Category Archives: Obituaries

WEST GLENS FALLS – Robert J. “Rob” Gadway, 52, of the “West End”, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Born November 7, 1971, he was the son of Marcia (Reynolds) Gadway and the late John J. Gadway.

Rob attended South Glens Falls High School. As an avid drum player, he was a proud member of the band ‘Mind Says Rage’. He also played drums for several other local bands in the area. Rob was a diehard ‘rodie’ of the group Doomsday.

He loved his tattoo’s and found it therapeutic whenever he got a new one. Rob was known as a goofball and was always having fun with his family and friends. He could make anyone laugh. He also enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes for his family to try. Anyone who knew Rob knew how much he loved his rescue animals.

In addition to his father, Rob is predeceased by his brothers, Bryan ‘Bumpy’ Gadway and Jeremy Gadway.

Survivors include is loving mother, Marcia (Reynolds) Gadway; his brother Scott (Michelle) Gadway; his sister Carmen Gadway; his four children, Aries (Mary) Keller, Bren Gadway, Kayleigh (Jared) Gadway, and Gavin Gadway; his two great grandchildren and one on the way; and the mother of his children, Jessica. Rob is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and several close friends.

A Celebration of Rob’s life will be held in the Spring.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Angel Alexis “Alex” Agostini, 71, passed away Wednesday,

January 17, 2024, at Saratoga Hospital following a long illness.

Born July 14, 1953, in Guánica, Puerto Rico, Alex was the son of the late Angel Agostini and Carmen Martinez.

Following his graduation from Haaren High School, Alex attended The City College of New York, later enlisting in the United States Air Force where he was a Fire Protection Specialist.

Alex was employed at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock as a corrections office, serving proudly for 37 years. He retired on February 1, 2021.

In addition to his parents, Alex is predeceased by his brothers Robert Colon and Joe Colon.

Survivors include his loving, life partner of 43 years Joel Nicholson of Saratoga Springs; his brother, Albert (Marylou) Quiñones of Oviedo Florida; his sister, Grisselle Nieves of South Glens Falls; his stepfather, Louis Nieves of South Glens Falls; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends who adored Alex.

Services will be conducted at a later date at Gereld B.H. Solomon National Cemetery.

GLENS FALLS – Bella E. Harrington, beloved mother, stepmother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, went to be with the Lord on December 30, 2023, in Hickory, N.C, where she had the blessing of being cared for by her daughter Kellie and family. 

Born April 29,1939, to the late Emile and Charlotte (Patten) Porlier. Bella was the eldest of thirteen.

Bella was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School and grew up in Hudson Falls. She married Leon Richards, and they resided in Argyle where they raised their four children. Bella started her professional career at Freihofer’s’ Baking Company as an office manager. Sometime later she married her second husband Robert Harrington and together they purchased Sully’s East in Glens Falls and started Bella’s Catering and Cakes. Over the next forty years Bella worked hard at taking care of her patrons, catering for many parties and weddings, along with making hundreds of wedding cakes.  

In addition to her parents, Bella was predeceased by her husband Robert Harrington.

She is survived by her children Jeff (Michelle) Richards, Kellie (Butch) Stewart, Mark (Jacquie) Richards, Scott (Nicole) Richards.

Bella was the proud Grandmother of Melinda (Dave) Guyett, Chad (Amanda) Richards, Andrea (Matt) Richards, Elizabeth (Seth) Richards, Rachel Stewart, Megan (Andrew) Stillwagon, Noah and Aaron Richards, Jeanne (Tanner) Richards, Emylou Richards, Makayla Palmer, Jeff Rolleston, Michael (Monica) Rolleston, Matt Rolleston. She was also the proud great grandma to Courtney and Connor Guyett, Kenzie, Mason, and Karlee Richards; Lucas and Gavin Rolleston and three on the way!!!

She is also survived Bob’s four children who she was blessed to have in her life, Terry Mabb, Julie (Dave) Rolleston, Matt (Irene) Rozell, Tammy (Rich) Grimaldi; her twelve siblings, Joe (Mary) Porlier, Art Porlier, Richard (Donna) Porlier, Rosalie Burleston, MaryAnn (George) Sprague, Elaine Porlier, Delia Dwyer, Denise Story, Robert (Diane) Porlier, Janet (Bob) Anderson, Joan Gillingham and John Porlier and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bella made lots of friends along the way and touched the hearts of many people. 

Calling hours will be held on January 26, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main St., Hudson Falls, NY.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Oneida Community Church, 197 Sunnyside Road in Queensbury.

Burial will follow at Pine View Cemetery on Quaker Rd., in Queensbury.

Memorial donations in Bella’s name may be made to the CR Wood Cancer Center at 100 Park Street Pruyn Pavilion, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or a foundation close to one’s heart.

HUDSON FALLS – Larry G. Gray, 82 of Hudson Falls, passed away January 12, 2024, at the Washington Center in Argyle following a brief illness.

Born July 15, 1941, at his family home in Kingsbury, Larry was the son of the late George and Florence (Smith) Gray.

Larry was a graduate of Hudson Falls High School.

Following high school, Larry went right to work. His last job was working as a roofer and driving trucks for Monahan & Loughlin LLC in Hudson Falls.

Larry loved to sit on a bench in Juckett Park working on his search and find puzzles while listening to music. His all-time favorite song was Mustang Sally. He was a great bowler and a was a proud member of the 701 Bowling Club. One of Larry’s favorite hang outs was Broadway Lanes in Fort Edward.

He was a huge fan of local high school basketball teams. At the end of basketball season, some of the teams would sign a card thanking him for being their biggest fan. Larry was a very sentimental man. He saved every thank you card he received from the basketball teams. In addition to the thank you cards, Larry also saved every greeting card, letter or short note his daughter Sara ever gave him.  

In addition to his parents and brothers and sisters, Larry is predeceased by his infant granddaughter, Serenity Elyza Cook.

Larry is survived by his daughter Sara Gray and her fiancé Robert Cook of Glens Falls; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; his good friend Rick Corrigan; and numerous other close friends.

Calling hours will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St. in Hudson Falls.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. following calling hours.

GLENS FALLS – Janet Marie Cook, 79 of Glens Falls, passed away Tuesday morning, January 16, 2024. Born on January 11, 1945 in Glens Falls, she was a long-time area resident and loving mother, sister, grandmother and friend.

Janet had several jobs over the years but most recently worked in housekeeping at Glens Falls Hospital. She loved to fish and enjoyed playing bingo and card games with her family.

Janet is predeceased by a son, Barry Celeste; as well as four brothers and sisters, Larry and Ralph Cook, Alice Hall, Shirley Sweet, and Joyce Schaff.

She is survived by her son, Gerald Celeste, Jr. “JR”; a daughter, Jessica Knight; sisters, Carol Frances, and Marge LeBrun; her grandchildren, Courtney and Brittney Celeste, Barry Celeste, Jr., Joshua Celeste, Jennica Knight, and Timothy Knight, Jr.

A graveside ceremony will be held in the spring at St. Paul’s Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

HUDSON FALLS – Cathy Lillian (O’leary) Kestner, 74, passed away on January 10, 2024 after a long battle with Parkinson’s and dementia. Her final moments were spent peacefully in her home, surrounded by family and close friends.

Cathy was the daughter of George O’leary Jr. and Beatrice (Constantineau) O’leary of Hudson Falls.  She was a long-time member of The Church of St. Mary/St. Paul in Hudson Falls.  

Cathy was a graduate of Hudson Falls School class of 1968.  She married her husband of 52 years, Terry Kestner, on April 3, 1972.  During their marriage, they had two children.  Cathy spent many working years at C.R. Bard and Angiodynamics.  She is fondly remembered by many of her former coworkers.  Cathy also loved being part of organizing and attending her high school class reunions.   

Known for her love of being with her family and friends as well as her collection of gnomes and precious moments, Cathy will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Cathy also enjoyed scrapbooking special family moments and sharing them with all that she knew.  Cathy’s family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Terry Kestner of Hudson Falls, her son Mike Kestner (Patti), son Matt Kestner (Vanessa) of Bolton Landing, her grandchildren Kirstie Fidler, Patrick Kestner (Wendy), Kristian Kestner, sister Joyce Cease (Thomas Wayne) of Palmetto GA, and sister Maureen Rossi (Thomas) of Hudson Falls, and sister-in-law Sharon Jensen of South Glens Falls.  She is predeceased by her parents, George and Beatrice O’leary as well as her sister Lynn Burlett and husband Ray Burlett Sr.  There are also several nieces, nephews, and other family members that were truly loved by Cathy during her time here on the earth.  We thank all her family and friends that visited and cared for her in her final days.

The family would like to thank her caregiver Heather, High Peaks Hospice and William Tedesco M.D., Albany Medical Center Neurology Group Eric Molho M.D., and Irongate Family Practice Paul Filion M.D., for their outstanding care and guidance provided to Cathy and the family.

Calling hours will be held at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls, on Monday, January 15, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and the family invites all friends to attend at that time. A small funeral service will follow the calling hours, and all are invited to attend. Those who wish to attend remotely may log into a google meet at meet.google.com/pbt-ijaa-vuq.

A private burial service will be conducted in the spring at St. Mary’s cemetery in Fort Edward. 

Flowers and memorial gifts are welcome but not necessary. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 , Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, or Shriner’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. 

HUDSON FALLS – Doreen P. Fischer, 63, of Hudson Falls passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Glens Falls Hospital following a brief illness.

Born September 20, 1960, in Connecticut, Doreen was the daughter of Vincent Fischer and the late Judith (Simon) Fischer.

Doreen graduated from Mark T. Sheehan High School in Wallingford, Connecticut.

After vacationing for many years in the Lake George area, in 2003 Doreen made the decision to move to the Glens Falls area from Wallingford, CT. Many of Doreen’s fond memories were made while vacationing in Upstate New York.

Doreen loved the times she spent with her son, Christopher. They would spend countless hours playing board games and card games, but their most favorite games to play were Boggle and Mickey Mouse Yahtzee.

She was predeceased by her mom, Judith (Simon) Fischer.

She is survived by her father and step-mother, Vincent and Theresa Fischer; her son, Christopher Fischer, his wife Laura and their children, Gavin, and Ava of Hudson Falls; and her brother Vincent “Vinnie” Fisher and his wife Lisa of Warrensburg.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

HUDSON FALLS – Peggy Kay (Day) Simpson, 91, slipped softly away, in the comfort of her home in the early hours of December 30, 2023.

Born in Glens Falls on July 13, 1932, the only offspring of Ernest and Helene (Clark) Day. Peggy had an idyllic childhood filled with love, skating, dancing, and playing with cousins Marshall and Jay (Skip) Stone. Surrogate brothers to her, the three remained close, until she was predeceased by each.

Love was not the only thing in abundance in Peggy’s childhood heart and home. She also enjoyed, and soon adopted her mother’s passion and efficiency in filling their house with the smells and tastes of delicious home baked goods. That passion, combined with her work ethic led from school days to a job at a candy store, and later behind the counter in her mother and father’s business in West Glens Falls. They leased Crannell’s Dairy Bar, which featured food cooked by her mother, and ice cream made by her father. Affable and accommodating, Peggy helped make it a place to which customers returned, and she enjoyed the demanding pace of breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.

In the early 50’s, a chance meeting with friends introduced her to Fred Simpson. Two years her junior, and charming, they shared a birthday, and soon the dream of a life together, raising their own family. Fred and Peggy married on June 20, 1954. She continued working at the Dairy Bar until the birth of their third child, at which point all her energies were devoted to providing and caring for her family. Following the death of her father in 1969, Peggy’s care was extended to include her mother. By 1971, all were living in their new home at 32 Elm Street in Hudson Falls where Peggy’s loving care kept her mother, until her passing in 1996.     

By all accounts, Peggy could work circles around most people. So, through losses of beloved friends and relatives, the constant in her life was her work ethic. When Peggy wasn’t cleaning, baking, nursing someone’s physical or emotional wounds, or feeding someone, she did crosswords and cryptograms to keep her mind sharp.

A consummate multi-tasker, her hours spent watching TV found her hands in constant motion crocheting beautifully intricate freehand blankets, which were then gifted to family, friends, and children she’d never meet, yet to whom she could provide comfort.

Over the years, Peggy donated a few shy of 200 child-sized lap blankets to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Springfield MA. Children were welcomed to their temporary rooms by her love in the form of blankets, which they could take home after their stay. In 2017, an article written by Kathy Dede about Peggy’s blanket donations was published in the Glens Falls Chronicle newspaper. This proved to be a great source of pride for Peggy. However, love, not pride, was the force motivating her hands.

Love freely given has a way of returning. In Peggy’s later years, the love she extended in caring for her own mother was returned to her by her son Ernie, along with the help of her daughter Linda, and long-distance support from daughter Susan. A stroke in Peggy’s 90th year forced her work ethic to shift, as strokes have a way of making things once taken for granted, suddenly impossible, without the help of others.

Peggy’s work while in the hospital, and during her rehab stay, was focused on regaining as much independence as possible. Ernie provided selfless air cover, and muscular support in her battle to get back to and remain in her own home. More than anything else in the world, that was where Peggy wanted to be. She planned to get back to crocheting, cooking, doing dishes and housework. Unfortunately, time had other plans, but her grace and sense of humor remained intact. In between apologizing for her inability, while Ernie and Linda helped her get ready for bed one night, she said “It’s a good thing I never beat you…”. Laughter helped the three of them through the day-to-day changes, as her end eased closer. Ernie worked patiently on little sleep, until Peggy’s hands finally rested, as he completed the circle she’d once begun, in caring for her own mother.

The family is eternally grateful to Ernie for the personal sacrifices and 24/7 care given to Peggy which extended the years everyone was able to have with her.

In addition to her parents, Peggy was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Fred; her sisters in law, Constance (Charles Robinson) and Dorothy Burch; her beloved cousins Marshall, Jay, and Ronald Stone; and many other relatives, friends, and neighbors, all of whom Peggy missed dearly, and spoke of often.

Peggy is survived by her three children, Susan (Myron) Klos of Wevertown, Linda Abare and grandson Cody of Fort Edward, and Ernest Simpson of Hudson Falls. She is also survived by her cousin Mary (Bob) Hunsdon of Colorado; several nieces, nephews, and many supportive friends she loved as her own and would have happily adopted, if possible, including Jim Alden, Donna Bourgault, Nancy McDermott, and Tom Ellis.

Near the end of Peggy’s life, the family feels blessed to have had visiting nurses from HCR who were very helpful and comforting. At the end, it was Hilary and Aimee from Hudson Headwaters Homeward Bound Program that made it possible for her to be completely free from pain and anxiety so she could get the rest she deserved and eventually pass away in peace in her own home. Near the end that was all she wanted, and the family is truly grateful to them for making that possible.

Peggy’s family would like to thank the staff of Glens Falls Hospital and aides Frank, Tony, Alyssa, Shay, and Irma at Slate Valley Center for their tender care. Peggy missed and spoke of each of them, right to the end.

Her family also wishes to thank the following special people, Al and Donna (Bourgault) Nielson, Kim (Preston) Kirby, Nancy McDermott and her children; Kim Skol, Tom Ellis and Tom Robinson for their love, generosity, day and night lift assists, home repairs, medical supplies and prescriptions, and special treats like warm donuts retrieved and delivered, and to the special “Egg Fairies” Kim Skol and Kim Kirby.

A special thanks to Peggy’s wonderful neighbors, Ray and Kathy Filipek, Alex Ramos, Benjamin Byrne, and Elizabeth (Krom) Ramos for their love over the years and taking it upon themselves to do the yard work, and snow shoveling so there would be access for ambulances. All of this was a huge relief to Ernie, as he cared for our mom.

A celebration of Peggy’s life will be held in the spring.    

In lieu of flowers, Peggy’s family asks that you donate to a local soup kitchen or simply feed someone you love. Their mom lived for that.

HUDSON FALLS – Michael J. Hermance, Sr., 68, of Hudson Falls, passed away Friday evening, December 29, 2023 at Glens Falls Hospital after a long illness, surrounded by his family.

Born on November 20, 1955 in Glens Falls, he was a life-long area resident and son of the late Robert and Viola Mary (Terry) Bennett. Michael was a graduate of Glens Falls High School. He worked for many years in the paving industry employed by Wells Paving and Coopers Paving, and in his down time would drive a cab.

Michael was a big fan of Wrestling and a die-hard New England Patriots fan. He also enjoyed playing bingo at the local establishments and loved to ride his motorcycle.

In addition to his parents, Michael is predeceased by three sisters, Ann Smith, Mary Foster, and Rebecca Dickinson; and a daughter-in-law, Lisa M. Tougaw.

He is survived by his son, Michael J. Hermance, II. of Hudson Falls; a daughter, Carla Hermance Fish (Robert Cronin) of Hudson Falls; three sisters, Shirley Wysong (Terry), Jackie Woodward, and Elizabeth Bennett Evans; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2023 at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls. Friends may call from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the funeral home prior to the services.