Author Archives: Express Weekly

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Antonette N. Wixted – 85

MECHANICVILLE – Antonette N. Wixted, 85, of East Saratoga Ave., died Friday, Sept 6th at Saratoga Hospital, after a brief illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at All Saints on the Hudson Church, 121 No. Main St. Internment in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Calling Hours at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St., Mechanicville on Monday from 4 – 7 PM.

In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs, 12866.

To leave condolences and for directions visit :www.devito-salvadorefh.com

 

 

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The Express Newspaper – September 5, 2019

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Ellen Wixted Fondano – 75

MECHANICVILLE – Ellen Wixted Fondano, 75, of Chestnut St, died Wednesday, August 14th at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness.

A private interment service at the Saratoga National Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family.  There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Stratton VA Medical Center, Attn: Patient Activity Fund, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 may be made in memory of Ellen Wixted Fondano.

Visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com to leave condolences for Ellen’s family.

 

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Kathryn “Kay” Cassier – 96

 

STILLWATER – Kathryn “Kay” Cassier, 96, of Stillwater, NY died at her home on Thursday, August 29, 2019.

Visitation will be held at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville NY 12118 on Saturday from 11AM – 12PM.  A service to celebrate Kay’s life will be held at 12PM with Pastor Adam Wiegand officiating.  Burial will follow in the Stillwater Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY  12866, the Stillwater Free Library, PO Box 485, Stillwater NY 12170 or Estherville Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Rd, Greenfield Center, NY 12833.

 

To leave condolences and for directions visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com

 

 

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The Express Newspaper – August 29, 2019

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John T. Thompson, Jr. – 57

MECHANICVILLE – John T. Thompson, Jr, 57, of William St, died unexpectedly in the comfort of his home on Friday, August 23rd.

Military honors and burial will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, August 27th at the Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Those wishing to attend are asked to arrive at the cemetery visitor’s center at 9:45AM. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH  45250-0301 in memory of John Thompson, Jr.

To leave condolences and for directions visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com

 

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Tara Lynn Morelli – 40

MECHANICVILLE – Tara Lynn Morelli, 40 of Harris Ave, died unexpectedly at home Saturday, Aug 17th.

A Memorial service will be held on Sunday at 4 PM at St. Luke’s on the Hill Church, 40 McBride Rd,  Mechanicville.  Calling hours at the Church on Sunday from 2-4 PM. Interment in Hudson View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances would be welcomed for Tara’s daughter and grand daughter in care of the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 So. Main St, Mechanicville, 12118.

To leave condolences and for directions visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com

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The Express Newspaper August 22, 2019

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Town of  Milton approves electronic records,hears presentation on active shooter preparednes

by Harold Wessell

Ballston Spa July 31- The Town of Milton approved use of electronic public records as official, in vote at its monthly business meeting.

According to the resolution adopted, the Town states that public records can be retained either on paper or electronically, as already provided for in provisions of New York State Arts and Cultural Law, Article 57A.

Town of  Milton now retains a very large number of paper records from various departments of the Town; and now  it has the ability and reliability to create and maintain electronic records.

Electronic will be the form of record keeping as of July 31, 2019. As of that date,  the Town Clerk has the ability to deem any electronic record of the town as an official copy.

Active Shooter Training Class

Bill Lewis, Disaster Coordinator for the Town and Deputy Building Inspector, announced the offering of an an active shooter training class on August 12 at 6 PM at 310 Northline Rd.

He explained that the program, sponsored by the Milton Disaster Preparedness Team, was to  highlight, and provide for  basic knowledge, in how to act when a situation ever happens. He explained to the board and audience, “It is presented by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, so it will be a good presentation. It is something that I think will benefit everybody in here; because we're going to shopping malls, schools, work every day ...  and municipalities. It's a training course, about an hour long, that I think will be very informative for the general public.”

He noted that it is posted on the town's Facebook page, and in its webpage,

www.townofmiltonny.org; and one can go online to RSVP. There will be  light refreshments.

Mr. Lewis pointed out as well that the team meets once a month; and by the end of September, or early October,  will be putting out an announcement for CPR and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) training for the public, as well as for first responders. “So look forward to that and it  will be on our Facebook page and website.”

He noted that there is already a resident alert system in the Town of Milton that one  can sign up for in case of a disaster or emergency. “We send out emails and texts. Everybody's welcome; and again you can go to our  webpage, and find it  under Codes and Emergency Alert System.

In addition, he said in late fall the team will  be offering  a defensive driving course, for the general public.

See next week’s issue for a comprehensive report on activities and services, including new directions coming in their services, of the Community Emergency Corps, given by  Executive Director Ray Otten in an address to the Town Board.

Ballston Spa Softball Team Honored

The team according to the  proclamation  scored its way through  the New York State Girls’ Softball Semifinals, making it all the way to the championship round. Also noteworthy, in one game they played 20 innings, breaking the New York State record for the number of innings played a single game.

This year’s Ballston Spa Girls’ Varsity Softball team is the New York State Class A Championship Runner-up for the year 2019, finishing the season with an exemplary 22 to 4 records. It was noted that this is the second consecutive year they made it to the State Championship game.

“Third time is a charm,” Supervisor Ostrander predicted.

 

 

 

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Lost Purple Heart returned to family of WWII recipient – by way of a garage sale

by Harold Wessell

BALLSTON SPA, August 14: The  Purple Heart Medal was issued posthumously for Floyd M. Mabb, who served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 1943 until he was killed in action on January  3,  1945, at age 19.

Had Tammie Mohan not gone to a garage sale two years ago  and bought a purse the medal may never have been found.  About three weeks ago she closely checked a purse she had gotten then, and found in a pocket the medal with his name on the back. Purple Heart medal awarded for his  service that led to injury and death was given to his mother and then disappeared.

She then reached out to the Saratoga County Clerk's Craig Hayner, in hopes of finding Mr. Mabb's family, who as it happens are numerous in the Town of Milton. His name is on the back of the medal but written in cursive. So the Clerk’s office got out magnifying glasses to discover his name.

County Clerk Hayner and his staff were able to locate records in County files regarding  Private First Class Mabb's service. He was also successful in coordinating with other agencies to locate Mr. Mabb's records, notably through the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency, whose staff ironically had been working with nephew and veteran  Lloyd Helman,  to try to gain further records on Floyd through the National Personnel Records Center.

That center, unfortunately explained  agency Director Frank McClement, suffered a massive fire in 1973, that destroyed approximately 80 percent of the records of Army and Air Force veterans who served from World War I, all the way up to 1960s.

The Clerk's office was soon  able to reach out to the family and inform them: Their search had come to an end.

One discovery led swiftly to another, during only about two weeks. Last week the  family of the World War II hero was reunited with his Purple Heart during  an intimate and  moving ceremony on August 14 at  Ballston Spa American Legion Post No. 234.

And so on Tuesday, August 13, Floyd Mabb's nephews Lloyd and William “Bub” Helman were presented with the Purple Heart by Hayner, accompanied by great-niece Wendy Brust, and other close relatives.

Floyd was born in Round Lake on April 12, 1925 to Frederick and Elizabeth Mabb, and had 6 brothers and sisters.  He entered into service in September, 1943, and  served with

the 507th  Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, as a Private First Class.

He was killed in action in Longchamps, Belgium, on January 3, 1945 and lies in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

During the ceremony, reflected Mr. Hayner "Private First Class Floyd Mabb gave his life for our country during his WWII service. I'm honored that we could reunite his family with his Purple Heart Medal and provide additional information about his military service. Today is the culmination of a heartwarming story of community, and exemplifies the importance of honoring the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who've served our Country. "

In remarks by other officials  at the special ceremony:

"Floyd Mabb selflessly gave his life for our Country and I'm happy our community came together to give this symbol of his sacrifice back to his family,"  said Town of Milton Supervisor Scott Ostrander, who presented the County's proclamation on behalf of Chairman Kevin Tollisen of Halfmoon, who could not attend. A proclamation from the Milton Town Board  was read by Councilman John Frolish,

Supervisor Ostrander acknowledged the participation of Councilwoman Barbara Kerr as well; and announced that  the November ceremony in the County's series memorializing a different deceased vet each month since 1999 will be conducted in honor of Floyd Mabb.

"Floyd Mabb of Ballston Spa represented that Greatest Generation," proclaimed state Senator James Tedisco. "I'm proud to honor Private Mabb posthumously for his service to our country and to present his family with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the Senate's highest honor for courage and heroic service to our state and a grateful nation."

The Senator announced the issuance in honor of Floyd Madd of the highest award that members of the New York State Senate can provide for someone: The Liberty Medal. "It's for those individuals who sacrifice at unbelievable levels, for their community, for their state, for their nation, in this case also for their world... On behalf of myself and the New York State Senate, I would like to present this posthumously to the Mabb family in  commemoration of his service and the Purple Heart he was given... Although we could never thank you enough for Pfc. Floyd Mabb, this is the highest I can put forth, the highest award given by the New York State Senate. He will be long remembered, and we appreciate his sacrifice."

After presenting the commemorative plaque from the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Ostrander added: “Lloyd and Bub, I've known you two  all my  life. I'm totally honored to be part of this ceremony."

Two special guests were Purple Heart recipients David Wallingford, and Edward Jordan.

The gathering ended as Hayner presented the Purple Heart to the family.