Author Archives: Express Weekly

Posted on by

Walter Jay Burdick, Jr. – 73

 MECHANICVILLE -Walter Jay Burdick, Jr. of Eighth Avenue passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the Albany Medical Center. He was 73.

Born in Troy on March 9, 1940, son of the late Walter Jay Burdick, Sr. and Agnes (Wilcox) Burdick. He is the husband of Theresa B. (Marche) Burdick, to whom he was married for 54 years.

After retiring from the United States Air Force at the age of 37, Mr. Burdick was a crane operator at the Watervliet Arsenal. He is a past member of the Hillcrest Fire Department and in earlier years he enjoyed bowling and he loved camping and traveling with his family. He was proud to have visited all 50 states.

Survivors in addition to his wife Theresa and mother Agnes include his children, Walter (Bonnie) Burdick III of Utica, Sherry McBride (Maynard Ford) of Melrose and Cathy (Joe) Crispo of Latham, 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild, siblings, Dorothy (Ralph)Pence, Carol Miller, Bob (Barbara) Burdick, Frank Burdick, Kim Evans, Cora(Don) Chaput, Rick Burdick, Agnes(Steve) Barmash and Janet (Eric) Bilik, his son in law Don McBride and dear friend John McBride.

Walter is predeceased by his siblings, Bill Burdick, Marie Mitchell and Elmer Burdick.

Relatives and friends may call from 10-11:30am on Friday, September 6 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 319 Park Avenue, Mechanicville. Funeral Mass will be conducted at 12 noon at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, 121 No. Main Street, Mechanicville. Burial will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery with military honors.

Kindly consider memorials to the Veterans Administration Patient Services, 113 Holland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 in honor of Walter.

Posted on by

Tonko Statement on Anniversary of September 11th

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) released the following statement this evening on the anniversary of September 11th. Tonko will mark the day by attending a remembrance ceremony with Congressional colleagues at the U.S. Capitol, and participating in a USO service project, assembling care packs for wounded, ill and injured service members.
 
“Today is a day to pause and remember those we lost twelve years ago, our first responders who sprang into action, and the brave men and women of our armed services who continue to sacrifice in defense of our great nation. In their honor, we must work together toward a world that is built upon peace and prosperity while rejecting the forces of terrorism and violence.”

Posted on by

Veronica Thompson Callanan – 80

MECHANICVILLE – Veronica Thompson Callanan, 80, of Penrose Ave., died early Saturday morning, August 31, at home, after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer.

A native and lifelong resident of Mechanicville, born Feb. 21, 1933, daughter of the late Britton and Ida Retell Thompson.

A homemaker, Veronica enjoyed listing to music, her doll collection, and playing cards with her family.  Her greatest enjoyment was watching over her six children, their children, and her siblings’ families.

She was a past member of St. Luke’s Church, Mechanicville.

Predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Walter T. Callanan, Sr,  in 2007, along with sister Mary “Babe” Plasencia and brothers Britt, Joe, Bill, Ken, Ed and Fred Thompson.

Survivors include her sons Walt (Brownyn) Callanan, Jr. and Harold “Bill” (Sheila) Callanan both of Stillwater, Britton (Sharon) and John Callanan both of Mechanicville, daughters Sharon (Gary) and Colleen (Dalton) Brunick both of Mechanicville, 15 grand and 17 great grandchildren.  Also her sisters Emma Masterson, Doris Sunkes, Rita Weber Dalaba all of Mechanicville and Elsie Duffney of Stillwater, along with many nieces, nephews and their families.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd at 10 AM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville.  Burial in St. Paul’s Cemetery.  Calling hours at the Funeral Home on Monday from 3-6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga or the American Cancer Society, in loving memory of Veronica M. Callanan. www.devito-salvadorefh.com to leave condolences and for directions.

Posted on by

Waterford-Troy Bridge to be Honored

by Harold Wessell

On September 8 of this year, at Noon in the Soldiers and Sailors Park in Troy, the American Society of Civil Engineers will unveil a plaque recognizing both bridges of the Troy-Waterford crossing as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – an award that since the program began in 1964 now lists at least 260 structures of particular engineering significance. Following is a brief history of this unique  structure.

One day in 1972 this writer, arriving in Dubuque, Iowa, new to town, stepped into a traditional looking tavern to ask some directions.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

 

Posted on by

Teacher Criticizes Test Results

By Michael Bielawski

MECHANICVILLE AUGUST 29 – A routine school board meeting was all the usual through its agenda.  Administrators and teachers discussed special education, class sizes, textbooks, transportation… nothing that elicited much debate.

Then came time for the public to give comments, and the first lady to speak was a parent and teacher.  She came to the microphone with a newspaper in hand, and she didn’t look happy.  She was holding statistics on testing, specifically scores from throughout the Capital Region for the new NY State ELA (English Language Assessment) and math tests.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

 

Posted on by

Historic Jewel in Mystic Seaport

By Sandy McBride

Mystic Seaport has long been on our “bucket list” of places we must see.  My friend Dick Garland told me years ago that I would love it.  Well, we finally made it.  After watching two of our grandchildren perform in the Shoreline Actors’ Collective’s “MacBeth” in Clinton, CT on a Sunday afternoon, we headed for Mystic.  We spent a weather-perfect Monday taking in the myriad sights and delights that Mystic Seaport-the Museum of America and the Sea has to offer.  Dick was right.  We loved it.

Those of you who know me may have already guessed that this will not be just about Mystic Seaport.  I often stumble upon a fascinating side story within the big picture.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper

Posted on by

Marion E. Austin – 93

WHITEHALL:   Marion E. Austin, 93, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2013 at the Glens Falls Hospital following a short illness.

Born on June 26, 1920, she was the daughter of the late James and Margaret (Brooks) Cunningham.

Marion retired from Sherwood Medical in Argyle, New York.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Harold E. Austin, who died in 1987, a sister, Audrey Barbour, a grandson, Shawn Austin and a granddaughter, Katrina Lynn Austin.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Gries Austin and her companion, Dr. Robert Leather of Chatham, two sons, Charles Austin and his wife, Donna of Whitehall and Harold Austin and his wife, Marion of Whitehall; grandchildren, Tina Wilson and her husband, Jon of Minneapolis, Brenda Mahar of Whitehall, Harold Austin and his wife, Jennifer of Whitehall, Charles Austin, Jr. and his companion, Dulci Carr of Whitehall, Greg Austin and his wife, Jodi of Whitehall, Luke Rutten and his wife, Lorri of Gilbert, AZ and Ingrid McClay of Newtown, CT.; many great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  A special thank you to her nieces, Sharon Putorti and  Mary Balsam and her great niece, Kristy Putorti.

Family and friends may call at the Jillson Funeral Home, Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall on Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 4PM to 6PM.

A prayer service will be conducted on Monday, August 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Rev. Rendell Torres, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, officiating.

Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.

A special thank you to the nursing staff at the Glens Falls Hospital 4 West and the staff at the Holbrook Adult Home in Granville.

 

Posted on by

Halfmoon Plans New Layout, Image, and Future

By Michael Bielawski

Sim City, 1989. And you thought it was just a game…

Halfmoon – The Zoning Review Committee of Halfmoon met last Thursday to discuss issues that they believe will shape the town and its image for decades to come. Discussion among members included ‘big box’ (chain) stores vs. ‘mom and pop’ stores, high vs. low density housing, managing river fronts and hiking trails, and the town’s rural image.

To Read More Login To The Weekly Paper