstown, NY 12095.
