Category Archives: Obituaries

HUDSON FALLS – Leo T. Riley, 67 of Hudson Falls, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Leo was born on April 15, 1956 in Glens Falls and was the son of the late Gladys Mae (Scranton) Riley and John Lawrence Riley, Sr.

Leo grew up in Saratoga Springs and attended Saratoga Springs Schools. He worked for many years as an auto mechanic and also worked with his father at the Saddie Hart Ranch in Saratoga Springs, working with standard bred horses. Leo loved to work on cars and listening to country music. He also enjoyed watching westerns on television.

He is survived by his siblings, John Riley, Jr., Miza VanGundy, Rose Marie Barnes, Virginia Tennant, Mark A. Riley, Daniel Riley, Sr., Peter Riley, Sr., Theron Riley, Lenora Sheff, Joanna Wood; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Lois “Gidget” (Prosser) Perry, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Glens Falls Hospital following a short illness.

Born October 2, 1966, Gidget was the daughter of the late Lee Roy and Lois (Cheney) Prosser, Sr.

Gidget married Leo R. Perry, Sr. on October 29, 2017, in Hudson Falls.  She was a shift manager for Taco Bell in Queensbury. As a hard worker, Gidget gave 19 years of her life to the Taco Bell Corporation.

She enjoyed playing bingo every chance she got. She was a huge fan of horror movies, particularly, The Call. However, her most all-time favorite movies that would play in a continuous loop were the Wizard of Oz, Selena, Grease with John Travolta, and Hocus Pocus. It didn’t matter what anyone else wanted to watch, those were the movie choices. If any one of those video’s wore out from being watched too many times, Gidget would quickly replace them. She enjoyed unicorn figurines, clowns, and porcelain masks. Gidget always had control of the television remote and mastered multitasking while on her cell phone.

More than anything else in the world, Gidget loved and adored her children, grandchildren, husband, and best friend. She would go out of her way for her nieces, and nephews. Gidget’s family was very important to her.

In addition to her parents, Gidget is predeceased by her sister, Wendy Scoville and infant brother, Lee Roy Prosser II.

Left to cherish Gidget’s memory are her husband, Leo Perry, Sr.; her children Tiffany (James) Brayman, Sadie (Mike) Mueller, and Herman Cook, Jr.; her loving grandchildren Austin Brayman, Anthony Brayman, Haillie Brayman, Aiden Mueller, Dustyn Mueller, Julien Mueller, Konor Mueller, Junior Mueller, Shay Bennett, Kayden Bennett, Damien Denes, and Karmny Denes; her sisters, Angel Mechanics, Tanya Smith, and Pam Burlew; and her brothers Lee Roy Prosser, Jr., Nick Prosser, and Roy Prosser. Gidget is also survived by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousin, many friends, her dearest friend, William “Bill” Hogan, and her very special niece, Heather Lynn.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

A Funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. following calling hours.

GRANVILLE – Matthew “Matt” Paul Zagorski of Granville passed away on January 20, 2024. He was 37 years old.

Matt was born on December 2,1986, to Walter and Denise (Rutkowski) Zagorski, at Brookhaven Hospital, in Brookhaven, NY. He was baptized as an infant in the faith of his father and grandfather, as a Lutheran. Matt was doted on by his loving grandparents and enjoyed being part of a close-knit chaotic family. Matt’s family moved to Georgia not too long after his younger sister was born. 

As a teenager, Matt relocated to Hudson Falls, where he met and fell in love with his wife, Jade. They enjoyed a long courtship before fully celebrating their commitment at their wedding in May 2021. We know love never ends.

Matt was a proud family man who always put his children Caleb and Clarissa first. He was passionately proud of them, loving and full of patience, and he was unmatched in his dedication. Matt’s gentle soul extended his love to his beloved fur babies, Zeus, Nani, and Peanut.

Anyone who knew Matt understood that he was kind, loving, compassionate and had the most generous heart. Matt strongly believed in lifting others up and providing opportunities for growth for those who others may judge or shy away from. After Matt graduated from Fort Ann High School, he went on to pursue his degree in Business before successfully owning and operating CMZ Construction. Matt was passionate about bringing his ideas and art to life for his customers and was what some might call a bit of a perfectionist.

Matt’s family and friends will miss his quick bright smile, his contagious laugh, that twinkle in his eye when he was up to something, and his warmth and love more than words can express.

Matt was predeceased by his mother, Denise, his grandparents, Patricia, Walter, and

Lorraine; and his aunt Patricia.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Jade and their two children, Caleb and Clarissa. He is also survived by his grandfather, John, his father, Walter, his father-in-law Floyd, and mother-in-law Lisa.

Matt is also survived by his siblings, W. Adam and Leah (Mike) and his brothers-in-law, Joe, Nicholas, Travis, Floyd, Joshua, and Isaac, and his nephews and nieces, Nathan, Leah Ainsley, Jacob, Mark, Daniel, Ava, Andrew and Alice.

Matt is further survived by his Uncle Glen (Jane) and his Aunt Jan (Kenny), his loving cousins, extended family, and close friends.

A celebration of Matt’s life will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at South Queensbury Fire Department, 409 Dix Avenue Queensbury.

HUDSON FALLS – Doris “Dodie” Hurley, 87, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024, after a brief illness.  She spent the week before her death surrounded by her loving husband and five children.  

Doris was born in Cambridge the daughter of Grace (Nelson) and Milton Gillis and was predeceased by her sister Irene McClellan and brothers Timmy and Jerry Gillis.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ray Hurley, and children Cindi Hurley (Ken Collier) of Atlanta, GA, Jim Hurley (Sherry) of Bel Air, MD, Janet Cicarelli of Hudson Falls, Vicki (Herm “Del”) DelSignore of Glens Falls, and Valerie (Tom) DelSignore of Glens Falls.  She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. 

After graduating from high school, Doris worked for Glens Falls National Bank for five years.  She married Ray Hurley of Granville in 1959, and had five children over the next five years, including two sets of twins.  Once the youngest set of twins entered second grade, she started working for General Electric, and made many dear friends there.  She spent 25 years at GE, retiring when she was 60.  After years of traveling to see friends and relatives in Florida, she and Ray bought a second home there, and split their time between Hudson Falls and Zephyrhills, Florida.

Doris had many talents.  She was an amazing cook and there were always home-made breads, donuts, pies, cakes, cookies and other treats in her home.  She frequently hosted 25 or more relatives for holiday dinners, pulling it off with ease.  While she was cooking, her husband would help with the prep – peeling apples, rolling meatballs, or kneading bread dough.  Her children and their spouses often called her for a favorite recipe, and she finally published these in a binder for all to have.  She was also a skilled crafter knowing how to sew, make quilts, knit, and crochet.  Her daughters had gorgeous dresses and hand-knitted sweaters for elementary school and beautiful outfits for each holiday.  One year she made wool coats with chinchilla collars and a matching muff.  She would often make drapes, pillows, bed-skirts, napkins, table clothes and other home accessories when one of her children would move into their first home.  And all children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have many hand-knitted blankets and hand-stitched quilts that will be cherished for the loving hours she spent making them. 

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of G Wing at Fort Hudson Nursing Home, especially Donna, RN, Shannon, LCSW, and Nicole, RN, NP for their compassionate care over the last three years.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 23 at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

A funeral service will be held at Carleton on January 24 at 12 noon, immediately followed at 2 p.m. a burial service at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

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.